Donna Cross

Donna Cross is an American author best known for her historical novel 'Pope Joan', which depicts the medieval legend of a woman who served as Pope under the guise of a man. The novel has been translated into more than thirty languages and was adapted into a feature film. Cross's work is characterized by its detailed historical research and its exploration of women's roles in history.

Books

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. Pope Joan

    The novel is a historical fiction that tells the story of a young woman in the 9th century who, driven by her thirst for knowledge and desire for education, defies the societal norms of her time. Disguising herself as a man, she rises through the ranks of the church hierarchy, ultimately becoming Pope. Her journey is fraught with challenges and dangers, as she navigates a life of deception while striving to maintain her secret identity. The story explores themes of gender, religion, and power, as it weaves a tale of a remarkable figure who, according to legend, may have challenged the male-dominated history of the Papacy.

    The 6525th Greatest Book of All Time