The idea of a female pope, or really any woman disguising herself as a man, makes for a very interesting book you have to admit that you are curious about how she pulled it off. Why was one joan expunged from history books and the other made a saint. Pope joan is a sweeping historical drama set against the turbulent events of the 9th century the saracen sack of st. Joan s father was a member of the clergy during the period in time when it was common for them to be married and have children. The legend of pope joan in search of the truth by peter stanford was a little difficult to enjoy at first as i was expecting more of a standard history book. Pope joan was a legendary female pope who allegedly reigned for a few years some time during the middle ages. I could go on and on about the storyline and the characters, but suffice it to say that i thought they were terrific. Peters, she went into labour and gave birth to a child at the roadside historically unsubstantiated vocabulary transubstantiate. Free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders. 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.
The poem is a dramtic monologue in which the narrator seems to be talking to an unnamed, invisible listener, explaining her experience of being pope joan. To think, i bought it months ago, and its sat on my shelf all that time. Donna woolfolk crosss debut historical novel, pope joan 1996, is a fictionalized account of the ninthcentury woman who disguised herself as a man, later becoming the first female pope. Jun 01, 2009 pope joan has all the elements one wants. Cross has done a superb job bringing the tale of pope joan to life in this riveting, epic pageturner. If joan had agreed to leave with gerold when he first came to rome, what would her life have been like. Hardly a surprise, given the undeniable morbid curiosity that scandal in high places excites in the masses. Joan enjoyed being pope, but worried when she received news of earthquakes and plagues in italy and france that she had brought misery to europe through her false claim to the papacy. Pope joan, legendary female pontiff who supposedly reigned for more than 25 months, from 855 to 858, under the title of john viii. Pope joan woodcut illustration of pope joan giving birth, hand coloured, c. Pope joan by donna woolfolk cross book club discussion. This movie is based on the medieval legend of pope joan, who was made pope for a brief period around 855 a. Despite her medieval celebrity, most historians now dismiss pope joan as a myth.
Instead this book is actually more about the journalists, the author, own personal search for the truth behind the stories of pope joan, rather than pope joan herself, although she is. I became so interested in the period while reading this book that i found myself researching the legend of pope joan. 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. It is a fascinating look at the life of a girl named johanna joan who lived during the 6th century. Her story first appeared in chronicles in the th century and subsequently spread throughout europe. 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. For a thousand years, her existence has been denied. There are no reliable references to her during her lifetime, and. She is the legend that will not diethe woman who disguised herself as a man and sat for two years on the papal throne. The story of pope joan has all the elements of a ripping good scandal sex. 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.
When it comes to stories of the medieval, i must admit i am limited in knowledge. The story was widely believed for centuries, but most modern scholars regard it as fictional. Aug 31, 2018 despite her medieval celebrity, most historians now dismiss pope joan as a myth. Even so, her father begrudgingly allows a visiting religious scholar to tutor joan with her brother. Pope joan by donna woolfolk book club discussion questions. So if this was real or a legend, i really dont know. Donna cross, a novelist who spent seven years researching the. Which character is publicly skeptical of faustuss powers. Yet he clearly accepted that benedict iii followed leo iv rdp 40. Men and women readers will appreciate the historic setting and the stormy early church history, viking and saracen raids, the collapse of the carolingian empire. Pope joan is a best book club book for discussion about the woman who, disguised as a man, rose to rule christianity as the only woman to sit on the throne of st. For a thousand years men have denied her existencepope joan, the woman who disguised herself as a man and rose to rule christianity for two years. After finishing donna cross novelization of joan s life, one may want her to be a real person, only because it is so gratifying to read about those rare heroes whose strength of vision enables them to ignore the almost overpowering messages of their own historical periods.
For a thousand years her existence has been denied. 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. It looks like we dont have a synopsis for this title yet. She is the legend that will not diepope joan, the ninthcentury woman who disguised herself as a man and rose to become the only female ever to sit on the throne of st. Our reading group recently read and discussed pope joan. Just click the edit page button at the bottom of the page or learn more in the synopsis submission guide. Men and women readers will appreciate the historic setting and the stormy early church history, viking and saracen raids, the collapse of the carolingian empire, and a heroine who would rather give up everything than live without learningthis is the stuff of grand. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of pope joan by donna woolfolk cross. Pope joan has recently become one of my most favorite books. No one knows for sure if pope joan, or pope john anglicus as she called herself, really existed. 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 eventually rises to become the pope. Pope joan is a recommended book by reading group choices.
I guess now is the time when i needed to read the book. Which historical figure does faustus conjure up for the emperor to see. I will only comment briefly on these two, because the musical is based on the book, as is the movie. Sparknotes are the most helpful study guides around to literature, math, science, and more. I loved durrells alexandria quartet but had read nothing else by him. Directed by sonke wortmann, it stars johanna wokalek as joan, david wenham as gerold, her lover, and john goodman as pope sergius ii. As brother john anglicus, joan distinguishes herself as a great scholar and healer. After finishing donna cross novelization of joans life, one may want her to be a real person, only because it is so gratifying to read about those rare heroes whose strength of vision enables them to ignore the almost overpowering messages of their own historical periods. 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. Aug 19, 2015 ninety percent of me thinks there was a pope joan, says mary malone, a former nun who wrote a history of women and christianity.
Recommending new books each month to spark lively conversation. Also sign me up for fanmail to get updates on all things movies. What similarities or differences do you see between pope joan and saint joan of arc. Now this compelling novel animates the legend with a portrait of an unforgettable woman who struggles against restrictions her soul cannot accept. Over time joan, disguised as john anglicus, is eventually afforded opportunities at levels of power that most men never reach. Remote work advice from the largest allremote company. Brilliant and talented, young joan rebels against the medieval social strictures forbidding women to learn to read and write. When alfred the great was a small boy he was taken to rome by king aethelwulf, his father. Sep 30, 2010 pope joan really does have something for everyone.
Constantine ii, and the legendary pope joan as historical examples. Jun 09, 2009 pope joan has all the elements one wants. 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. Buy this book cross makes an excellent, entertaining case in her work of historical fiction that, in the dark ages, a woman sat on the. Author notes in the back of the book are very informative about the dark ages and the church in joans time. The story of pope joan has all the elements of a ripping good scandal sex, lies, and the holy roman catholic church. Barring some act of revelation, he adds, there is no way for christians to know for certain if a pope. In it norwich says he puts pope joan aside as apocryphal only with great regretwhich intrigued me. 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. A rich, delightful little book that brings pope joan to life. Enter your location to see which movie theaters are playing pope joan near you.
Pope joan was the story of johanna, who grew up in germany in. Pope joan donna woolfolk cross, 1996 crown publishing 448 pp. Female travelled to europe, disguised as a monk shows great learning and piety elected pope in around 855 under the name john viii in 857 when, in procession on the way to st. A medieval artistic rendition of pope joan with a papal tiara. Donna woolfolk crosss debut historical novel, pope joan 1996, is a fictionalized. Joan reveals that she took a lover at the vaticanone of her servants. Pope joan is a 1996 novel by american writer donna woolfolk cross. Book leaves you with many questions and great discussion. Helen of troy jesus christ joan of arc alexander the great 17. Pope francis celebrates women in the church and the world, seen through the lens of mary, the mother of jesus, in this enlightening new work. A masterwork of suspense and passion that has as its center an unforgettable woman, the 9th century pope joan. A synopsis of pope joan for a thousand years, her existence has been denied. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics.
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. Find sample tests, essay help, and translations of shakespeare. Now in this riveting novel, donna woolfolk cross paints a sweeping portrait of an unforgettable heroine who struggles against restrictions her soul cannot accept. When nijo asks what the man was like, joan replies only that he could keep a secret. 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. Best feature film at ojai and moondance film festivals. I picked this up after finishing john julius norwichs 2011 history of the papacy, absolute monarchs. Todays book is the historical fiction novel pope joan by donna woolfolk cross.
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