Name: Rev. Paige Wolfanger
Location: Chicago, IL
Date: September 30, 2007
I re-read Pope Joan again recently, and now as a pastor in the church, I have to
say, "the more things
change, the more they stay the same." Thanks for the reminder.
Name: Kim McGuiness
Location: Chesterfield MO
Groupname: Have a Life bookclub
Date: September 30, 2007
My sister who lives in Minnesota is also in a
bookclub. Whenever it is my turn to choose my book club's selection, I contact
her to find out what they have enjoyed. This time she targeted Pope Joan, saying
it provided a great discussion and was a great read. We hope that you can join
us by speakerphone.
Name: Zev Gross
Location: Jerusalem, Israel
Date: September 27, 2007
Both my wife and I found the book an excellent read, without regard to the
fiction/non-fiction controversy. It definitely gives one (I am not a historian,
so this is subjective) a feeling for the period. There is however
one point that bothered me. On page 30 or thereabouts mention was made of a
feast at which boiled corn was served. I am under the impression that corn came
from the New World (i.e. the Americas) and did not exist in Europe at the time
of the story. Is this an error?
Reply from the author, Donna Woolfolk Cross:
Many readers have been troubled by the use of the word "corn" in the novel.
But I took the description of this meal right off the pages of a ninth-century
manuscript. Here's where the problem arises: "Corn" is an ancient word, used
generically to mean "grain" or seed". What we call "corn" is actually
"maize"--a New World crop, as Zev astutely points out. Over time, the two words
have become confused.
So it's not a historical error. But it was a poor choice on my part, for it's
never a good idea to create confusion/doubt in the minds of readers. If I had
it to do over, I'd write "boiled barley" instead.
From: Nancy Hoover
Date: September 27, 2007
Thank you again for chatting with THE BOOK CLUB from Westerville, Ohio last
evening. After we completed the chat with you, we all kept remarking about how
much we learned from you. Your explanation about your research for POPE JOAN was
very fascinating! Believe me, when your new book is published, we will all buy
copies. If you do phone chats for your new book, we will try to schedule another
chat with you then. You are so interesting and fun. We really enjoyed meeting
you by phone and learning more about POPE JOAN. Good luck with your new book and
with the movie of POPE JOAN!
Nancy Hoover
[Want to request a chat with the author for your group?
Link here.]
Name: Rosa DeSouza
Location: Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
Date: September 23, 2007
I've just learned about your work, site and
forthcoming movie about Pope Poan. I'm a Portuguese/american writer living in
southern Brazil at the moment. Funny how life is. Next week I'm publishing a
book in So Paulo, Brasil,
entitled 'Testiculos Habet, et Bene Pendentes'. Its focus is the contradictions
of our culture, where half of mankind is not allowed to use free will. In my
book I use Pope Joan's story to illustrate the discrimination against women
throughout history, revealing the true story of humanity and its possibilities.
I am very pleased with the movie coming out on the subject, and if there's
anything I can do to further this idea, I'm at your service. Can we talk?
Name: Marianne McBeth
Location: Bellaire, MI 49615
Date: September 23, 2007
(Posted on the book
and school group chat request page.) I heard about Pope Joan from
someone in the beauty parlor. Everyone was talking about the book, so our
group chose this one to discuss. I loved the book! I realize this is late but
we meet tomorrow and I just found your web site and hope you
might call to chat with us by speakerphone. Thanks. Marianne
Name: JUDY WYNDHAM
Location: BLUE RIDGE, GEORGIA
Date: September 23, 2007
A friend recommended Pope Joan to me. We have a newly formed book club, and
this will be our first book for reading and discussion - all based on my
review of the book. Having the discussion questions in the book helps a lot
to guide the group. Having you available to join us by speakerphone would be
awesome.
Name: Dolf Hartsuiker
Location: Utrecht, Holland
Date: September 23, 2007
I read the book Pope Joan in Dutch. Very interesting
and exciting. As I'm doing research into the saint and hermit Anthony Abbot, I
was very much intrigued by a a small paragraph about Anthony's feastday, when
Joan blesses cattle with Holy Water.
What I'd like to know is where I can find the
historical source of this occurrence, since it would prove that Anthony had
already transformed from the ascetical hermit into the patron saint and
protector of animals (and healer of people) in the 9th century, which would make
this the first indication of when this happened, and perhaps even how.
If you could provide me with an answer on this, I'd
be very grateful.
From: Marla
Date: September 18, 2007
Our book club would love to read your book, Pope Joan, and chat with you
by speakerphone for our March 2008 book club meeting. We have been wanting to
read your book for years and we are so thrilled that we have the opportunity of
speaking with you, it must have been meant to be that we have not read Pope
Joan yet. We have read other historical fiction novels and we selected
Pope Joan for our choice for this year and also for our Invite the Author
book.
We are a small book club of mothers, the BBC, that started from a parenting
organization, who we have out-lived. The BBC has been in existence for 9
years. We are very flexible and are very excited about reading and discussing
your book, so please let us know what would be best for you.
Name: Michelle Miller Bean
Location: Rockville, MD
Groupname: St. Mary's
Date: September 17, 2007
We have about a dozen members in our reading group and everyone makes a
suggestion
for the coming year. Pope Joan was highly recommended by our Book Club
leader Glenda Ashkin. We hopefully look forward to meeting with you by
speakerphone. Please accept this invitation to stop by and meet with
us. Thanks!
From: Susan O'Connell
Subject: Pope Joan in San Diego, California
Date: September 15, 2007
Our book group LOVED talking with you by speakerphone
and discussing Pope Joan. It was sooo much fun. The best book club meeting we
have had!!
You were so generous to discuss all our questions and
share your ideas and preparations for writing such a great book. You pulled in
the reader right from the start and we enjoyed your writing style throughout the
book. And we also learned about that time era and what amazing things one woman
can accomplish!
I love books that are exciting yet I can still learn
from, they are my favorites!
The discussion time with you will truly keep Pope
Joan on our "extra-special-book" list forever! You have such an intelligent and
uplifting personality which made the phone call very engaging for us all.
Thank you, Thank you!!! We all look forward to your
new book when it comes out!!!!
[Want to request a chat with the author for your group?
Link here.]
Name: Barbara Glacel
Location: Brussels, Belgium
Date: September 15, 2007
Donna, Thanks so much for joining our NATO book discussion group this morning
in Brussels. It added an extra dimension to hear your stories and experience you
as a lovely person with a curious nature who brought the story of Joan alive. We
are all eager for the movie to be made and await good news from you! All the
best, Barbara Glacel
[Want to request a chat with the author for your group?
Link here.]
From: Marty Martin
Location: Youngsville, NC
Georgetown Ladies Book Club
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Georgetown Ladies Book Club is waking up in
Youngsville, rolling over and our first thought is, this is Donna Cross book
club night! My second thought, get in the kitchen, got some cooking to do.
Anyway, this is your requested reminder about our
speakerphone chat tonight We will be in place at 7:00 pm, Sister Mary
Cosmopolitans balanced gracefully in our diamond laden slender fingers.... yeah,
right, I forgot, this is Youngsville, NC.
Actually this is a smart, fun and educated group (as
I suspect most book clubs are) and all of us have lived and traveled many places
and just got together for our first meeting for The Devil in the White City,
then came Time Traveler's Wife and now my favorite, Pope Joan.
Name: Diana Webb
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Groupname: Neighborhood Book Group
I'm requesting another speakerphone chat. We enjoyed
chatting with you so much at my last book club that I wanted to share it with my
book group in my new neighborhood!
Name: Jennifer Chort
Location: Hershey, Pennsylvania
Date: Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Our October Book club meeting will be our book club
5th anniversary. I have been searching for a book that will lead to interesting
discussion and one deserving of the 5 year reading. Would really like to set up
a speakerphone chat with the author.
Name: Ann Lyon
Location: Houston, Texas
Groupname: Bay Oaks CC Book Club
Date: Wednesday, September 12, 2007
A friend gave me your novel. I loved it! My book club
meets monthly for discussion, and we are reading Pope Joan for November. Look
forward to hearing from you about setting up a speakerphone chat.
From: Lynda Moore
Subject: RE: Pope Joan in Fort Lauderdale, Florida?
Date: Wed, 12 Sep 2007
Hi, Donna. Thank you so much for your response. Our
book group is absolutely THRILLED that you are available to speak with us! I
apologize for the delay in responding to you, but we wanted to pick a date that
worked for the majority of our members. It seems that Wednesday, October 24
works for all of us.
If that date is still available, please put us in
your calendar! Now that we are looking forward to speaking with you, some of us
are reading Pope Joan for the second time!!! I believe I mentioned to you that
at least half of our women are Catholic, so we found the book to be especially
interesting. I know that I am not alone in recommending Pope Joan to others
outside of our book club!
Thanks again, Donna. I am so looking forward to
speaking with you!
Name: Betsy Maguire
Location: Simsbury, CT
Date: Tuesday, September 11, 2007
I asked my sister, who lives in PA, what her book
group's favorite book has been and she answered Pope Joan! My reading group has
been together for over 10 years, and I know they are just going to love this
one!
From: M. Ratkin
Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2007
Subject: Re: Sept. 10 bookclub
Donna...thank you for a most interesting, enjoyable
and FUN evening chatting with you by speakerphone! We greatly appreciated your
time, expertise insights and good humor as well. And, we now look forward
to your next book, and, of course, the movie Pope Joan!
With warmest regards from our bookgroup (about 14
members)!
Name: Vivian Entous
Location: Sherman Oaks, California
Date: Monday, September 10, 2007
We are a group of 13 women who formed a book group 2
years ago as part of Brandeis University National Women's Committee. We meet
once a month, and have chosen Pope Joan as our book for October. It was chosen
by one of our members after she had read reviews online, as well as enthusiastic
recommendations from other readers. Would love to arrange a speakerphone chat
with the author.
Name: Rosemary Sergakis
Location: New Albany Ohio
Groupname: New Albany Women's Network
Date: Thursday, September 06, 2007
I saw a mention of the bookclubcookbook in a women's
magazine. Found Pope Joan in there and thought our book group would give it a
try.We LOVED Pope Joan! It would be splendid if Donna would chat with us by
speakerphone.
Name: Lisa Ackerman
Location: Buffalo, NY
Date: Thursday, September 06, 2007
I recently took a course on the cultural and social
history of the Middle Ages and found myself intrigued by the lengths women would
go to in order to educate themselves. I needed to find out more and in my own
research I came across Pope Joan. By far the story of Pope Joan took me by the
most surprise. Having heard nothing of her legend during my Catholic upbringing
was, however, not a surprise after seeing the great lengths the church goes to
keep things hidden.
I wonder if you might suggest where I can look for
more detailed information that goes beyond the basic story. I have had some
success in my university library archives, but I would love to clear up some of
the conflicting information I am finding. Any advice or help would be greatly
appreciated. Thank you so much!
From: A S Dahl
Date: Tue, 04 Sep 2007
Subject: Re: Pope Joan in Lexington, Kentucky? THANK YOU!
Our book group really enjoyed our visit with you by
speakerphone tonight! Thank you for taking the time to call us. It was a very
special night for our little group.
[Want to request a chat with the author for your group?
Link here.]
Name: Sue Warriner
Location: Flower Mound, TX
Date: Wednesday, August 29, 2007
I read Pope Joan several years ago while I was doing
my teaching certification. I actually did an on-line chat with Donna for one of
my education classes. Now I am the member of a book club that is made up
primarily of English/Reading teachers. September is my month to pick a book, and
I thought "GREAT!" It will give me an opportunity to re-read a wonderful book
and to also introduce the book to other educators. Look forward to being able to
"chat" with you!
Name: Jean Jennissen
Location: Brandon, Minnesota
Groupname: Novel Experience
Date: Monday, August 27, 2007
(Posted on the book
and school group chat request page.) I first heard about Pope Joan at a
family gathering a few years ago after one of the major networks featured her on
one of the shows. I didn't see the show but the topic was very controversial
since my husband and I are both from very large traditional Catholic families. I
read your book, loved it and picked it as my selection for our book club.
Name: Bernardo Teufel
Location: Guanajuato, Mexico
Date: Saturday, August 25, 2007
I just finished reading Pope Joan, and it has been
one of the best books I ever read. I loved the story, and all the fascinating
historical facts you included. I strongly believe in Pope's Joan existence, and
I only hope the movie will be as good as the book.
Congratulations for your work.
Name: Judith Patterson
Location: San Diego, CA
Date: Saturday, August 25, 2007
Your book is wonderful. Thank you. I just finished it
while in the bath.
Yes, the water had grown cold before I stepped out of
the tub! I could not stop. I had to keep reading.
Please, though, fix this spelling error. I noticed it
in two editions--your answer to the last question in the book. There is no "D"
in the word "privilege." Thank you for fixing that error in the next edition.
And my heartfelt thanks for creating this wonderful book.
From: Linda
Subject: Thank you!
Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2007
Our PageTurners reading group in Olympia, Washington
had a wonderful discussion of "Pope Joan" yesterday, and we want to send you a
special thanks for being part of our meeting.
It was such a pleasure having you with us – even from
afar! We all thoroughly enjoyed your book and we sincerely look forward to
your next literary work. You have gained many fans and supporters!
Thank you so much for being with us. We truly
appreciated our time together!
From: STACEY H GRAIZIGER
Subject: Re: Pope Joan in Eden Prairie, Minnesota?
THANK YOU!! We loved chatting with you by
speakerphone! Your enthusiasm for Joan and her story was remarkable.
Thank you for taking time out of your very hectic
schedule. It was a highlight for our book reading group. We're all looking
forward to your new book!
We'll be watching for your email updates! :)
[Want to request a chat with the author for your group?
Link here.]
Name: Nancy Hoover
Location: Westerville,Ohio 43081
Groupname: The Book Club
Date: August 08, 2007
I am constantly searching the web
for other book clubs' list of recommended books. POPE JOAN kept appearing on
several lists. I am so delighted that you will be able to have a speakerphone
chat with our book club here in Westerville, Ohio! Yes, our group has read YOUR
Pope Joan and we loved it. The night that we discussed the book, I remember that
several members asked questions that started with "wonder what the author.....?"
I am so excited that you will be able to chat. Again, thank you so much
for taking the time from your schedule to talk with our group. It will be such a
pleasure to hear from you about your wonderful book POPE JOAN.
Name: stacey graiziger
Location: Eden Prairie, MN
Date: August 06, 2007
HI Donna....it would be so fun for our book club to chat with you. This is a
new club and they loved your book. I read Pope Joan about 6-7 years ago with
another book club. We spent a lot of time discussing it and so I recommended the
book again for this club. There are so many topics that come from this book. It
was fun to see ABC did a special on it too! Would you be able to chat with us?
Thank you for your consideration. There will be about 16 women present.
Name: Aleksandra Bogus
Location: Gdansk, Poland
Date: Saturday, July 14, 2007
Time: 10:37 AM
I am delighted by this book! I can't find the right words to describe how it affected my life, my thoughts, my outlook on life. I wish I were as strong and brave as Joan was. It is a touching book, which enriched my knowledge of life and helped me to look at some every-day problems from a different angle.
Name: Phyllis Harrison
Location: Woodmere, NY
Groupname: Sons of Israel Sisterhood
Date: Wednesday, July 11, 2007
(Posted on the book
and school group chat request page.)
A teacher at my school recommended Pope Joan. I read the novel and LOVED it and suggested it to our book group.
Name: Andrea Perrier
Location: Vernon, BC, Canada
Date: Saturday, June 30, 2007
Hi, It's the 10th anniversary of my book club and we would be so excited to
talk to Donna Woolfolk Cross about Pope Joan!! It would be really special. Thank you very much for considering our request for a speakerphone chat. Andrea Perrier
Name: lynn blakeway
Location: Minnetrista, MN
Groupname: Queens on Kings
Date: Wednesday, June 27, 2007
The first meeting of our book club began November 2006. During that meeting we suggested book titles/authors that we might be interested in reading and then we voted to determine the top 11 books to read for the year (we meet every month except December). I can't remember who recommended Pope Joan but someone in the group had read the book and highly recommended it. We would love to chat by speakerphone with the author!
Name: Kathleen Livingston/Barb Ritsema
Location: West Bloomfield MI
Groupname: Pine Lake
Date: Monday, June 25, 2007
We learned about Pope Joan as another book group read the novel and highly recommended it. That book group learned about it from the "The Book Club Cookbook". It was a fascinating read! The date we've requested for a speakerphone chat with the author is the only time our group has to review the book. If it is not possible for Donna to join us by then, we will not be able to do it.
From: Jeremy & Mary Beth Greenop
Subject: a huge thank you
Date: Sat, 23 Jun 2007
I cannot thank you enough for getting yourself up early and ready to chat to our book group last week. We got such a buzz out to talking to "the horse’s mouth" - we could have keep you on the line for hours. It adds a terrific dimension to put a personality behind an author and glean a little insight into the planning and execution of a book beyond what you can read on the internet.
We can’t wait for the next book and meanwhile we have ordered loads of copies of Pope Joan to give to our friends as presents! I’ll keep watching the website. You are not only a star to us all – but as a result our children think we are all pretty cool – no mean feat with
teenagers!
Warm regards, Mary Beth & the Brussels NATO International Club Book Club
p.s. Those of our members who couldn’t be there were SO jealous!
From: gwen smith
Sent: Friday, June 22, 2007 12:50 AM
Subject: Re: Welcome!
Thank you for your time spent talking by speakerphone to our Book Club in Kitchener/Waterloo tonight. It was a great opportunity to get answers to things I wondered about whilst reading the book, such as herbs and spices and potions made from them, and of course, The Chair! I look forward to your next book and of course the movie too.
Thank you. Gwen Smith
Name: JoAnna Michaels
Location: Citrus Heights, Ca USA
Date: Monday, June 18, 2007
Time: 01:39 AM
Dear Donna,
I read Pope Joan, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. It is easy to believe that she did exist and that the church covered all of the historical tracks that it could. I loved the story on another level, for I am now living my life as a gender I
was not born to, and some in my family have also tried to cover any history of me.
Name: Trish Fullerton
Location: Mountain View, CA 94043
Date: Saturday, June 16, 2007
Time: 05:18 PM
Hi Donna! I met you at book group expo last Saturday. We had a wonderful conversation in French, talked about Dijon and the 1000 AD church there, and how one realizes that they are at once nothing and everything in the eyes of time. It was a thrilling moment for me to find a kindred spirit. After reading nightly for a week, I just finished Pope Joan and loved it! Formidable! Well done! And to think that she and others like her existed - even up to modern times. Now I am going to have to read your other books -especially how the media makes up your mind (or tries).
It was such a delight to meet you, and I look forward to your works in the future!
Subject: Request for telephone interview
Date: Fri, 15 Jun 2007
From: Christine Durling
The Ravenous Readers Book Group were very disappointed not to be able to chat
with you by speakerphone; sorry our schedules didn't coincide. But I thought you would
like to know that every one of my Ravenous Readers loved Pope Joan. Quite a feat since I
have a wide range of readers both in levels and in interests!
Christine Durling, Media Specialist, Bordentown Regional High School
Name: angelica
Location: campobasso, italia
Date: Friday, June 15, 2007
I like very much the book. I learned a lot about that time, about the popes that I didn' t know. I love "Papessa Giovanna" and I fall in love with Gerardo
P.S. SCUSE ME FOR MISTAKES, BUT I' M ITALIAN!!!
From: Pauline Druschel
Subject: Re: Oops!
Date: Tue, 12 Jun 2007
Donna, I want to tell you how much our book group enjoyed the speakerphone talk with you. They were very pleased with the information you offered, and we all gained a new perspective on historical fiction. You are wonderful to give this support to book groups and I am hoping it all comes back to you in bushels of success. We are hoping with the movie that your success is magnified. When you come to speak in Ann Arbor in November, we are hoping some of us get to see you.
[Want to request a chat with the author for your group?
Link here.]
Name: Gail Park
Location: Tumwater, WA
Date: Monday, June 11, 2007
Time: 06:24 PM
Thanks so much for joining our Page Turners book group by speakerphone last week. I hadn't been able to tell the group in advance that you were participating (thanks for accommodating us on such short notice!), and everyone was thrilled and delighted when they found out. It was definitely the highlight of all our meetings to date!
Gail Park, Library Manager, Tumwater Timberland Library
From: Mary D. Sullivan-Pondell
Date: Fri, 08 Jun 2007
Subject: Re: Pope Joan in Canadian Lakes, Michigan
Hi, Donna! Thanks a lot for phoning the Lunch Bunch at my home this noon. The women, even those who became shy about speaking, were SO pleased to have the experience. We had talked for about an hour before the call, so I know that you did cover material that some of the other gals were planning to ask. For this group it was a totally new "literary trip". We all look forward to seeing the movie version. I hope that you'll have some input, as they work with your book. I'll tell my 3 daughters to read "Pope Joan" --- perhaps the older granddaughters also. I'm a grandma of 10 who gives many books as gifts. Then they will love seeing the movie in the future.
From: Eric F.
Subject: RE: Pope Joan in Lynbrook, New York
Date: Thu, 07 Jun 2007
Donna, It was great discussing your wonderful book with you last night with our 1st Wednesday Reading Group. It was very exciting for all of us and your insights and thoughts were very enlightening. I want to mention how much I enjoyed Joan's response at the Synod in Chapter 27 regarding the argument of revering the wisdom of the ancients. Joan's response to that which starts off "Everything that is old was once new..." is a wonderfully succinct and eloquent rebuttal of an argument used since the commencement of civilization and continues to be trumpeted today in American politics. I am going to try to remember that for future use in my own discussions.
Once again thank you for sharing your valuable time with us and we wish you luck with your upcoming novel. We hope the movie issues are quickly resolved so Pope Joan can be brought to the big screen soon!
Sincerely, Eric Fromme
[Want to request a chat with the author for your group?
Link here.]
Name: Susan Porter
Location: Charleston, SC
Groupname: The Charleston Reading Group
(Posted on the book
and school group chat request page.)
We learned about Pope Joan because of its excellent reviews, and a couple of
our book club members had read it already and loved it!
From: Beth
Date: Fri, 1 Jun 2007
Subject: Re: Pope Joan in Cherry Hill, New Jersey
Thanks so much for the wonderful chat last night. We all enjoyed it so much!! Your book was fascinating and we look forward to your next one. We are all spreading the word about what a wonderful choice your book is for a book discussion. A friend in another book club is doing Pope Joan for their summer book and they also hope to set up a chat with you. It was fun, what a memorable experience. Again, many thanks. Beth
[Want to request a chat with the author for your group?
Link here.]
From: Dottie Shoemaker
Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Dear Donna, It has taken all these years to be introduced to your fabulous book, Pope Joan the problem is all else now pales by comparison after this experience.... I have recommended it to at least 30-40 people since I finished it and hopefully they are buying the book !! Have recommended to the Easttown Library and Information Center in Berwyn,Pa. for the Fall reading list for the Book Club. Can't wait to see the movie.. although it simply can not be as good as my imagination. At several points during the read my heart was beating so fast I though it would jump out of my chest!!
You are brilliant and I am so grateful to have the good fortune to have the opportunity to absorb this gift. God bless you.
Name: Rebecca
Location: Quincy,MA
Date: Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Time: 12:47 PM
I relished reading this book! I am part of a church book group in which we read only fiction with religious elements (plot, theme, character, place) I found your Pope Joan in the top 20 books recommended on a Spiritual Books web site. It is also my book choice for my other bookgroup, the First Friday Salon. I have no reservations about Joan's authenticity. Women are resourceful andcreative when need be. Throughout the ages our sisters have been attaining goals beyond expectations in and out of disguise. Like the scribe who putJoan back into the church history, and the Pope who put her back into the lineage (Pope John XXI),you are putting her back into the present female psyche. May her bravery, determination, and humanity remind us of the greatness of womankind we all share. And would that the Catholic Church could embrace her history and honor her commitment and love for all that truely is the "church".
Name: Gail Park
Location: Tumwater, Wa
Groupname: Tumwater PageTurners
Date: Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Our PageTurner reading group meets monthly at the library. The meeting room
is booked far in advance, which limits our available date to the one choice, June 6th. Pope Joan is a selection available to us as a kit, with several books, books on tape, large print and discussion guide. Each year we vote as a group on which titles from the kit selections we want to read. We have about 10 women in our group (it is open to men as well, but none have come so far!) As we can not supply a 2nd or 3rd date request, we understand if Donna is not available, but we sincerely hope she can accommodate us!
Name: Jennifer
Location: Edwardsville, IL
Date: Thursday, May 24, 2007
Time: 12:08 PM
Everyone, I just wanted to add to the acclaim I see here on the website. What a wonderful journey (book)! I am a "historical fiction" fan(atic?), and always have been. I love it when ideas/legends/myths are put to the test, questioned, and then given a plausible background (i.e. story). I was so taken by this story that (though I know I'll never be able to do it) I'm more interested than ever in visiting St. Peter's Cathedral and Rome in general. I'm a bit of a history buff, in case it isn't obvious... Though I am not of the Catholic faith, all of the mysteries surrounding it are definitely interesting to the nth degree for me... Thank you for capturing my attention in such a way that I find myself disappointed now I have finished the book. What an accomplishment for any reader, and/or writer for that matter! I look forward to a new adventure Ms. Woolfolk will allow me to experience with her next novel.
Name: Eric Fromme
Location: Lynbrook, New York
Groupname: The Evening Book Club of Lynbrook
Date: Friday, May 18, 2007
The book was suggested by one of our members who had already read it. The book evoked the immediate interest of several members and was therefore chosen. It is too difficult to change the date for our meeting so I have given you the date we will meet and crossing my fingers that you will be available. We commence our meetings at 7:30, so pursuant to your guidelines the call would be made at 8:00 PM or later. We would be happy to extend the meeting to 9:30 PM if you can make the call at 9:00 PM. Thank you for your consideration!
Name: Joan H
Location: London, England
Date: Sunday, May 13, 2007
Time: 11:33 AM
Dear Donna, This book is my 'bible'! Thank you very much indeed for telling Joan's history in such a marvellous book. Bravo! Well done! Pope Joan Anglicus is as much an inspiration as St Joan of Arc. God bless you! Keep up the good and brilliant work for women. I'm looking forward to the film as well as your next book. Donna, you and Pope Joan rock! Cheers!
From: Susan Porter
Subject: Re: Pope Joan in Charleston, South Carolina
Date: Thu, 10 May 2007
Thank you so much for your quick response to our book group request for a speakerphone chat with you. We are, of course, disappointed that you will be away on that date but hats off to the system you have created allowing you to speak to bookclub groups. The author of The Secret Life of Bees came and spoke to us and, of course, it allowed us to get a much greater perspective on the book. As we schedule our dates at the very beginning of the year, there was no wiggle room for a change. Perhaps we could schedule a chat with you for our first Fall meeting. I will be back in touch. Congratulations on such a great book!
From: Christine Durling
Subject: RE: Request for telephone interview
Date: Thu, 10 May 2007 08:35:59 -0400
Hi Donna! Judy Gelman and Vicky Krupp selected our library reading group to be featured in their new book, The Kids Book Club Book. They asked me what book we were reading and when I told her it was your book Pope Joan, they forwarded your email address and suggested that we chat with you. I will put together a couple of dates and make our request on the website form. Looking forward to our speakerphone chat!
PS: I loved your book--and I gather that most of our readers who have finished Pope Joan really enjoyed it!
From: Linda L. Cooper
Subject: Thank You!
Date: Tue, 8 May 2007 22:37:16 -0700
Just a quick note to let you know how much our reading group enjoyed our speakerphone discussion with you tonight. Everyone was so impressed about your enthusiasm and knowledge and quick response to our questions. You have certainly taken our reading group to another level.
Name: Marian Pierre-Louis
Location: Medway, MA
Groupname: Medway Mavens
Date: Sunday, May 06, 2007
Every few months our book group sits around and
discusses future book titles. One of our members had read Pope Joan and raved
about it. The story seemed very interesting. To make a theme about women and
gender roles we read Middlesex last month and are following it up with your
novel this month. We would be very excited to actually discuss this with you by
speakerphone!
From: Diana Webb
Location: Salt Lake City
Date: May 7, 2007Thank you so very much for
the great chat you had by speakerphone with our book group Thursday evening.
Everyone loved it so much! We all commented on how energetic and spirited you
were as you shared your experiences with us. Cynthia, the one who wanted the 3
maps, has a sister in another state who was puzzling over what book to do with
her book group. She (Cynthia) suggested Pope Joan and her sister is excited!
I told you that I hope you will chat with my other
book club in October. I'll be getting back to you about that.
Thank you again for your time. We all loved the
experience.
[Want to request a chat with the author for your group?
Link here.]
From: Mary Huebner
Location: Cumberland, MD
Date: May 1, 2007
On behalf of the Wellness Book Discussion Group of
Allegany College of Maryland, I would like to thank you for joining our group
last Wednesday, April 25, 2007, to discuss your book, "Pope Joan."
Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the book and the
discussion. Thank you so much for being our guest and facilitating the
discussion. It was most enjoyable. We'll keep our eyes and ears out for your new
book, and hopefully 'meet' you again at another discussion!
Name: Melissa Voland
Location: Portsmouth, Ohio
Date: Tuesday, April 24, 2007
I am a history major at Shawnee State Univ. and am
doing a paper on Pope Joan. other than your book could you tell me where you got
some of you info on her?
From: Abbie Winskowicz
Location: Topsfield, Massachusetts
Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2007
I can't believe how accommodating you are. Thanks for
agreeing to join our reading group discussion at such short notice! It will
impress and surprise the heck out of my book group, who also loved your book by
the way. I can't wait until you finish the book you are working on
now..........The theme of strong women overcoming major societal obstacles has
always been dear to my heart. My cousin's daughter dressed like a man 20 years
ago so she could play semi-pro hockey...........so it's not that ancient a theme
after all... I am in touch with several book clubs here and have already
recommended "Pope Joan" to all of them and to my sister-in-law's book club in
California........
So keep writing girl!!!
[Want to request a chat with the author for your group?
Link here.]
Name: Bonnie O'Shea
Location: East Longmeadow, MA
Groupname: The Readers Book Club
Date: Monday, April 23, 2007The novel was
recommended by a friend who loved it (as did I!). I know this is a late request
but I'm hoping you will be available to chat with our group by speakerphone.. I
stumbled across your website while looking for a reader's guide to use for
discussion. We would be thrilled it you could lead us through the discussion!
Name: Abbie Winskowicz
Location: Topsfield, MA
Groupname: "The Persian Pickle Club"
Date: Saturday, April 21, 2007
I was doing research, trying to find a special book
for our Book Club and I came across "Pope Joan". It was very difficult to put
down! I'm a slow reader, but I read this book in 3 days. One of the best books I
have ever read, quite honestly.
Name: Marty Martin
Location: Youngsville, North Carolina
Groupname: Georgetown Ladies Book Club
Date: Thursday, April 19, 2007
(Posted on the book
and school group chat request page.)
Pope Joan was suggested at my previous book club by a German friend, she said
the book was huge in Europe and wanted to give it play in the U.S. Our
discussion made for an amazing evening. This is my all time favorite book. The
times, the history, exceptional writing and situations all make for lively
discussion.
This is a book I will always keep and read again.
Name: Dania Kronick
Location: Boca Raton Florida
Date: Monday, April 16, 2007
I heard about Pope Joan from friends who had read it
and thought it was GREAT! I hope you can join our book group discussion by
speakerphone.
Name: Kristy Cameron
Location: Canada
Date: Tuesday, April 17, 2007
I would just like to say that I loved Pope Joan! I
had to pick a book for an ISU World History assignment, and your book has made
the assignment so much more interesting. I really enjoyed the story and
appreciated that the majority was historically accurate.
You are an amazing writer, can't wait for the next
book.
From: Christine
Location: Kinnelon, New Jersey
I just wanted to thank you again for calling into our
book club last night, especially at such short notice! It was so amazing to be
able to talk directly to an author of a book we all loved so much, and to hear
your insights and inspirations. We are looking forward to your next book and
your next heroine!
Have a great weekend and thank you again -- we felt
so honored!!
[Want to request a chat with the author for your group?
Link here.]
Name: KLynn Miller
Location: Nampa, Idaho
Groupname: Nampa 4th Ward Relief Society
Date: Monday, April 16, 2007
(Posted on the book
and school group chat request page.)
My daughter read it in her book club and they had a speakerphone discussion with
you. She loved it so much she recommended it to me. My husband read it and I
just finished it, so I recommended it to our book club.
Name: Katherine Moberg-Botko
Location: Novato, CA 94945
Groupname: The Big No's
Date: Monday, April 16, 2007
We'd like to request a speakerphone chat with the
author, based on a recommendation by another book club. They couldn't put it
down!
Name: maria de la sierra
Location: macon, ga.
Groupname: literary lunatics
Date: Friday, April 13, 2007
(Posted on the book
and school group chat request page.)
I've been surfing for historical fiction. Pope Joan has been on the reading list
for our reading group for some time and it was just recently selected.
Fabulous book! We thought is would provoke stimulating discussion on various
levels.
Name: Julia Peterson
Location: Marquette, Mi
Date: Saturday, April 07, 2007
I'm doing my senior seminar paper on Pope Joan. I am
trying to find out where the idea that, "The size of a woman's brain and her
uterus were believed to be inversely proportionate; the more a woman learned,
the less likely she would ever bear children." It is a historiographical paper
and would enhance my paper to be able to present.
Name: Peggy Jensen
Location: Salt Lake City , Utah
Date: Tuesday, April 03, 2007
(Posted on the book
and school group chat request page.)
I was next to select a book for our book group so I called my daughter-in-law in
Driggs, Idaho. She is in three book clubs...long cold winters! She read it in
her Jackson book club and said it was the best discussion and everyone loved the
book. She said it was their favorite book yet!
From: Kathy & Bob Gustafson
Location: Bolivia, North Carolina?
Date: Sat, 31 Mar 2007
My apologies for not getting back to you sooner .....
but we all really enjoyed our discussion with you on March 15th. It was great to
be able to hear your perspective on our questions about Pope Joan. How you wove
the story to create the links and make everything fit together made for very
interesting reading.
We're singing your praises and recommending Pope Joan
to all our friends. Now we're waiting for the movie and your next book!
From: Raghda
Date: Sat, 31 Mar 2007
Subject: A Pleasant Valley Hello..
What an AWSOME and WONDERFUL treat it was to talk
with you last night! Everyone was delighted and appreciative for taking
the time to chat with us.
Anyway, I can't wait for your next book, which I
forgot to ask you about it. Please let me know when it will be completed ( a
signed copy would be great).
I hope I get to meet you someday. You have inspired
me to pursue writing (no matter how bad it might be) and thank you so much for
your advise and willingness to help me. You're an amazing writer!
Thanks a million again!
From: sally andreozzi
Date: Thu, 22 Mar 2007
I just wanted to say thank you for your speakerphone
conversation with our book group last night. It was awesome and everyone just
had the best time talking with you. What a treat to speck to the author of such
a powerful book. Our discussion continued long after your call and I can't
recall a time where our group spent so much time on a book!
Looking forward to your next book and of course the
movie of Pope Joan.
Thank you again for making our monthly meeting
memorable.
[Want to request a chat with the author for your group?
Link here.]
Name: Elaine Proulx
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Date: Wednesday, March 21, 2007
There was unanimous praise for "Pope Joan" at our
book club meeting last evening. I think that we all want to believe that Pope
Joan existed as we were transported back in time thanks to your impeccable
research and gift of story telling. We eagerly anticipate the release of the
movie, Pope Joan.
Much of our discussion dealt with equality for women
and how the withholding of education is still practiced today in countries such
as Afghanistan. We also talked about how Joan concealed her identity and found
your explanation of Monk's robes believable. We did have difficulty, however,
with how Joan would have been able to carry out her deception while using the,
presumably communal, toilets. Not to be indelicate--do you know how this would
have been handled in Joan's time?
Also, we would love to know a little more about your
next book and when you anticipate publication.
Thank you for a wonderful literary experience--thumbs
up from everyone in our book club.
From: Paula Dumouchel
Date: Wed, 21 Mar 2007
When I signed the guestbook for Pope Joan, I didn't
expect a personal response from the author herself! I am surprised and thrilled
to read a response from you! The student who passed it to me was a boy from my
grade 8 Religion class. We were discussing ideas and he came up to me afterwards
and suggested it to me. He even loaned me the book! Every now and then, he'd
check in to see how I was doing in my reading and my response was always: "If I
didn't have to work today, I'd still be reading it right now!".
I was absolutely mesmerized by Pope Joan. It is
definitely one of my favourite books! I often read books for the story but
mostly for author style. I always admire authors like yourself who can write in
such an elegant, detailed yet understandable way. Rohinton Mistry was able to
captivate me as a reader with A Fine Balance and you did as well with Pope Joan
from the first sentence. I don't think I will ever stop thinking about her. Her
determination, conviction and courage is inspirational. I will definitely buy a
copy for myself and more to distribute to all the women in my life. What a
great, great, great story! Congratulations on a work well done!
Thank you for responding to my email and for giving
me an opportunity to congratulate you on the incredible task of telling this
story. Any chance you will be coming to Ottawa, Ontario, Canada for a book
signing, talk or workshop on the writing process?
[Want to request a chat with the author for your group?
Link here.]
From: Barbara Youel
Date: Tuesday, March 20, 2007Thank you again
for chatting with The Blue Heron Book Club by speakerphone. We thoroughly
enjoyed our lively discussion! Debbie D'Andrea, the bookstore owner, was
particularly curious about "the chair." She believes that she saw it when she
was in Rome. Could you shed more light on this?
We all plan on going en masse to the movie (and to
dinner too!) All the best in your next creative effort! Our group has talked to
authors before via speakerphone, but none came even close to your level of
energy and interest.
I am attaching a handout which I have produced for
each of the more than 50 books we have read so far. I try to include a variety
of sources if members wish to pursue more.
From: Mary Huebner
Date: Monday, March 19, 2007
We are absolutely delighted that you will be able to
join our reading group by speakerphone! I have already received a couple of
responses from members who have finished reading the novel, and both have been
very positive. I can't wait to read it! We will be ready and waiting for
your call. Thanks again. This is really an honor!!
Name: Eileen Kalukin
Location: Medway, MA
Groupname: Medway Moms
Date: Friday, March 16, 2007
My husband read Pope Joan a while ago and enjoyed it
very much. It kept coming up at our book club as a choice. It was my turn to
pick and our group really likes historical fiction so I chose it. Also, I saw
here on the website that we could set up a chat with the author and that was
very exciting. Hope you can join us by speakerphone.
Name: Rebecca Kobsik
Location: Charlotte, NC
Groupname: Piper Glen Book Club
Date: Thursday, March 15, 2007
(Posted on the book
and school group chat request page.)
I read Pope Joan in a book club 5 years ago and LOVED it. I want to share it
with my new book club. Hope you can join us by speakerphone!
Name: Eileen Kurtz
Location: St. Charles, IL
Groupname: Kingswood Book Club
Date: Monday, March 12, 2007
(Posted on the book
and school group chat request page.)
Our book group read very positive reviews about Pope Joan and also received
first hand comments from friends and colleagues who have read it.
Great work!
From: sue car
Crystal Lake, Illinois
Date: Monday, March 12, 2007
I thought you might like to know that Alexa is the
14-year old daughter of one of our Book Club members. She is making her
confirmation this month. After reading Pope Joan, she was so inspired by the
story that she chose St. Catherine of Alexandria as her patron saint (just as
Joan did) and the name "Catherine" as her confirmation name!
Subject: Re: Pope Joan in Centerville, Ohio
Date: Sat, 10 Mar 2007 17:41:02 -0500
well I will be the first person in line to see your
movie! I think it is truly admirable of you to keep your readers updated and
informed on Pope Joan. We had a very lively and interesting discussion on the
aspects of women living in a man's world, and while we surely missed your input,
we spoke at length about your prowess as a writer.
Congratulations on your success!
From: "sally andreozzi"
Subject: Re: Pope Joan in Hope Valley, Rhode Island?
Thank you for responding. The feedback from our
reading group so far is that everyone loved the book. It should be a great Book
Group discussion....sadly without you.
Best of luck with the movie version. I've already
told the girls that it will definitely be a Book Group trip to the movies!
From: "Susanne Pari"
Subject: Re: Pope Joan at Book Group Expo?
Date: Saturday, March 10, 2007
So I knew I was going to love Pope Joan. I really
don't have the time to read a good book right now, thank you very much, but
you've got me neglecting even my own writing. (Woodly -- now that is a cool
word.) If you can make it, we'd love to have you join us at Book Group Expo from
June 8-10 in San Jose, CA. Let me know if you can come! And now, I return to my
reading chair, thanks to you.
Name: Betsy Holland
Location: Downers Grove, IL
Date: Saturday, March 10, 2007
It was such fun having you on speaker phone for our
bookclub meeting. What a treat! We so enjoyed hearing about the inception of the
book and how you weaved the characters together. We LOVE your voice! You should
definitely be reading the book for an audio version.
Thanx again for such a nice treat.
From: DCC
Date: Fri, 9 Mar 2007 09:15:05 EST
I cannot thank you enough for participating in the
Mistwood book club discussion by speakerphone last night. Your insight was
invaluable and added a great deal to our understanding and enjoyment of your
book. We all look forward to your next work as well as the movie!
Name: Mary Huebner
Location: Cumberland, MD
Groupname: Wellness Book Discussion Group
Date: Thursday, March 08, 2007
Another reading group nearby had Pope Joan on their
list, and a few of us read the reviews and thought it would be a good selection
for our group. Thanks so much for considering our request for a speakerphone
chat with the author!
