Pope Joan

Rating:
Summary: Harlequin hash
Review: Like "Girl With a Pearl Earring" or "The Red Tent," this is basically a bodice-ripper with a little intellectual frosting on it for ladies who don't care to be seen reading romance novels but who wish to indulge in the guilty pleasure of reading a fantasy in which a headstrong, passionate girl engages in forbidden dalliance with Mr. Sexy. This book certainly delivers in this regard, but if you're expecting a novel with some literary value or genuine insight into its provocative subject matter you'll be disappointed. Cross can tell a story competently in a by-the-numbers ready-for-Hollywood style, but her prose stinks of undigested historical research and is grotesquely cliche-ridden (the heroine's dashing lover actually chucks her under the chin! was this already a convention of blossoming romance in the 800s?)

Rating:
Summary: Excellent historical novel on a 'new' topic
Review: I very much enjoyed this book, particularly because of the setting and subject matter. Pope joan is definitely not an oversaturated topic and the middle European setting for a good portion of the book brings an aspect that is a bit different. The story of Pope Jone is quite intriguing and through this novel seems quite plausible, basically spelling out how it could have happened. The Joan's character was so well developed you could almost guess her actions before they took place because the reader is brought into her thought pattern so intimately.

The two draw backs of the book is the fact that Gilsa completely disappeared. With the fortune teller's fortune such a standout part of the preclusing chapters, I just alwasy expected Gilsa to turn up again somehow, and she never did. It was kinda of a let down. The other thing that dissappointed was the ending happened too quickly. It was just going at normal pace and then boom the end happens in about five pages and then it was done. I understand the effect of creating the abrupt end since that is how the historical tale goes, but as a reader it left me, not so much hanging, but almost let down that I had no warning (other than page count) to the ending being nigh.

But all that aside, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would recommend it to almost anyone. I think it would be particularly useful in a literary women's studies class.

Rating:
Summary: A Papal mystery
Review: I just finished this book and loved it! I was alittle skeptical to continue when I first started it as I am easily upset about references to torture and medieval lifestyles. I am so glad that I continued reading. Unfortunately, the scenes of torture and representations of women as being lowlier than dogs was fact in this era (ninth century) and an important part of the story. They provided the basis for understanding what drove Joan to make the decision to live her life as a man. She was a woman filled with a passion for learning and exploring all that life had to offer the men of her time, but was forbidden for women to know. She was brave in the face of danger, had a keen and intelligent mind, and yet always exhibited an underlying femininity as she nurtured the sick, the poor and the children and when she spoke of her love, Gerold. She not only wanted to better her own life, but was committed to helping those around her as well.

I am not Catholic and was completely unaware of her so-called legend. It is still debated as to whether or not she existed; some believe that the Catholic Church has deliberately removed her from any records of the time to avoid having to deal with the embarrassment of her rise to be Pope (the author spends a short time at the end of the book presenting this debate). I, for one, want to believe she existed. She represents all that is good in people and proves that we can attain our goals if we truly believe in them.

Definitely, recommended reading!

Rating:
Summary: Historical Fiction at it's best!
Review: Pope Joan leads you from today's world back to the years when Joan was struggling in a man's world. A book that jumps right in from page one and leaps you throughout the events in Joan's life until you turn that last page and wish there was something more. This book has touched me significantly. And it leaves you with the question: was there really a Pope Joan?

Rating:
Summary: Be Prepared to Time Warp
Review: No Joke! This book just sucks you right into life in the ninth century. I have never before become so addicted to a book, especially to it's main two characters. I was so deeply moved by Joan and Gerold's bond I was genuinly concerned about them with every turn of a page. If you really are ready to read an incredible novel get your hands on this one, you will not be dissappointed.

Rating:
Summary: Intriguing historical novel of courage and papal politics.
Review: Donna Cross's Pope Joan: A Novel is the compelling and fascinating story of a woman who disguised herself as a man and became the effective ruler of Christianity for two years, though the Roman Catholic clergy would deny her existence for a thousand years thereafter. Set in the brutal era of the ninth century, Pope Joan is an intriguing, highly recommended historical novel of courage, passion, and life-threatening politics that change the world.

Rating:
Summary: Under Wraps
Review: Definitely the best book I've read so far this year! In a word, WOW.
Pope Joan is an historical novel based on the life of Joan, the only female pope. It tells the story of her life, from birth to death, and her many adventures in between.
Joan was a girl who knew she wanted more from life than the expected life of a woman. Her drive and ambition, as well as her thirst for knowledge was not accepted in a girl, although she was fortunate to have mentors that respected her intelligence. After a brutal Viking attack, Joan assumes her brother's identity and enters a monastery. Only then can she pursue her quest for knowledge and her dream to live a life a woman could never even dream of.
There is rarely a spot where there's enough of a lull in the storytelling to put the book down, so be ready to see the pages of this book turn themselves! This is a rare treat.

Rating:
Summary: A Must Read - Brenda
Review: A great historic novel. Well written. And I am not usually a fan of historic novels, but this is great. I also liked the Red Tent. I read Pope Joan twice and both time I could not but it down. My book group just read it and it was a very lively discussion--which is what we want out of a book. But the very best part was that the author joined us by speaker phone all the way from Germany. We had the date set and then she had to fly to Germany to do a press conference for the movie version of Pope Joan and she still went out of her way to call. That really impressed us. She was really impressive to talk to on the phone. It is a very interesting book and and she answered our questions with with great satisfaction. You will not be disappointed in this book. It is entertaining and you will learn something at the sametime.

Rating:
Summary: A Must Read
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book on many levels. It was a fabulous historical description of the dark ages that brought that era to life for the reader. It was a great love story. It was an inspiring story of an intelligent woman and how she coped with a world that did not want to acknowledge or respect her intelligence. It illustrated the "frailty" of our historical records and record keeping. Most of all it was a book that entertained you while it made you think - what an accomplishment!! Truly a great read and one I would quickly recommend to many different people!

Rating:
Summary: Strength and courage.
Review: Having received the greatest esteem from my reading peers, Pope Joan was a must read for me. From the onset of this tale I was enthralled. It delves into a subject that has long been a mystery in the Roman Catholic Church. Was a woman ever Pope?

Woolfolk-Cross weaves a tale of a headstrong, intelligent young woman who will let no man stand in her way--- even if she has to conceal her true identity. Joan is faced with many obstacles, but uses her womanly nature to her advantage. Woolfolk-Cross paints a portrait that is difficult not to see. The essence of the time period-one extremely difficult for women-is very clear.

Joan is a woman blessed with strength, courage, and a lust for knowledge. Her determination to be a strong and independent woman is encouraging and translates even to today's world.

Regardless of your religion, or your notion of religion this book is certain to appeal to you. It is not a book strictly for the religious, it is far from that. It is a tale of strength, which translates to all facets of life. Woolfolk-Cross has written a masterpiece, and a highly-researched one at that. Pope Joan exceeded my loftiest expectations.