num_pages: 288
description: In the near future world wars have transformed the earth into a battleground. Fleeing the unending violence and the planets now-radioactive surface humans have regrouped to a mysterious platform known as CIEL hovering over their erstwhile home. The changed world has turned evolution on its head: the surviving humans have become sexless hairless pale-white creatures floating in isolation inscribing stories upon their skin.Out of the ranks of the endless wars rises Jean de Men a charismatic and bloodthirsty cult leader who turns CIEL into a quasi-corporate police state. A group of rebels unite to dismantle his iron rulegalvanized by the heroic song of Joan a child-warrior who possesses a mysterious force that lives within her and communes with the earth. When de Men and his armies turn Joan into a martyr the consequences are astonishing. And no onenot the rebels Jean de Men or even Joan herselfcan foresee the way her story and unique gift will forge the destiny of an entire world for generations.A riveting tale of destruction and love found in direst of placeseven at the extreme end of post-human experienceLidia Yuknavitchs The Book of Joan raises questions about what it means to be human the fluidity of sex and gender and the role of art as means for survival.
language: English
title: The Book of Joan
publisher: Harper