In ninth-century Europe, Joan is born into a world that denies women education and agency. Blessed with a sharp intellect and a drive for learning, she adopts a male identity after a Viking raid kills her brother. Disguised as John Anglicus, she enters a Benedictine monastery, mastering medicine and theology. Her reputation leads her to Rome, where she navigates the dangerous politics of the Papal Curia. Joan ultimately ascends to the throne of St. Peter, ruling the Catholic Church while hiding her biological sex and a forbidden pregnancy.
Readers who enjoy meticulously researched medieval settings and stories of institutional subversion will find value in this narrative. It appeals to those interested in the historical erasure of women and the intersection of faith and gender roles. The book provides a detailed look at Dark Ages scholarship, medicinal practices, and the internal power struggles of the early Vatican. A reader finishes the story with a perspective on how an individual can bypass systemic barriers through intellect and the high personal cost of maintaining a monumental deception.
Clear-cut; a moderate read.
Best for readers like The Curious Generalist. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 1996
- Language
- EN
