The story is captivating and there are actually quite a few. Cross makes an excellent, entertaining case in her work of historical fiction. Pope joan is a figure i was aware of but knew next to nothing about, her existence is surrounded by mystery and so she seems the ideal figure to write a historical fiction novel about. I couldnt stop listening to it, and after i finished i thought more about the carichtors. To think, i bought it months ago, and its sat on my shelf all that time. 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. This actionpacked novel chronicles the life of the alleged female pope that some believe reigned for a few years during the middle ages.
Pope joan quotes showing 125 of 25 as for will, woman should be considered superior to man for eve ate of the apple for love of knowledge and learning, but. Ignatius insight ignatius press fundraisers pope books ignatius. Analysis of pope joan pope joan by carol ann duffy describes pope joan, the only female who reigns and leads the church, loses faith in god. 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. I myself believe the book s contents to have historical accuracy.
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. The life of a 9th century englishwoman who, disguised as a man, rose to become the only woman to sit on the throne of st. Gifted with a thirst for knowledge and the ability to reason, joan soon learns these traits. Denied the priesthood by society s rules, young joan seizes her opportunity to join a monastery when she assumes her murdered brother s identity and takes the. I could go on and on about the storyline and the characters, but suffice it to say that i thought they were terrific. A site dedicated to book lovers providing a forum to discover and share commentary about the books and authors they enjoy. Born in 9thcentury frankland, joan demonstrates her brilliance early but must hide her learning from her missionary father, who considers the education of women sacrilegious and dangerous. 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. In contrast, a professor of history said, i think we shouldnt even think about pope joan at all. With liv ullmann, jeremy kemp, natasa nicolescu, sharon winter. Author donna woolfolk cross writes an interesting tale about what could have been a young girls life in that time.
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. This film when shown in america was called the devil s imposture. Pope joan has recently become one of my most favorite books. Pope joan pope joan audiobook, by donna woolfolk cross. Peter s, 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. Best feature film at ojai and moondance film festivals. When i think of the book pope joan, written by the amazing writer donna cross, i am filled with awe and pride. One in which she is almost a man, a priest who does many almost unbelievable things. The story was widely believed for centuries, but most modern scholars regard it as fictional. 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. Men and women readers will appreciate the historic setting and the stormy early church.
Aunt pollytoms aunt polly, she isand mary, and the widow douglas is all told about in that book, which is mostly a true book, with some stretchers, as i said before. The largest collection of online book summaries, study guides, and lesson plans. Rebelling against the strictures of her agewhich forbade women to learn to read and write joan took the identity of her dead brother and entered a monastery. Content includes books from bestselling, midlist and debut authors. Just as pope joans legend made people doubt the power and religious authority of the catholic church, so raemond thought that queen elizabeth had stolen the true authority of the catholic church in acting as the head. Pope joan donna woolfolk cross, 1996 crown publishing 448 pp. It is a fascinating look at the life of a girl named johanna joan who lived during the 6th century.
In the 9th century, pope joan wore the holy robes for more than two years before her deception was dramatically revealed. The vaticans official records state that all of the more than 260 catholic popes have been men, but according to a medieval legend, a lady pontiff may have. Jun 09, 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. Her story first appeared in chronicles in the th century and subsequently spread throughout europe.
For a thousand years her existence has been denied. Pope joan supposedly reigned, under the title of john viii, for slightly more than 25 months, from 855 to 858, between the pontificates of leo iv 847855 and benedict iii 855858. She is the legend that will not diethe woman who disguised herself as a man and sat for two years on the papal throne. 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. Jim, huck s companion as he travels down the river, is a man of remarkable intelligence and compassion.
The legend of pope joan was recorded by more than just petrarch. Book leaves you with many questions and great discussion. 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. The books validity is controversial in the historical community because pope joan s existence has been wiped clean due to the churchs embarrassment of the clandestine reign of this female as pope for two years. 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. Apr 18, 2017 a retelling of the joan of arc story set in a terrifying near future of environmental and political chaos. Jun 01, 2009 pope joan has all the elements one wants.
The poem starts off with pope joan describing her job as the pope. I guess now is the time when i needed to read the book. The infant joan of ingleheim is born in the year 814 to a saxon woman named gudrun and her english husband, the canon. Todays book is the historical fiction novel pope joan by donna woolfolk cross. A full length film in 1972, entitled pope joan, also presented her as its central character.
Pope joan is referenced in the video game persona 5, as the inspiration for johanna, one of the titular personas cognitive beings used by humans to battle demons belonging to makoto niijima. Use cliffsnotes the adventures of huckleberry finn study guide today to ace your next test. The book follows joan s 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. Bartolomeo platina, the prefect of the vatican library, wrote an excerpt in his book, allegedly at the request of pope sixtus iv, that detailed how joan ascended to the office. 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. A woman of english extraction born in the german city of ingelheim in the ninth century disguises herself as a man and rises through the vatican ranks. Tutored first by her older brother and then a greek scholar, joan eventually secures a place at the schola in dorstadt. 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. Read more about mark twains favorite novel, joan of arc, by clicking here. After a very shocking trauma, joan chose to live in 2 worlds. Legendary church leader a medieval womans companion. Recommending new books each month to spark lively conversation. Pope joan by donna woolfolk cross book club discussion.
Joans father was a member of the clergy during the period in time when it was common for them to. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of pope joan by donna woolfolk cross. But its source, sherburn himself, has just murdered a man in cold blood. Cross does offer some brief historical notes at the conclusion of the novel. 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. At first glance, jim seems to be superstitious to the point of idiocy, but a careful reading of the time that huck and jim spend on jacksons island reveals that jims superstitions conceal a deep knowledge of the natural world and. Sep 30, 2010 pope joan really does have something for everyone. The story of pope joan has all the elements of a ripping good scandal sex, lies, and the holy roman catholic church. Author donna woolfolk cross writes an interesting tale about what could have been a. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 422 pages and is available in paperback format. Free download or read online pope joan pdf epub book.
Sherburn calls the mob out on their hypocrisy, giving a psychological explanation for their false sense of empowerment as a group and a critique of their deficiencies as individuals. 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. Joan disguises herself as a man to enter monestary. Her end notes indicates that life was tougher than what she wrote and that she needed to. Pope joan is a sweeping historical drama set against the turbulent events of the ninth century the saracen sacking of st. Whether you consider the character of pope joan fact or fiction, this story of a brave and strongwilled woman struggling against the restrictions of her time may appeal to you if you enjoy vatican intrigue and are not put off by the brutality of the.
The first edition of the novel was published in 1996, and was written by donna woolfolk cross. I highly recommend pope joan for book clubs who enjoy historical fiction books. This study guide consists of approximately 37 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of pope joan. Born of a dourly pious english priest and his beautiful saxon wife, joan of ingelheim shows an early curiosity and spirit considered unseemly and unnatural for a female at a time when women s brains are considered too small. Set in the brutal dark ages, a time when women were viewed as the root of sin, this novel tells the remarkable tale of one of history s greatest controversies. Jim, hucks companion as he travels down the river, is a man of remarkable intelligence and compassion. Denied the priesthood by society s rules, young joan seizes her. Now in this riveting novel, donna woolfolk cross paints a sweeping portrait of an unforgettable heroine who struggles against restrictions her soul cannot accept. The story was invented for the purpose of saying, women cant be trusted. At least that s what legend and hundreds of medieval records claim. Pope joan, by donna woolfolk cross allison reads on.
Pope joan quotes goodreads meet your next favorite book. Over time joan, disguised as john anglicus, is eventually afforded opportunities at levels of power that most men never reach. Pope joan is a sweeping historical drama set against the turbulent events of the 9th century the saracen sack of st. The true story of pope joan by oliver hayes available from rakuten kobo. This is the most persuasive analysis of society in the novel. However, she sensed that she was the closest to god when she gave birth to her child before dying. At first glance, jim seems to be superstitious to the point of idiocy, but a careful reading of the time that huck and jim spend on jacksons island reveals that jims superstitions conceal a deep knowledge of the natural world and represent an alternate form of truth or. A captivating historical novel, pope joan is an international bestseller. 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. In medieval europe, a pious young woman becomes a scholar of theology, disguises herself as a man, rises through the catholic church hierarchy and is elected pope. Get free homework help on mark twains adventures of huckleberry finn.
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 summary of the wikipedia article on the legendary, if not entirely confirmed, pope joan. The main characters of this historical, historical fiction story are pope joan. With johanna wokalek, david wenham, john goodman, iain glen. Even so, her father begrudgingly allows a visiting religious scholar to tutor joan with her brother.
Oct 16, 2009 a captivating historical novel, pope joan is an international bestseller. Pope joan by donna woolfolk book club discussion questions. She is the legend that will not diepope joan, the ninthcentury woman who disguised herself as a. The story of her papal rise and fall when she gave birth in public on a street in rome has plagued the. Now this compelling novel animates the legend with a portrait of an unforgettable woman who. After having done some extensive research on the subject of a previous female pope, i have come to the conclusion that the character pope joan did exist. Pdf pope joan book by donna woolfolk cross free download. Pope joan book santa clara county library bibliocommons. For many centuries it was accepted almost without discussion that the priesthood, and pastoral work more generally, was. Donna woolfolk crosss debut historical novel, pope joan 1996, is. This film when shown in america was called the devils imposture. In july 2019, a theatric show was held at mdina ditch featuring pope joan as the main character.
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