She is now at work on a new novel set in 17th century france. 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. What similarities or differences do you see between pope joan and saint joan of arc. Westfield memorial library fiction book club to discuss. Pope joan is a 1996 novel by american writer donna woolfolk cross. For a thousand years her existence has been denied. Pope joan by donna woolfolk book club discussion questions. Tutored first by her older brother and then a greek scholar, joan eventually secures a place at the schola in dorstadt. 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. A synopsis of pope joan for a thousand years, her existence has been denied. It is a wonderful story based on a real woman who posed as a man and became the pope for two years. Pope joan donna woolfolk cross, 1996 crown publishing 448 pp.
The moment she enters the patriarchium she follows a path that will eventually lead to her election as pope john. This film when shown in america was called the devils imposture. June 16 and this is how it always is by laurie frankel leading discussion roger. Dec 04, 2015 for a thousand years, her existence has been denied. She is the author of two books on language, word abuse. Youll also find printable book club questions at the end of this post to bring to. Just choose a member from your group to be the contact person. Pope joan has all the elements one wants in a historical dramalove, sex.
Introduction pope joan has all the elements one wants in a historical drama love, sex, violence, duplicity, and longburied secrets. Sep 30, 2010 we had some fantastic discussion about joan s character as well as her motivations. I couldnt stop listening to it, and after i finished i thought more about the carichtors. Please be aware that this discussion guide may contain spoilers. Pope joan reading group choices book club recommendations. Also provides information on starting or joining a book club, sample, discussion questions, and tips.
I highly recommend pope joan for book clubs who enjoy historical fiction books. Our book club read pope joan, by donna woolfork cross. Our reading group recently read and discussed pope joan. Jun 01, 2009 pope joan has all the elements one wants. Pope joan was a legendary female pope who allegedly reigned for a few years some time during the middle ages. Pope joan by donna cross reading guidebook club discussion. Now in this riveting novel, cross paints a sweeping portrait of an.
Over time joan, disguised as john anglicus, is eventually afforded opportunities at levels of power that most men never reach. View donna crosss business profile as member, nato book discussion group at pope joan. 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. Have the author join the conversation when your book or school group discusses the novel. Pope joan has recently become one of my most favorite books.
One thousand white women by jim fergus and pope joan by donna woolfolk. Pope joan by donna woolfolk cross book club discussion. What is needed for good book group discussion is a subject that leads to lively, engrossing, deeply engaged conversation. In 1973, cross moved to syracuse, new york, with her husband and began teaching in the english department at an upstate new york college. 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. 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.
General book club questions for study and discussion. The story is captivating and there are actually quite a few things to discuss. If joan had agreed to leave with gerold when he first came to rome, what would her life have been like. At the jabberwocky we offer a 10% discount on books selected by your book club. Donna woolfolk cross wrote the story of pope joan as a work of fiction. The product of seven years of research and writing, pope joan is her first novel. November 19 pope joan by donna woolfolk cross, leading discussion bob gillis historical fiction december 17 the invention of nature. One thousand white women by jim fergus and pope joan by donna woolfolk cross were also favorites with excellent discussions. 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 named best feature film at ojai and moondance film festivals. 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.
More of the best books your book club has read real simple. Eventually drawn to rome, she finally attains the churchs highest office, but at what cost, and did this really happen. 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. 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. I highly recommend pope joan if you are a fan of historical fiction or books about the strength of women. Donna woolfolk cross featured in new york times article. Heres your opportunity to ask questions of the horses mouth. Everyone bring a book nomination for oldie but goodie for december mtg. A full length film in 1972, entitled pope joan, also presented her as its central character. Find contacts direct phone number, email address, work history, and more. 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.
The story was widely believed for centuries, but most modern scholars regard it as fictional. It is a great book for men and women alike and would be a fantastic book club discussion. Which characters and events in the novel are real, and which are fictional. Why was one joan expunged from history books and the other made a saint. The legend of pope joan was recorded by more than just petrarch.
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. A readers guide f or many years, ive been joining the conversation with read ing. 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. Reading guide for pope joan by donna woolfolk cross bookbrowse. 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. Recommending new books each month to spark lively conversation. One in which she is almost a man, a priest who does many almost unbelievable things.
Todays book is the historical fiction novel pope joan by donna woolfolk cross. My book club was fortunate that the author donna woolfolk cross called into our meeting to discuss her novel with us. 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. I was reading a book in french and came across a reference to a pope named. On the line was donna woolfolk cross, the author of the groups reading selection. Then, let us know what you are reading and when the discussion will take place. 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. Are there lessons to be learned from this story whether its true or not. Whilst the story of the female pope in the chronica minor. Now in this riveting novel, donna woolfolk cross paints a sweeping portrait of an unforgettable heroine who struggles against restrictions her soul cannot accept. Reading guide for pope joan by donna woolfolk cross discussion guide for book clubs.
If youre ready to start a book club, heres 40 of the best book club questions, for fiction and nonfiction alike. Pope joan, legendary female pontiff who supposedly reigned for more than 25 months, from 855 to 858, under the title of john viii. If you like historical fiction with strong female characters, this is one you dont want to. Pope joan bergen county cooperative library system. Discussion forum for bookclub readers to exchange information, and opinions. Her story first appeared in chronicles in the th century and subsequently spread throughout europe.
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. For a thousand years, her existence has been denied. It is a fascinating look at the life of a girl named johanna joan who lived during the 6th century. The westfield memorial library fiction book club will discuss a fascinating first novel called pope joan on wednesday, april 28 at 7 p. A medieval artistic rendition of pope joan with a papal tiara. 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. Cross led a discussion about her historical novel, pope joan. The book club began in november 2000 with a handful of members and has continued growing and changing. 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.
She is the author of two books on language, word abuse and mediaspeak, and coauthor of speaking of words. Cross has done a superb job bringing the tale of pope joan to life in this riveting, epic pageturner. The author also loves to do author chats she does about three a week so i also highly recommend contacting her too. Best for book clubs best books to read for a great book club discussion. Pope joan is one of my alltime favorite book club reads. Suggest books that your group has read that led to a lively discussion, whether people loved or hated them. Here are our readers favorite book club books of 2005. Donna will chat by speakerphone with any book reading or school group that chooses pope joan. Pope joan book charlotte mecklenburg library bibliocommons. After a very shocking trauma, joan chose to live in 2 worlds. Dont forget to read the notes at the end of the book they will keep you thinking. Assuming her dead brothers identity, joan enters a ninth century monastery where she distinguishes herself as a scholar and a healer.
For the next hour and a half, via speakerphone, ms. To think, i bought it months ago, and its sat on my shelf all that time. Pope joan book by donna woolfolk cross thriftbooks. How important is it that pope joan actually existed.
I can say this with certainty since my club had a wonderful time talking about the role of women throughout history. Register your book club for free or read about other clubs in canada. Find discussion questions and reading group guide for pope joan by donna woolfolk. 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. Born in 9thcentury frankland, joan demonstrates her brilliance early but must hide her learning from her missionary father, who considers the education of women sacrilegious and dangerous.
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. 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. Find out what your neighbors are reading in their book groups. 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. She is the coauthor of speaking of words and daddys little girl. 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.
The henna artist opens a door into a world that is at once lush and fascinating, stark and. 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. Pope joan is a perennial pick for book clubs, and you are involved in book group discussions sometimes up to four times a week. 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. 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. Pope joan by donna woolfolk cross pope joan by donna. Reading guide for pope joan by donna woolfolk cross.
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