Pope joan is a fictional account based on the legend of a woman who served as pope under the guise of a man in the midninth century. What if the author prefaced it with something like. Peters, the famous fire in the borgo that destroyed over threequarters of the vatican, the battle of fontenoy, arguably the bloodiest and most terrible of medieval conflicts. Legends of a medieval female pope may tell the truth live. Our reading group recently read and discussed pope joan. She is the legend that will not diethe woman who disguised herself as a man and sat for two years on the papal throne. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. For the most part this novel is the story of a young woman, whose desire to gain more knowledge compels her to dress. The book tells the story of pope john viii, the purported female pope who ruled christendom for a period of two years, five months. And now, an analysis of ancient silver coins suggests that. It has subsequently been proved that a gap of only a few weeks fell between pope leo iv and pope benedict iii and that the story is entirely apocryphal. Cross is at work on a new novel set in 17th century france.
The book tells the story of pope john viii, the purported female pope who ruled christendom for a period of two years, five months and four days in the middle of the ninth century. A synopsis of pope joan for a thousand years, her existence has been denied. Pope joan is the story of a medievalera young woman who is intellectually brilliant and motivated in her desire to learn all she can about religion and medicine. I couldnt stop listening to it, and after i finished i thought more about the carichtors. Pope joan has all the elements one wants in a historical drama love, sex, violence, duplicity, and longburied secrets. The legend of pope joan by rachel dax is a genderbending, pansexual, theological extravaganza in three parts. A site dedicated to book lovers providing a forum to discover and share commentary about the books and authors they enjoy. After a very shocking trauma, joan chose to live in 2 worlds. I did read the authors notes prior to beginning the book, and that. Pope joan introduction since 1970 the british public has been treated to several books, a radio drama and a london stage play, asserting that at one time a woman reigned as pope. Pope joan or papissa joanna was originally written and published in 1886 by the greek author emmanuel royidis. The story was widely believed for centuries, but most modern scholars regard it as fictional. It is a fascinating look at the life of a girl named johanna joan who lived during the 6th century. She moved to london, england, after graduation, and worked as an editorial assistant for a small publishing house on fleet street, w.
Jun 01, 2009 in 1973, cross moved to syracuse, new york, with her husband and began teaching in the english department at an upstate new york college. Donna woolfolk cross graduated cum laude, phi beta kappa, from the university of pennsylvania in 1969 with a b. Cross has done a superb job bringing the tale of pope joan to life in this riveting, epic pageturner. That said, i found pope joan to be a wellwritten, thought provoking, and fully engaging novel. Pope joan is a 1996 novel by american writer donna woolfolk cross. Pope joan by donna woolfolk cross book club discussion. She is the legend that will not diepope joan, a controversial figure of historical record who, disguised as a man, rose to rule christianity in the 9th century as the first and only woman to sit on the throne of st.
In this stirring international bestseller, donna woolfolk cross brings the dark ages to life in all their brutal splendor, and shares the dramatic story of a woman. A full length film in 1972, entitled pope joan, also presented her as its central character. The book follows joans entire life, from birth until death, and in a way serves as a tour of the early middle ages from a distinctly feminist point of view. The first edition of the novel was published in 1996, and was written by donna woolfolk cross. If you are interested in learning more about the book and the author, then check out this interview. I guess now is the time when i needed to read the book. Pope joan by donna woolfolk book club discussion questions. Now this compelling novel animates the legend with a portrait of an unforgettable woman who.
Although the position of women in society has changed. Pope joan book by donna woolfolk cross thriftbooks. Donna woolfolk cross wrote the story of pope joan as a work of fiction. Lavishly plotted, the book brims with fairs, weddings and.
Why the legend of medieval pope joan persists smart news. Over time joan, disguised as john anglicus, is eventually afforded opportunities at levels of power that most men never reach. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle. Donna woolfolk cross is the author of word abuse and mediaspeak, two books on language. I was reading a book in french and came across a reference to a pope named jeanne. Pope joan has recently become one of my most favorite books. Medieval legends claim that pope joan was the first and only female pope. She is the legend that will not diepope joan, the ninth century woman who disguised herself as a man. She is now at work on a new novel set in 17th century francemore 33 posts donna woolfolk crosss blog. The legend of pope joanan englishwoman who disguised herself as a man and became pope in the ninth centuryhas been a source of controversy for a thousand years. An extensive author s note at the end contributes to this by asserting that the legend of pope joan was widely accepted as true until the midseventeenth century when the vatican expunged any reference joan in the papal records.
Even so, her father begrudgingly allows a visiting religious scholar to tutor joan with her brother. Now in this riveting novel, donna woolfolk cross paints a sweeping portrait of an unforgettable heroine who struggles against restrictions her soul cannot accept. Are there lessons to be learned from this story whether its true or not. How important is it that pope joan actually existed. The product of seven years of research and writing, pope joan is her first novel. Pope joan book the kansas city public library bibliocommons. In france there appeared marvelous locusts, which had six wings and very powerful teeth. The 14th century writer giovanni boccaccio mentioned her in a book about famous.
The whole point of the story is if you let a woman in as pope, shell goof up. Todays book is the historical fiction novel pope joan by donna woolfolk cross. In this brilliant adaptation of a novel by the 19th century greek author emmanuel royidis, lawrence durrell traces the remarkable history of a young woman who travelled across europe in the ninth century disguised as a monk, acquired great learning, and ruled over christendom for two years as pope john viii before her sudden. Download pdf pope joan a novel free online new books in. Gifted with a thirst for knowledge and the ability to reason, joan soon learns these traits are of little use to a young girl of the ninth century. Reading guide for pope joan by donna woolfolk cross. What better way for catholics to undermine the protestants cause than pretend she never existed.
Perhaps lending credence to the catholic church coverup theory is some new evidence that emerged to support pope joans existence just last year. Pdf pope joan book by donna woolfolk cross free download. The legend of pope joan is probably inaccurate, but it got me to thinking how such a thing could have happened and what the consequences might be. Sep 19, 2018 subscribe book shop travel with us smartnews history science ingenuity. Pope joan, legendary female pontiff who supposedly reigned for more than 25 months, from 855 to 858, under the title of john viii. A conversation with donna woolfolk cross, author of pope joan. Oct 15, 2014 but lets say the book were presented even more clearly as fiction.
Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read pope joan. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 422 pages and is available in paperback format. Reading guide for pope joan by donna woolfolk cross discussion guide for book clubs. Lavishly plotted, the book brims with fairs, weddings and stupendous banquets. Pope joan book johnson county library bibliocommons. Download pdf pope joan a novel free online new books. Best feature film at ojai and moondance film festivals. Nov 14, 2019 in effect, pope joan had become a protestant weapon. Fascinated by her story, but skeptical of its authenticity, british journalist peter. The author, donna woolfolk cross joined us via telephone for our discussion everyone agreed that it was our best ever and pope joan our favorite book so far weve been meeting monthly for over three years and this is the first book that everyone liked. Cross makes an excellent, entertaining case in her work of historical fiction that, in the dark ages, a woman sat on the papal throne for two years.
The story was invented for the purpose of saying, women cant be trusted. Legends of a medieval female pope may tell the truth. In this brilliant adaptation of a novel by the 19th century greek author emmanuel royidis, lawrence durrell traces the remarkable history of a young woman who travelled across europe in the ninth century disguised as a monk, acquired great learning, and ruled over christendom for two years as pope john viii before her sudden and surprising death. Equally informative is the authors note that answers the question was there a pope joan. Pope joan is a sweeping historical drama set against the turbulent events of the 9th century the saracen sack of st. Author donna woolfolk cross writes an interesting tale about what could have been a young girls life in that time. She is the author of two books on language, word abuse and mediaspeak, and coauthor of speaking of words. Women, they say, should be allowed to be ordained as priests.
The first written account of pope joan can be traced to a th century work known as the chronica universalis mettensis chronicle of metz. Content includes books from bestselling, midlist and debut authors. I think we all agreed that we gained some valuable insight into joans story as well as the research ms. Pope joan has all the elements one wants in a historical dramalove, sex, violence, duplicity, and longburied secrets. What are the implications of pope joan s story with regard to the limitations placed on women by the church. The paperback of the pope joan by donna woolfolk cross at barnes. Joans father was a member of the clergy during the period in time when it was common for them to be married and have children. Donna woolfolk cross is one of an increasing number of authors who promote their books on the telephone, in person and on the internet. Sep 16, 2018 medieval legends claim that pope joan was the first and only female pope. Sep 30, 2010 i think we all agreed that we gained some valuable insight into joans story as well as the research ms. One in which she is almost a man, a priest who does many almost unbelievable things. This film when shown in america was called the devils imposture.
Her story first appeared in chronicles in the th century and subsequently spread throughout europe. In 1973, cross moved to syracuse, new york, with her husband and began teaching in the english department at an upstate new york college. I highly recommend pope joan for book clubs who enjoy historical fiction books. The main characters of this historical, historical fiction story are pope joan. And now, an analysis of ancient silver coins suggests that the ordained woman may have actually lived. For the most part this novel is the story of a young woman, whose desire to gain more knowledge compels her to dress up as a man, who due to events beyond her control eventually rises to become the pope. Subscribe book shop travel with us smartnews history science ingenuity. In effect, pope joan had become a protestant weapon. Broadway by donna woolfolk cross and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
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