A fine historical novel capturing the ninth century in all its complexity and illuminating a woman whom history deliberately chose to forget. Above all, she brings to life a brilliant, compassionate woman who has to deny her gender to satisfy her desire for learning. Born of a dourly pious English priest and his beautiful Saxon wife, Joan of Ingelheim shows an early curiosity and spirit considered unseemly and unnatural for a female at a time when women's brains are considered too small for much intelligence. Joan's oldest brother secretly feeds his sister's hunger for learning, teaching her to read and write. The encouragement of a Greek churchmen moves Joan to take the first step down a path that will lead her to love, loss, fulfillment and ultimate tragedy.
Little information remains on the historical female pope.
The Catholic Church has admittedly expunged all records of her. Cross has taken literary license with some dates and events for story's sake, but is convinced of the reality of Joan's papacy. At least two other women are documented in medieval times as maintaining a male disguise and rising in the ranks of two separate monasteries. Read our brief interview with Donna Woolfolk Cross .