Joan of the Arcane: A Novel

As a longtime reader and reviewer, I approach contemporary fiction with an appreciation for nuance, interiority, and language that respects the reader’s intelligence. Joan of the Arcane met those expectations in ways that felt both unsettling and quietly compelling. This is a novel that unfolds through lived moments rather than overt plot, inviting the reader to observe how an ordinary life can tilt into something far more precarious.

One of the great strengths of the book lies in its depiction of Joan’s daily world and the small encounters that begin to shift her sense of reality. Early scenes ground us firmly in her domestic routine—morning lattes prepared with near-ritual devotion, Pilates classes, neighborhood walks with her dog, and tense but familiar exchanges with her husband, John. These ordinary moments slowly give way to more disquieting experiences, such as Joan’s growing fixation on online videos that challenge accepted histories and scientific truths. Her late-night viewing habits introduce her to theories about the moon landing, Antarctica, and hidden worlds beneath the earth. These ideas both exhilarate and isolate her.

Joan’s interactions outside the home further reinforce her sense of unease. A new neighbor, Glen, arrives abruptly and under mysterious circumstances, and is guarded in his demeanor. Joan’s dog reacts fearfully to him, and Joan herself senses something concealed beneath his polite exterior. This encounter, brief though it is, lingers in her mind and feeds her belief that danger and deception exist just beneath the surface of suburban normalcy.

Equally compelling are Joan’s encounters with myth and spirituality. She turns to books about dark goddesses, invokes figures such as Hecate and Circe, and performs rituals meant to protect or guide her. These moments are not written sensationally; instead, they feel like a woman grasping for meaning after years of self-suppression. Fleder handles these scenes with care, allowing readers to decide whether Joan is awakening to hidden truths or unraveling under the weight of unresolved longing.

I especially appreciated how the novel portrays Joan’s marriage. Conversations with John often miss their emotional mark, leaving Joan feeling unseen. These exchanges, along with moments of guilt over motherhood and memories of her abandoned music career, give the novel emotional depth and credibility.

Joan of the Arcane will not appeal to readers seeking a fast-moving plot or clear resolutions. However, for those who enjoy character-driven fiction that explores belief, identity, and the fragile boundary between awakening and obsession, it offers a rich and thoughtful experience. The novel stayed with me long after I finished, not because of dramatic twists, but because of how vividly it captured the quiet, unsettling encounters that can reshape a life.