Donna Cross

Donna Woolfolk Cross is an American author known for her historical novel 'Pope Joan,' which explores the legend of a female pope in the 9th century.

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 10921st Greatest Book of All Time
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