Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I expected this book to be a well-written novel with some logical extrapolations from the legends about Joan. It was well-written, so it gets 2 stars. However it was also a political diatribe. For example, the only thing written about Joan's parents is that her father was an Englishman. So of course Cross interprets that to mean that Joans' father was an overbearing woman-hating priest who beat everyone, especially a girl who snuck off to learn. Which is more likely, a girl in those days learning to read in that environment, or one who learned in a rich household because she had indulgent parents? If Joan did exist , don't you think it's much more reasonable to expect that she came from the latter setting? I would also think that her self-esteem would have to be mighty high to try to move through the world of the male church in those days. You don't get great self-esteem from the household Cross described. This was only the first of many quibbles I had with the story told. All the events were presented with the obvious purpose of showing the Evil Church and the Evil Men within it. I recommend avoiding this book unless you're the sort who believes in conspiracy theories and the inherent Evil of Christianity and men.
Rating: 
Summary: Fascinating and thoughful.
Review: I read this in a few hours for our book club. Being Catholic I found it very provocative. BUT for those who feel it has no basis, why then was the "chair" in the author's notes at the end necessary? Looks like that chair had but one purpose. Also, use your brain - how many women in the current era in different areas have passed themselves off as men? Its not a novel idea by any means. So, one was good enough to make it to Pope - obviously it set this "good old boys club" on its ear.
Rating:
Summary: A POPE BY ANY OTHER NAME WOULD STILL BE A POPE!
Review: Every once in a while I come across a book that is like fine dining; an enjoyable experience that I want to last and that book was "Pope Joan." As I immersed myself in the book, I felt as though I was living in the era of Pope Joan. From the skillful and descriptive writing, I was able to recognized the people Joan was surrounded by; the cruel father; the submissive mother; the pompous educators and, last but not least, the mystery surrounding Pope Joan herself. Pope Joan is by no stretch of the imagination a "religious book." The author, throughout the book, leaves it to the reader's imagination to draw a conclusion as to whether or not there actually was a "Pope Joan" and she certainly gives the reader plenty of food for thought. I also enjoyed the discussion questions at the end of the book. Great idea. After all, who is to say there was or was not a "Pope Joan?"
Rating: 
Summary: A fascinating reading
Review: I've read the book's translation to Hebrew (which just came out, some while after the original English came out). The book is very readable, and I finished it in two days even though my time is somewhat tight. The plot is very interesting - the hard life of a woman who goes against the cultural stream and pressures to reach one of it's top positions, sacrificing family life and most of her famininity and love life in the way. Descriptions of tragedies and her emotional reactions to them is very minimalistic. This gives the text some power, but think a bit longer descriptions would be better. The characters are somewhat thin (the father is just a fanatic priest, a jealus wife is just a jealus wife, etc), but are well done for the book's length. [Interesting comparison to books like Crime and Punishment, which was written for an audience with more free time - not to mention that the author was paid by page and needed the money, to this book which is probably intended to be read over otherwise "dead period" (flight, long train trip) of a busier person. Another interesting comparison is to King Rat.]
Rating: 
Summary: Religious prejudice on parade
Review: This novel about the fictional Pope Joan is a highly offensive caricature of medieval Catholicism. Catholics are presented as superstitious, immoral, violent cretins. The cloying narrative presents the medieval world as a fearful place inhabited by witches, goblins, and menacing bishops---everything but the tooth fairy. Although the author clearly knows (as every serious medieval scholar knows) that the legend of Pope Joan is pure fiction, she insists on pretending that the fantasy may have some basis in fact. A disturbing read, marred by raw religious prejudice.
Rating:
Summary: makes the middle ages come alive
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed "Pope Joan", which I just read in a recent translation to Hebrew. I would say that the book is not so impressive on two counts, and is extremely impressive on two other counts: On the less impressive side, It's literary qualities are no more than fair: The language isn't poetic or complex (at least, in the Hebrew translation), nor are the characters inricate or subtle. This is not a "literary classic". Second, I would gamble a guess that as an historical account of pope Joan's existance, the book lacks credibility. As a fictuous tale set in historical times, there is no problem with the assumptions regarding the actual existance of a "pope Joan", but Cross's attempt to justify the plot on historical grounds (in the last chapter) isn't very convincing, as other reviews have commented. However, I do recoomend this book, and highly so, for two reasons: The first is the excellent description of the setting: The Middle-ages simply come alive in this book, thanks to a plethora of details, which must have made the book a serious research project for the author. The fascinating description of daily life in the middle ages manages to escape both sentimentality and criticism, and left me wondering about the variety of human life and experience. Anyone ineterested in the foreign-yet-near middle ages - do read the book! The other advantage of the book is the plot, which has much to reccomend itself: it unravels smoothly, keeps the reader interested, has some unexpected turns, and has a wide scope. There are other advantages to the book: some sympathetic characters, good dialogue and an excellent description of Joan's childhood (the best part).In summing, however, I would have to say that the strength of this book is in its details.
Rating:
Summary: FASCINATING and FEASIBLE CONCEPT - a FEMALE POPE!
Review: Well, in reading Pope Joan, I discovered that either truth is stranger than fiction or fiction is stranger than truth. But, regardless if Pope Joan is fiction - it's great and if it's truth, it's great. I read this book with open interest. As a guy raising daughters, I find the struggle of the heroine totally believable. I would highly recommend this book to young and old alike. Along with the story of Joan, the historical wars create interesting reading also. One can always learn new things reading a book such as Pope Joan, I know I did. It is definitely a book that makes a reader go: "Hmmmm!"
Rating:
Summary: "POPE JOAN" - A FAMILY TRILOGY OF GREAT READING
Review: "Pope Joan" has now been read by Mother, myself and my daughter, who is sixteen years of age. As you can see, that might present quite a generation gap in reading material to some. Not so with POPE JOAN! This marvelous, wonderful, enriching novel was an incentive to my daughter; a great reading vehicle for my Mother and myself which resulted in marvelous discussions among us that removed any generation barrier. The character of Joan is strong; her spirit speaks to women of all ages; her struggle is familiar and her recognition (albeit with many woman of distinction) hidden for centuries. I definitely would not call this a "religious book" but rather just what it is -- historical fiction about an intriguing character that leaves you wondering, and wondering and wondering. If you must read - read inspiritational, fascinating "Pope Joan."
Rating:
Summary: NOT FOR WOMEN ONLY - THIS MAN TOTALLY ENJOYED "POPE JOAN"
Review: The good thing about retirement is that I now have a greater choice of reading material and the ability for diversification -- hence my reading of "Pope Joan." I was totally intrigued by the story and the feasibility of Joan as Pope. Likewise, even though my gender be masculine, relating to the main character and her difficulties and struggle for education was certainly not impossible. In fact, there were many relatable characters in this fine writing who called forth images of nice and not so nice people. I highly recommend that you open your minds and read this plausible account of an alleged time in the history of not only the church, but life's struggles.
Rating:
Summary: Medieval illusion
Review: This novel on "Pope Joan" reads well enough, although it is so simple that it appears to be a novel written for 12 year-olds. The problem is that the author suggests that the legend of "Pope Joan" is fact, a position which no serious historian would agree with. The legend of "Pope Joan" began in the 13th century. It said that in the 9th century a woman disguised as a man was elected pope. "Pope Joan" then gave birth in front of the college of cardinals and then was stoned to death by a Roman mob. Great story, but it's a fiction. There is no 9th century evidence for these spectacular incidents, nor is there any in the four following centuries! Our intrepid author insists that the lack of evidence just show that there was a coverup! By the 17th century historians had recognized what a hoax this legend was. No serious historian today believes it, but you would never know it from the author. Even as fiction the work is deeply flawed by many anti-Catholic remarks and prejudices. For a true picture of medieval women, read Regine Pernoud.
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