Rating: 
Summary: Well-researched historical fiction
Review: I loved how the book followed every step in Joan's life--the reader is there in the very beginning when she is born and there throughout her whole life. What a marvelous woman! This is a story that you really want to believe in: the thought of such a strong and brilliant woman living under these extraordinary circumstances... there is nothing like it! Joan was subjugated for so many years by her dreadful father and only a precious few knew of her great skill, yet she was strong at an early age and took her life into her own hands. I really admired Joan's way of integrating her Christian teachings with the logic and reason, as well as the religion of he mother's people. She does not see all of these disciplines and institutions as separate entities, but seems to believe in the power of all of them. The misogyny of this era is not really a surprise or a secret, but reading about it in this narrative style really brings it to light--women were treated so poorly and given no opportunities. What kind of place would the world be today if the women had not been silenced all those thousands of years?
Rating: 
Summary: A pleasant if not always believable read
Review: This was an enjoyable read, but it could have been much more. The premise that a woman in the 8th century managed to pass herself off as a woman and even to have become Pope is quite intriguing. It's certainly a believable concept. There are several documented cases of women passing themselves off as men throughout history. Where I have to take issue with the story is that some of the details of Joan's life require just a little too much suspension of disbelief. Joan was born to a minor cleric who was had probably all the hang-ups about women and sex that could possibly be invented by the church at that time. There was the usual; women were the root of all sin, women shouldn't be educated - it's bad for them, women should be kept barefoot and pregnant. It certainly didn't sit well with him that his daughter wanted to learn things other than darning and cooking. The thought of a girl reading Latin just about pushed him over the edge. But at the same time, her father wanted very badly for his son to be well educated and that gave Joan her break. She got her brother to teach her after father taught him. That part of the story rang plausible. When the older brother dies and a tutor is found for the younger brother, the tutor begins to teach Joan because he finds her so eager and intelligent. I can even believe that. Educators are often liberal and willing to overlook the accepted practices of the day. When the story breaks down is when Joan runs away with her brother to attend a school that is run by the church. I find it extremely difficult to believe that this was feasible. Large established institutions are not noted (and never have been) for their willingness to be flexible. Once Joan's brother is killed and she assumes his identity and joins a monastery we're back in the realm of believability. There Joan excels in healing and through a bizarre quirk of fate finds herself at the Vatican taking care of the Pope. From there with some more improbable occurrences, she becomes Pope. Intertwined with this is a story of mostly unrequited love with a man who has no love for his wife and has decided to run away with Joan. Of course he makes this decision just a little too late. Joan's brother has been killed and she's passing herself off as a man and in a monastery. Once Joan is in Rome, they meet up again as he has become a defender of the faith. We're supposed to believe further that because they get stranded during a flood and left alone, they finally consummate their love, resulting in pregnancy for Joan. This is a very Catholic belief, that just one act of sex definitely will result in pregnancy. With all it's short fallings, it's worth a read and not too taxing, so if you have time and want to be entertained, go for it.
Rating: 
Summary: Denarius spent all in one place
Review: While Cross' thorough research deserves recognition, her execution of this novel is merely entertaining, not enlightening. Opportunities for epiphanies about the life and thoughts of women in the 9th century degenerated into rhetorical exercises -- and really, that's preaching to the choir; who's going to buy a book about the legend of a female pope who isn't interested in the historical self-actualisation of women? Joan, the character, suffers from a lack of mischief, while several other characters suffer from a lack of humanity; interludes from the perspectives of a love interest and a competing candidate for the papacy lack difference in tone and so do not add colour to the narrative. For those interested in the lives of transgendered persons, Leslie Feinberg's non-fiction work provides a more compelling read. For those interested in the mysteries and conspiracies of the church of Rome, "The Da Vinci Code" is hot. For those interested in medieval historical fiction, the Brother Cadfael mysteries are pretty good. But unfortunately, "Pope Joan" is just a historical romance, and one without the whorls of illumination--poetry or insight--that could make the book beautiful.
Rating:
Summary: 2 Stars for Idea, -3 Stars for Execution
Review: What a great idea for a book! A female pope! An actual true story! What a bonanza for the author. But despite the early promise of this book, the story dissolves into some insipid dumb romance between our scholar lady character and some guy with some sword. (Who cares!) Yes, I am agreeing with some people here that she seems to have not one blemish upon her character. And her father is hilariously cardboard evil. EGADS! I am so mad at the author for squandering such a great idea for a novel, only to succumb to some re-hased fuzzy hued post-feminist garbage, chick lit conventions when it comes to character, and third rate plot. I guess we will have to wait for another book about "Pope Joan" that will reach the depth of character and artistry that you find in Toni Morrison, A.S. Byatt, and other great women authors. So a word to the author, if you have a great idea, make a great book just as good as that one idea.
Rating: 
Summary: You must read this book!!!
Review: Pope Joan is a wonderfully written book about a woman, who disguises herself as a man and rises up through the ranks to become Pope. Donna Woolfolk Cross dedicated 7 years of research and writing to this book, so she is obviously very passionate and dedicated to spreading the word about Pope John Anglicus, aka Joan. This novel is based on a skeleton of historical information about John (aka Joan) Anglicus.
Ms. Cross will also chat via speakerphone to your book club, of which I have had the pleasure of doing!
Rating:
Summary: History or Fiction? Feminism or Truth?
Review: I bought this book, thinking it was a biography. Disappointed when I saw that it was fiction, it languished on my shelf, unread, for 6 months. Once I began reading it, however, I found it an easy and entertaining read. The myth of a female pope has existed for a thousand years. Donna Woolfolk Cross has written an entertaining novel based on this premise, and allows the reader to step into the 9th century. The Joan of this novel is born of a poor, pious but mean-spirited cleric and his Saxon wife. Joan has a thirst for learning, which is contrary to the teachings of the church at this time. Her thirst leads her into conflict with her father, leaving home to attend school, disguising herself as a man [taking on her brother's identity at his death] and joining a benedictine monastery, going to Rome and serving as the pope's doctor, ultimately becoming a cardinal and then pope. Cross has done an excellent job of background research. The reader accepts being in the 9th century, as s/he is soaked in the appropriate atmosphere: we learn of the medical practices, the hierarchy of the church, daily life, the "zeitgeist" of the age. However, I found the character of Joan too perfect. Joan was portrayed as more intelligent than men, more honest than men, more caring than men. She was so perfect that there was no opportunity for her character to develop. I felt that Cross' underlying purpose was to promote a feminist viewpoint, not to honestly examine the historical evidence of whether or not Joan indeed existed. This bias of our time undermined what could have been a great novel.
Rating:
Summary: Pope Joan - Fact or Fiction?
Review: I thought this was a great book. I enjoy historical fiction, especially tales of women, ordinary and extra-ordinary, during the dark or middle ages. I actually read this book a year or two ago, and today I saw a documentary about Pope Joan. I was astounded at how much I had actually learned (and retained) from this novel. The historic evidence reviewed by the team of scholars was obviously known to the author of Pope Joan. I can hardly wait for two things: 1. The Pope Joan film (pleasepleaseplease do the novel proud!); and 2. The next novel from Donna Woolfolk Cross.
Rating:
Summary: an unforgettable legend
Review: "Pope Joan" is truly a page-turning epic that will keep you reading until your done. Extremely well researched and detailed! Albiet, it's not a tale for the faint-hearted, as it deals (often in gruesome detail) with the attrocities which occurred in ignorance during the Dark Age. The victims of such ignorance, were usually women, who were treated as less than human. However, it is a book which most history-buffs and avid readers alike will be interested in, as it is intertwined with real life settings - and an unforgettable legend of a determined woman's triumph.
Rating:
Summary: Pope Joan
Review: "Pope Joan" was one of the books our book club chose to read this year. It was the most popular and talked about book of the five. Our group heard that it was possible for book clubs to have a phone chat with the author, Donna Woolfolk Cross. She was receptive to our date and time so we were able to visit with her over speaker-phone for about 30-40 minutes. We learned about her involvement with the upcoming movie as well as some information regarding her new novel. After enjoying the book and marveling at her research, the visit over the phone was incredible. Our first question to her was "Are you Catholic"? She is high energy and her dedication and passion are easily conveyed through the chat. We are still talking about the book and the author. Strongly suggest that book clubs request a phone chat if possible. We are anxiously awaiting the movie and the next book because we feel as if we know the author. She would be a great speaker for groups...we submitted her name as a possibility for our Town Hall Series.
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous Book!
Review: Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross was a wonderful experience for me. I would suggest this fabulous story for anyone. While reading this novel I was transported to another place and time.
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