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Pope Joan Audiobook
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(4.18) - 28,089 listener ratings
Publisher Description
A captivating historical novel, Pope Joan is an international best-seller. Set in the brutal Dark Ages, a time when women were viewed as the root of sin, this novel tells the remarkable tale of one of history's greatest controversies. Denied the priesthood by society's rules, young Joan seizes her opportunity to join a monastery when she assumes her murdered brother's identity and takes the name John Anglicus. Putting her brilliant mind to good use, she excels as a scholar and healer. Joan eventually finds her way to Rome, where the lures of passion and politics threaten to expose her secret. But Joan rises above even these obstacles to achieve the pinnacle of Catholic power-the Papacy.
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"This book was interesting and a fast read. I enjoyed the time period and was very grateful I wasn't alive at that time. I had a little criticism of the way the characters were displayed. I felt they were a little two-dimensional. And Joan seemed to have too much luck or fate or divine intervention that placed her in the positions she achieved throughout her life. However, I felt it still deserved a 4 star for interesting plot and writing skills."
— CarolAnn (4 out of 5 stars)
Pope Joan Listener Reviews
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Constance Deming, 5/6/2020
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" Wow! Best Book I have read this year. Thanks Shelly and Maggie for the recomendation. Loved it. "
— Kim, 2/15/2014 -
" Enjoyed this book although Joan was a little too wise, a little too perfect -- which made the story less believable. Still, it was thoroughly engrossing and interesting. "
— Patti, 2/8/2014 -
" pretty good book - interesting mix of historical and fictional "
— Christen, 2/1/2014 -
" I enjoyed the book and storyline. I know there is a lot of debate about whether it is true or not but it really makes you think. Glad I bought this book so I can go back and re-read someday. "
— Ann, 1/30/2014 -
" 3.5 stars really. I liked the back half of this way better-I think the beginning dragged a bit. I honestly didn't find the love story believable or compelling. "
— Amanda, 1/21/2014 -
" Great book..one of my favorites "
— Candace, 1/16/2014 -
" Read this with the book club at SCC. The book presents the possibility that a woman became pope for a short time in the 800's. Exposes the lack of truth, integrity and spirituality in the medieval Catholic Church. "
— Evelyn, 1/10/2014 -
" Loved this book. Makes one wonder... "
— Betsy, 1/4/2014 -
" One of those extremely rare reads that have a truly profound effect on you. Unforgetable! "
— Dawna, 1/3/2014 -
" I really loved this book, but i am way more of a girl than joan because the whole time i am thinking, "grab that gerold and make out like mad girl!" "
— Maggie, 1/1/2014 -
" A good book, and interesting read, imagines what it would have taken for a woman to become pope. "
— Lindsey, 12/14/2013 -
" So interesting! I'm now convinced there was really a "Pope Joan." "
— Natalia, 10/18/2013 -
" miraculous. "
— Danielle, 9/5/2013 -
" I thought this was well written, many believe it is based on truth. "
— Missy, 9/2/2013 -
" Fascinating. Didn't think I would get into it, but a few friends had said it was good...and they were right! "
— Jill, 8/21/2013 -
" I have always been fascinated by Pope Joan. I give the storyline in this book three stars, but the subject matter five stars. :) I'm always interested in history and the manipulation of history. "
— Chip, 3/1/2013 -
" Couldn't put this down. I learned so much history reading this! "
— Bridget, 1/22/2013 -
" Yeah, it might have happened like this. The "legend" of a female pope is very persistent, and this is a good historical novel about a period (mid-9th century) that few novelists write about. There is a persistent scent of "bodice ripper," but the book held my interest, and I learned a few things. "
— Michael, 1/22/2013 -
" Really enjoyed this historical fiction. An amazing story of the first/only female pope - under hiding. Written as a page turning novel. "
— Amber, 11/22/2012 -
" Similar to The Known World, I believe I read this many years. Well imagined tale of how we got a female Pope but I wouldn't be surprised if the true story is more sordid. "
— Michaela, 11/18/2012 -
" Read this book for Book Club and loved the twists and turns of this book. Definitely kept me captivated! "
— Denise, 2/1/2012 -
" I'm not much into historical fiction, but as I got into the book I began to like it better. Perfect for a book club. "
— Karol, 5/22/2011 -
" Very interesting story. There are historical references to the existence of a female pope, although much of this tale has been fictionalized. "
— Shawn, 5/21/2011 -
" With its evocation of life in the middle ages, I found this book very interesting and compelling. Strangely, I found the book less interesting after Joan becomes Pope. "
— Shellie, 5/20/2011 -
" I read this sophomore year and I will never forget it. It is a book that I want to re-read again and again. Definitely in my list of favorites. "
— Amanda, 5/15/2011 -
" Hist fiction, heavy on the fiction side. Could put it down but I wouldn't saybits one of my favorites. Good read though. "
— Kerry, 5/14/2011 -
" Eines der besten Bücher, die ich je gelesen habe! "
— Pantone375c, 5/13/2011 -
" One of my all time favorites! Great Historical fiction with lots of mystery and romance. "
— Jennifer, 5/12/2011 -
" This is a great title for historical fiction lovers. "
— Cindy, 5/11/2011 -
" This book is excellent historical fiction. "
— Carin, 5/10/2011 -
" Our library book group had a lively discussion <br/>about historical fiction and what is required to feel a sense of <br/>place and time in this richly imagined tale. <br/>Amazing research into the myth of the woman who became Pope. "
— Lynda, 5/10/2011 -
" really interesting, different historians and religious figures will tell you very different stories about this history. "
— Wendy, 5/7/2011
About Barbara Rosenblat
Barbara Rosenblat, one of the most awarded narrators in the business, was selected by AudioFile magazine as one of the Golden Voices of the Twentieth Century. She has received the prestigious Audie Award multiple times and has earned more than fifty AudioFile Earphones Awards. She has also appeared in film, television, and theater, both in London’s West End and on Broadway.