For a thousand years her existence has been denied. It is a great book for men and women alike and would be a fantastic book club discussion. Pope joan book charlotte mecklenburg library bibliocommons. The exciting part about picking this book is that the author, donna woolfork cross, will talk with the club by speakerphone if you read her book. This film when shown in america was called the devils imposture. My book club was fortunate that the author donna woolfolk cross called into our meeting to discuss her novel with us. The product of seven years of research and writing, pope joan is her first novel. One thousand white women by jim fergus and pope joan by donna woolfolk.
Pope joan book by donna woolfolk cross thriftbooks. Pope joan, legendary female pontiff who supposedly reigned for more than 25 months, from 855 to 858, under the title of john viii. Now in this riveting novel, donna woolfolk cross paints a sweeping portrait of an unforgettable heroine who struggles against restrictions her soul cannot accept. More of the best books your book club has read real simple. Sep 30, 2010 we had some fantastic discussion about joan s character as well as her motivations. To think, i bought it months ago, and its sat on my shelf all that time. Youll also find printable book club questions at the end of this post to bring to. The story was widely believed for centuries, but most modern scholars regard it as fictional. I guess now is the time when i needed to read the book.
If you like historical fiction with strong female characters, this is one you dont want to. The story is captivating and there are actually quite a few things to discuss. Find contacts direct phone number, email address, work history, and more. General book club questions for study and discussion. View donna crosss business profile as member, nato book discussion group at pope joan. The book follows joan s entire life, from birth until death, and in a way serves as a tour of the early middle ages from a distinctly feminist point of view. Find out what your neighbors are reading in their book groups. In 1973, cross moved to syracuse, new york, with her husband and began teaching in the english department at an upstate new york college. Bartolomeo platina, the prefect of the vatican library, wrote an excerpt in his book, allegedly at the request of pope sixtus iv, that detailed how joan ascended to the office. At the jabberwocky we offer a 10% discount on books selected by your book club. Pope joan by donna woolfolk cross book club discussion. It is a wonderful story based on a real woman who posed as a man and became the pope for two years. Donna woolfolk cross featured in new york times article.
Buy this book cross makes an excellent, entertaining case in her work of historical fiction that, in the dark ages, a woman sat on the. Our book club read pope joan, by donna woolfork cross. Whilst the story of the female pope in the chronica minor. Pope joan is a spellbinding tale of a woman who gave up everything, even her very name, for the sake of knowledge. No matter the genre, age, notoriety, or length of the book of the moment, book club questions can kickstart or enhance your group discussion. Pope joan by donna woolfolk cross pope joan by donna. It is a fascinating look at the life of a girl named johanna joan who lived during the 6th century. Todays book is the historical fiction novel pope joan by donna woolfolk cross. A synopsis of pope joan for a thousand years, her existence has been denied. Cross led a discussion about her historical novel, pope joan. Eventually drawn to rome, she finally attains the churchs highest office, but at what cost, and did this really happen. As a member or leader of a book club, you are likely to be reading books on a wide variety of topics, both fiction and nonfiction.
June 16 and this is how it always is by laurie frankel leading discussion roger. Pope joan introduction since 1970 the british public has been treated to several books, a radio drama and a london stage play, asserting that at one time a woman reigned as pope. Pope joan named best feature film at ojai and moondance film festivals. Aug 21, 2017 ive found that the best book club discussion questions are ones that are openended and that get people to share their personal opinions. Register your book club for free or read about other clubs in canada. Then, let us know what you are reading and when the discussion will take place. A readers guide f or many years, ive been joining the conversation with read ing. The 70page release from loyola press features pope francis responses to 30 unfiltered letters and illustrations from children around the world, some of whom ask some. Diane sawyer is always good and she was on site in rome talking to people and photographing pieces of art to support the idea that there might have been a female pope. I was reading a book in french and came across a reference to a pope named. Pope joan is a fictional account based on the legend of a woman who served as pope under the guise of a man in the midninth century. Reading guide for pope joan by donna woolfolk cross discussion guide for book clubs.
The book follows joans entire life, from birth until death, and in a way serves as a tour of the early middle ages from a distinctly feminist point of view. Cross has done a superb job bringing the tale of pope joan to life in this riveting, epic pageturner. A full length film in 1972, entitled pope joan, also presented her as its central character. Pope joan is a best book club book for discussion about the woman who, disguised as a man, rose to rule christianity as the only woman to sit on the throne of. Suggest books that your group has read that led to a lively discussion, whether people loved or hated them. Pope joan by donna cross reading guidebook club discussion. Our reading group recently read and discussed pope joan. She is the author of two books on language, word abuse and mediaspeak, and coauthor of speaking of words. 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 westfield memorial library fiction book club will discuss a fascinating first novel called pope joan on wednesday, april 28 at 7 p. Her story first appeared in chronicles in the th century and subsequently spread throughout europe.
If joan had agreed to leave with gerold when he first came to rome, what would her life have been like. For a thousand years, her existence has been denied. After a very shocking trauma, joan chose to live in 2 worlds. Here are our readers favorite book club books of 2005. I was reading a book in french and came across a reference to a pope named jeanne.
Past events the fair oaks book club fair oaks, ca meetup. Pope joan is a best book club book for discussion about the woman who, disguised as a man, rose to rule christianity as the only woman to sit on the throne of st. One in which she is almost a man, a priest who does many almost unbelievable things. She is the author of two books on language, word abuse. Also provides information on starting or joining a book club, sample, discussion questions, and tips. Get ready for november s sue grafton pick an author month when everyone chooses a different book resulting in a weird, free for all discussion. Pope joan by donna woolfolk book club discussion questions. Best for book clubs best books to read for a great book club discussion. 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. Pope joan reading group choices book club recommendations. One of the most controversial women of history is brought to brilliant life in donn woolfolk crosss tale of pope joan, a girl whose origins should have kept her in squalid domesticity. For october the brown bag book club has chosen to read pope joan by donna woolfolk.
Heres your opportunity to ask questions of the horses mouth. 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 will chat by speakerphone with any book reading or school group that chooses pope joan. Pope joan is a 1996 novel by american writer donna woolfolk cross. The author also loves to do author chats she does about three a week so i also highly recommend contacting her too. I couldnt stop listening to it, and after i finished i thought more about the carichtors. She is now at work on a new novel set in 17th century france. 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. Recommending new books each month to spark lively conversation. Pope joan donna woolfolk cross, 1996 crown publishing 448 pp. Find discussion questions and reading group guide for pope joan by donna woolfolk. Dont forget to read the notes at the end of the book they will keep you thinking.
I highly recommend pope joan for book clubs who enjoy historical fiction books. Which characters and events in the novel are real, and which are fictional. Tutored first by her older brother and then a greek scholar, joan eventually secures a place at the schola in dorstadt. Pope joan was a legendary female pope who allegedly reigned for a few years some time during the middle ages. For the next hour and a half, via speakerphone, ms. Just choose a member from your group to be the contact person. Westfield memorial library fiction book club to discuss. Pope joan is a perennial pick for book clubs, and you are involved in book group discussions sometimes up to four times a week. My book club ordered the dvd because we had read the book, pope joan, and diane sawyer interviewed the author, donna wollfolk cross as part of this special. Pope joan has recently become one of my most favorite books. What similarities or differences do you see between pope joan and saint joan of arc.
Please be aware that this discussion guide may contain spoilers. Pope joan is the story of a medievalera young woman who is intellectually brilliant and motivated in her desire to learn all she can about religion and medicine. Pope joan has all the elements one wants in a historical dramalove, sex. 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. Now in this riveting novel, cross paints a sweeping portrait of an. Introduction pope joan has all the elements one wants in a historical drama love, sex, violence, duplicity, and longburied secrets. Jun 01, 2009 pope joan has all the elements one wants. The legend of pope joan was recorded by more than just petrarch.
If youre ready to start a book club, heres 40 of the best book club questions, for fiction and nonfiction alike. What is needed for good book group discussion is a subject that leads to lively, engrossing, deeply engaged conversation. One thousand white women by jim fergus and pope joan by donna woolfolk cross were also favorites with excellent discussions. Discussion forum for bookclub readers to exchange information, and opinions. November 19 pope joan by donna woolfolk cross, leading discussion bob gillis historical fiction december 17 the invention of nature. Over time joan, disguised as john anglicus, is eventually afforded opportunities at levels of power that most men never reach. Pope joan bergen county cooperative library system. On the line was donna woolfolk cross, the author of the groups reading selection. Everyone bring a book nomination for oldie but goodie for december mtg. 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. The moment she enters the patriarchium she follows a path that will eventually lead to her election as pope john. It has subsequently been proved that a gap of only a few weeks fell between pope leo iv and pope benedict iii and that the story is entirely apocryphal.
How important is it that pope joan actually existed. Dec 04, 2015 for a thousand years, her existence has been denied. Are there lessons to be learned from this story whether its true or not. Assuming her dead brothers identity, joan enters a ninth century monastery where she distinguishes herself as a scholar and a healer. Have the author join the conversation when your book or school group discusses the novel.
I highly recommend pope joan if you are a fan of historical fiction or books about the strength of women. Why was one joan expunged from history books and the other made a saint. The book club began in november 2000 with a handful of members and has continued growing and changing. A medieval artistic rendition of pope joan with a papal tiara. I can say this with certainty since my club had a wonderful time talking about the role of women throughout history. Knowledge of angels by jill paton walsh and twilight by stephenie meyer and pilots wife by anita shreve and girl with a pearl earring by tracy chevalier were all big hits with our bbc book club. Reading guide for pope joan by donna woolfolk cross bookbrowse. Reading guide for pope joan by donna woolfolk cross. Though a picture book, dear pope francis is spiritual panacea for readers of any age. The henna artist opens a door into a world that is at once lush and fascinating, stark and. Donna woolfolk cross wrote the story of pope joan as a work of fiction. She is the coauthor of speaking of words and daddys little girl.
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