Alright, hopefully all of you ladies had a chance to finish this book. It's become one of my favorites and I was happy to have a reason to read it again! I can't wait to hear what you all thought of it.
I'll put some of the discussion questions from the back of the book in a comment. If you'd like to talk about any of them, great, and if not I'd love to hear any other thoughts you had while reading it!
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6 comments:
Do you think there really was a Pope Joan?
Why might medieval society have believed so strongly that education hampered a woman's ability to bear children? What purpose might that belief have served?
Do you think Joan could have been happy living her life as a woman?
I haven't been able to read it yet!!! I've been working on getting a library card since I moved and have been unsuccessful so far! I'll comment when I finish it!
Aubrey--
I didn't get my library card until 4/20 and was afraid I couldn't finish the book so I didn't read, I'm so sorry. But I'm just getting back into reading and I'm tending to pick shorter books. As soon as I pick up a book, I look at how big the print is and how many pages are in it--I know I'm so lame, but this is how I am gradually getting into this hobby. I hope there are some other readers out there of this book. If not, maybe we can try this book again another month?
Ok, sorry I was so slow, but I JUST finished reading it last night (actually, 2am this morning!!) I LOVED IT!!!!! Thanks so, so much for recommending it. Sadly, this is not a book I would've chosen for myself, just based on the synopsis... which means, had Aubrey not chosen it, I never would've read it!!!
I took me much longer to read this, than most books, mainly because the setting was unfamiliar to me, so I was careful to read each word, whereas normally I would skim or speed read a book. But it was so worth the time it took to read it. Joan is an amazing woman who did awesome things.
To answer the questions Aubrey asked... I could honestly see Pope Joan as being a real person. Why not? I'm a firm believer that despite tries to stifle a persons creativity and spirit, some people are strong enough to break through, so why not!
I think the medivial mentality of smart women not bearing children was a way of breaking a woman's spirit and kind of brain washing them.
I don't think she would have or even could've lived happily as a woman. That became clear to me at the end when she had many opportunities to run away with Gerold and become a wife and mother... it just wasn't something that was appealing to her.
I have to run, but I have tons more to say on this book! I loved it.
I didn't get my book until late, but I couldn't put it down when I did. I agree that I probably wouldn't have chosen this book for myself, but that's why I love book clubs. I get to read books that are good that I've never heard of! Anyway, I think that Pope Joan was a real person too...especially after reading the author's notes afterwards.
I totally agree that the belief about women and children vs. literacy was totally a way of brainwashing women and keeping them submissive to males and unlearned so that they can't think for themselves. Also, it kept men in control because they were the only ones who knew anything.
On whether or not Joan would've been happy as a woman...I keep contemplating that. I think that after she had chosen her life as a man that she probably wouldn't have been happy going back...but if she hadn't left before Gerold got back to propose to her and she followed that life then, then I think she would have been very happy being his wife and being in love and being free to learn and teach her children. Maybe that's just me being optimistic because I love being a mom so much! :)
One more thing...reading this book really made me realize how glad I am to have the restored gospel on the earth. I mean, I could not believe how horrible and corrupt some of those priests were who would just beat people to death if they could, all in the name of Christ. It was appalling to me! No wonder so many people had a hard time knowing what to believe.
Anyway, sorry again that it took me so long to read this...but thanks for the good pick!
Tiffany- your comment makes so much sense! I'm beginning to agree with you... I don't think Gerold would've kept her from learning had they gotten married, so she probably would've been happy living as a woman. She did seem to have a special place in her heart for teaching children, which to me, shows that she had some of the nurturing instincts of a mother.
Anyone else sad at how the love story part of the book ended? I was rooting for her and Gerold through the whole book, though from the stories of other characters (Gerold and his wife, Joan's parents) it seems that relationships based on love weren't the "cool thing" in that time period. It seemed to be about convience or station in life.
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