“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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Beautifully written and amazingly believable considering the conditions of the time.
a lot of tired tropes here – you know, the ignorant cruel priest, the wise ladies, the herbs etc., but somehow she did a nice job bringing them together to invent a plausible story for the astonishing legendary Pope Joan.
Interesting history. Well written and researched.
I loved this book. It’s based on a true story in 870…a girl has no rights to education. Joan made her way from a girl in a small town, to a woman in the Vatican. It was a page-turner for me. Religion meets politics…
Historical fiction at it’s BEST!!! The author was very insightful and thorough.
wonderful book showcasing that history has not changed all that much from the 800’s…….church fathers are still so afraid of women that they refuse to give up any power…….despite being the most faithful and the best support that the church has had all through the ages, they are still demeaned and disrespected……the church has not been kind …
It doesn’t matter whether there was really a Pope Joan – it was a wonderful and realistic read I’m not Catholic, but I loved reading about “Joan”.
I loved this book. The main character was so easy to relate to and very original.
A must read, could not put it down!
An intriguing story of how a woman might have become pope during the 9th century as well as a detailed description of life among the common people, in monasteries, and in early Rome, this book combines bits of history into a possible scenario. It is well written and interesting.
Not even one would like this book a it will be a hard read for some and dull in part but it makes you think of how it could be possible.
This thought provoking book really makes you wonder! Joan is a multifaceted character . She is strong and determined and will not take no for an answer. Her drive and ambition are inspiring but also a little scary as she continuously places herself in extenuating circumstances. Yet the tenderness of a woman is definitely present in her …
Interesting and different
Read this book several years ago. Interesting storyline. Just recommended this novel to my book group.
Numerous well-written levels of interaction among very real characters from the past.
Possibly based on fact. Googled it and there were two different accounts which made it all the more interesting.
I’m about half way through this book and I can’t put it down. Well-drawn characters, fast paced plot, not too predictable, and a clear picture of what it might have been like to live 1200 years ago…espevially for an intelligent woman.
I found it to be an interesting subject.
Fascinating book! Loved the premise! Quick read. Smooth.
Love historical fiction