April Non-Fiction: The Legend of Pope Joan
For this month's non-fiction selection, I chose to delve into a standing mystery in Catholic culture. While quite meaty and intensely well researched, this book also stretches slightly into the memoir category as Peter Sanford intersperses his actual adventures (and misadventures) in uncovering more clues surrounding this elusive figure.
Legend has it that centuries ago (Sanford pinpoints it around the 9th century), a woman achieved the unachievable by disguising herself as a man and winning over clerics and Catholic thinkers. She became Pope John VIII. Her secret was only revealed once she gave birth to a child on a procession in a narrow steep alley in Rome.
Sanford takes us from his accidental discovery of the legend during a lazy vacation overlooking Joan's alley, the "Vicus Papissa", through a fascinating investigation in various Church libraries, cities across Europe and various historic sites.
He explores the historical, philosophical and even psychological aspects of Pope Joan, thoughtfully turning each angle to the light, making her both credible historically and relevant to modern readers. I must say that his research is extensive which at times feels like a laundry list of source snippets, but Sanford weaves these in with his own personal journey, creating a tale that is both educational and amusing. This journey is, in itself, as interesting as the potential truth he searches for along the way.
Legend has it that centuries ago (Sanford pinpoints it around the 9th century), a woman achieved the unachievable by disguising herself as a man and winning over clerics and Catholic thinkers. She became Pope John VIII. Her secret was only revealed once she gave birth to a child on a procession in a narrow steep alley in Rome.
Sanford takes us from his accidental discovery of the legend during a lazy vacation overlooking Joan's alley, the "Vicus Papissa", through a fascinating investigation in various Church libraries, cities across Europe and various historic sites.
He explores the historical, philosophical and even psychological aspects of Pope Joan, thoughtfully turning each angle to the light, making her both credible historically and relevant to modern readers. I must say that his research is extensive which at times feels like a laundry list of source snippets, but Sanford weaves these in with his own personal journey, creating a tale that is both educational and amusing. This journey is, in itself, as interesting as the potential truth he searches for along the way.
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