“Pope Joan has all the elements one wants in a historical drama—love, sex, violence, duplicity, and long-buried secrets. Cross has written an engaging book.”—Los Angeles Times Book ReviewIn this international bestseller and basis for the 2009 movie of the same name, Donna Woolfolk Cross brings the Dark Ages to life in all their brutal splendor and shares the dramatic story of a woman whose … dramatic story of a woman whose strength of vision led her to defy the social restrictions of her day.
For a thousand years her existence has been denied. She is the legend that will not die—Pope Joan, the ninth-century woman who disguised herself as a man and rose to become the only female ever to sit on the throne of St. Peter. Now in this riveting novel, Cross paints a sweeping portrait of an unforgettable heroine who struggles against restrictions her soul cannot accept.
Brilliant and talented, young Joan rebels against medieval social strictures forbidding women to learn. When her brother is brutally killed during a Viking attack, Joan takes up his cloak—and his identity—and enters the monastery of Fulda. As Brother John Anglicus, Joan distinguishes herself as a great scholar and healer. Eventually, she is drawn to Rome, where she becomes enmeshed in a dangerous web of love, passion, and politics. Triumphing over appalling odds, she finally attains the highest office in Christendom—wielding a power greater than any woman before or since. But such power always comes at a price . . .
“Brings the savage ninth century vividly to life in all its alien richness. An enthralling, scholarly historical novel.”—Rebecca Fraser, author of The Brontës
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Excellent history from a time of few historians. Great characters both
Actual and fictional. A worthy read.
interesting take on a strange legend. Very well documented and presented. The author brings a scholar’s mind set rather than a religious one. Refreshing.
Fascinating Historical Fiction, perhaps. It was very interesting history. It could have happened. I enjoyed following this unconventional life. Fascinating for women.
Highly recommend this book. The mix of history and drama is superb. If, as the church claims, there was no Pope Joan there should have been. Sharpest female heroin since Portia in Shakespeare,s Merchant of Venice. Even more eloquent.
I love historical fiction and this one is very good. Was she or wasn’t she an actual person. I’d like to believe she was.
I liked this book. I had never heard of Pope Joan and I was interested in knowing about her life. The book is historical fiction and after doing some of my own research I can appreciate how the author wrote an interesting narrative about someone who is not well known or documented.
Interesting read about a little-known Historical Figure.
Unique and original. Great story.
Excellent retelling of this interesting and believable tale.
Such a good book At the end the question is not could this have happened but you believe it did. Couldn’t stop reading to see what would happen.
Great historical fiction.
This book is about an interesting but little known historic event. Well-written and researched I really enjoyed it.
For anybody who supports feminism, this is a wonderful read.
I never knew that a woman had actually fooled a bunch of men for awhile and acted as Pope. I’m not Catholic – but inspiring anyway.
I love historical novels. This book has interesting history along with a love story…..different all around.
It give life to an old legend, and recreates a brutal time. It presents a theory of how in might have happened. Whether it did or not is not resolved.
Just a GOOD book
One of my top 10 favorite books.
Pope Joan (Pope John) was erased from history but this book gives her due homage. A must read for Catholics!
Very informative @ the early Popes. Was amazed that there was a woman Pope. Catholics should read this book to round out their knowledge of their church. The author has done her job well on researching the period history depicted in the book.