JOAN OF ARC

There is a tremendous amount of information and analysis packed into this short book, another installment in the Penguin Lives series. In fact, it sounds like a scholarly monograph. Narrator Mari Devon's voice, though, is not up to the task. She reads the book in a thin, breathy tone that suggests a summer page-turner. Shamelessly overacting at times, she doesn't need to add more drama to one of the most riveting stories in history, especially in light of the fact that Gordon has written it very well. Technically, Devon needs to pay attention to pronunciation and pacing . Her attempts at French are admirable, but her English errors are too noticeable. R.I.G. © AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC/JAN 01]