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9.04.2008

Pope Joan : a novel

There was a 9th-century Pope who ruled for 2 years who was not a man, but a woman...but the facts have been changed and hidden for over 1000 years. Could this be true, or is it only legend??? It's this intriguing idea that author Donna Woolfolk Cross turns into an excellent historical novel centered on Joan, an unforgettable woman. Pope Joan tells of a young girl who has an insatiable desire for learning. After her brother dies in a Viking attack, she assumes his identity and enters a Benedictine monastery. Joan becomes Brother John Anglicus--scholar and healer. As a Benedictine, with its rules that foster privacy and solitude, her secret is safe, and she is free to read and learn to her heart's content. Except that she isn't exactly content. Joan/John keeps looking for ways to make people's lives better-- often going against tradition. Joan/John makes her way to Rome and finds herself in the middle of politics...and passion. I found the ending sequence a bit abrupt and a bit too inconceivable, but nonetheless, it was a page turner. Thanks to Kim for sending this my direction. Anyone else want to read it?

More info: http://www.popejoan.com/author.htm

3 comments:

Natalie Weaver said...

I'd be interested in this one!

kch said...

I wante to read this, too!

bookworm27 said...

Me too!! I am SO stuck in historical novels at the moment! Send it down to Texas!