Donna woolfolk cross takes a thousand year old legend and writes a compelling back story that left me with many questions. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading pope joan. Pope joan tells the story of a woman who will stop at nothing to claim the freedom and power that is rightfully hers. Donna woolfolk cross is the author of word abuse and mediaspeak, two books on language. Morning star telegram in her first novel, donna woolfolk cross illuminates the dark ages and its attendant milieu of barbarism, politics, bigotry, and religion.
Author donna woolfolk cross writes an interesting tale about what could have been a young girls life in that time. Like but she had known, better than anyone else, what demons he had faced, had known how hard he had fought to free. Pope joan by donna woolfolk cross 1997, paperback for sale. Pope joan is a sweeping historical drama set against the turbulent events of the ninth century the saracen sacking of st. She is the legend that will not diepope joan, a controversial figure of historical record who, disguised as a man, rose to rule christianity in the 9th century as the first and only woman to sit on the throne of st. Gifted with a thirst for knowledge and the ability to reason, joan soon learns these traits.
She is the daughter of dorothy woolfolk, a pioneering woman in the american comic book industry, and of novelist william woolfolk. After finishing donna cross novelization of joan s life, one may want her to be a real person, only because it is so gratifying to read about those rare heroes whose strength of vision enables them to ignore the almost overpowering messages of their own historical periods. Donna woolfolk cross featured in new york times article. Joans father was a member of the clergy during the period in time when it was common for them to be married and have children. See all books authored by donna woolfolk cross, including pope joan, and word abuse. The authors version of that story imagines joan as the daughter of a village canon.
Pope joan by donna woolfolk cross overdrive rakuten. A new edition of pope joan from three rivers press, is available with new material, corrections and additions, an updated authors note that includes new research on joan, and a list of best of the best reading group questions, formulated from donna. I was just amazed that an author would take the time to do this, roz ault, a. Pope joan was a selection of the literary guild and doubleday book clubs. Our reading group recently read and discussed pope joan. Discover more authors youll love listening to on audible. What similarities or differences do you see between pope joan and saint joan of arc.
Donna woolfolk cross graduated cum laude, phi beta kappa, from the university of pennsylvania with a b. Like there was always a way, when one knew what one wanted. Stunning story about the first alleged female pope. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Pope joan is a 1996 novel by american writer donna woolfolk cross. Oct 22, 2009 this film was released in 2009, i was surfing youtube, and i accidentally came upon the trailer. Donna woolfolk cross novel, heinrich hadding screenplay. Donna woolfolk cross born 1947 is an american writer and the author of the novel pope joan, about a female catholic pope from 853 to 855. Pope joan, by donna woolfolk cross herstory novels. Now in this riveting novel, donna woolfolk cross paints a sweeping portrait of an unforgettable heroine who struggles against restrictions her.
Jun 09, 2009 donna woolfolk cross graduated cum laude, phi beta kappa, from the university of pennsylvania in 1969 with a b. After finishing donna cross novelization of joan s life, one may want her to be a real person, only because it is so gratifying to read about those rare heroes whose strength of vision enables them to ignore the almost. For the most part this novel is the story of a young woman, whose desire to gain more knowledge compels her to dress up as a man, who due to events beyond her control eventually rises to become the pope. The author, donna woolfolk cross joined us via telephone for our discussion everyone agreed that it was our best ever and pope joan our favorite book so far weve been meeting monthly for over three years and this is the first book that everyone liked. After finishing donna cross novelization of joan s life, one may want her to be a real person, only because it is so gratifying to read about those rare heroes whose strength of vision enables them to ignore the almost overpowering. She is the legend that will not diepope joan, the ninthcentury woman who disguised herself as a man and rose to become the only female ever to sit on the throne of st. Donna woolfolk cross audio books, best sellers, author. Joans father was a member of the clergy during the period in time when it was common for them to. Donna woolfolk cross brings pope john or joan to life, from her birth to her death, and constructs plausible and engaging scenarios to explain how joan became educated and was able to hide her gender until she reached the pinnacle of power in medieval christianity.
Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read pope joan. Cross makes an excellent, entertaining case in her work of historical fiction that, in the dark ages, a woman sat on the papal throne for two years. Donna woolfolk cross books list of books by author donna. It is a fascinating look at the life of a girl named johanna joan who lived during. I was surfing youtube, and i accidentally came upon the trailer. Shattered by the cumulative effect of so much horror and death, joan was again afflicted by a crisis of faith.
I love a historical drama, and i know a little about pope joan, and i didnt understand how i missed knowing about this film till now 20 i suppose the promotion of foreign language films in ireland is not great. Pope joan quotes by donna woolfolk cross goodreads. Pope joan donna woolfolk cross, 1996 crown publishing 448 pp. Pdf pope joan book by donna woolfolk cross free download. Broadway by donna woolfolk cross and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Pope joan by donna woolfolk cross published by three rivers press isbn. Why was one joan expunged from history books and the other made a saint. Pope joan begins her life as a precocious english child with a thirst for knowledge who eventually fools everyone to become pope. If joan had agreed to leave with gerold when he first came to rome, what would her life have been like. Donna woolfolk cross novel heinrich hadding screenplay release date. Cross led a discussion about her historical novel, pope joan. A longstanding tradition has insisted that there was a female pope in the ninth century.
She moved to london, england, after graduation and worked as an editorial assistant for a small publishing house on more about donna woolfolk cross. For the most part this novel is the story of a young woman, whose desire to gain more knowledge compels her to dress up as a man, who eventually rises to become the pope. Donna woolfolk cross, quote from pope joan it was a childs awareness, never spoken or even fully acknowledged, but deeply felt. Pope joan ebook by donna woolfolk cross rakuten kobo. Browse donna woolfolk crosss bestselling audiobooks and newest titles. A new edition of pope joan from three rivers press, is available with new material, corrections and additions, an updated authors note that includes new research on joan, and a list of best of the best reading group questions, formulated from donna s many years of chatting with book groups. She is the legend that will not diethe woman who disguised herself as aman and sat for two years on the papal throne. She moved to london, england, after graduation and worked as an editorial assistant for a small publishing house on fleet street, w. Read pope joan a novel by donna woolfolk cross available from rakuten kobo. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 422 pages and is available in paperback format. Francis bacon, the seventeenthcentury philosopher, said, people believe what they prefer to be true.
Donna woolfolk cross audio books, best sellers, author bio. Jun 14, 2017 donna woolfolk cross brings pope john or joan to life, from her birth to her death, and constructs plausible and engaging scenarios to explain how joan became educated and was able to hide her gender until she reached the pinnacle of power in medieval christianity. Pope joan by donna woolfolk cross pope joan by donna. For a thousand years her existence has been denied. In this riveting novel, donna woolfolk cross paints a sweeping portrait of a heroine whose strength. Todays book is the historical fiction novel pope joan by donna woolfolk cross. Donna woolfolk cross graduated cum laude, phi beta kappa, from the university of pennsylvania in 1969 with a b. Jun 01, 2009 buy pope joan by donna woolfolk cross isbn. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Pope joan tells the story of a woman who will stop at nothing to claim the freedom and power that is rightfully hers, and follows her journey to becoming, as legend has it, the first and only female pope to have ever lived. A worldwide bestseller, major motion picture and upcoming directors.
Pope joan book by donna woolfolk cross thriftbooks. How important is it to this story to believe in its historicity. The first edition of the novel was published in 1996, and was written by donna woolfolk cross. She moved to london, england, after graduation, and worked as an editorial assistant for a small publishing house on fleet street, w. Pope joan has all the elements one wants in a historical drama love, sex, violence, duplicity, and longburied secrets. Pope joan has all the elements one wants in a historical dramalove, sex, violence, duplicity and longburied secrets. Cross is at work on a new novel set in 17th century france.
Pope joan, based on american novelist donna woolfolk cross s book of the same name, stars german actor johanna wokalek as the titular character, with lord of the rings david wenham as the lover who supposedly brought her to rome, and us actor john goodman as pope sergius. Pope joan also is a story of passion and faith and a reminder that something never change, only the stage and the players do. Donna woolfolk cross s debut historical novel, pope joan 1996, is a fictionalized account of the ninthcentury woman who disguised herself as a man, later becoming the first female pope. The story was widely believed for centuries, but most modern scholars regard it as fictional. Joan was born in ingelheim, which is in presentday germany. As for will, woman should be considered superior to man for eve ate of the apple for love of knowledge and learning, but adam ate of it merely because she asked him. The main characters of this historical, historical fiction story are pope joan. No one knows for sure if pope joan, or pope john anglicus as she called herself, really existed. In this stirring international bestseller, donna woolfolk cross brings the dark ages to life in all their brutal splendor, and shares the dramatic story of a woman whose courage makes her a heroine for every age.
Pope joan by donna woolfolk cross abebooks passion for books. About pope joan pope joan has all the elements one wants in a historical dramalove, sex, violence, duplicity, and longburied secrets. Are there lessons to be learned from joan s story whether its legend or fact. Pope joan is a sweeping historical drama set against the turbulent events of the 9th century the saracen sack of st. Pope joan has all the elements one wants in a historical dramalove, sex, violence, duplicity, and longburied secrets. Pope joan by donna woolfolk cross book club discussion. Pope joan is a figure i was aware of but knew next to nothing about, her existence is surrounded by mystery and so she seems the ideal figure to write a historical fiction novel about. Pope joan by donna woolfolk cross 1997, paperback for.
It is a fascinating look at the life of a girl named johanna joan who lived during the 6th century. Her story first appeared in chronicles in the th century and subsequently spread throughout europe. Joan s father was a member of the clergy during the period in time when it was common for them to. Free download or read online pope joan pdf epub book. The film is based on persistent rumours denied by the roman catholic.