Pope Joan
by Emmanuel Royidis
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Description
In this brilliant adaptation of a novel by the 19th century Greek author Emmanuel Royidis, Lawrence Durrell traces the remarkable history of a young woman who travelled across Europe in the ninth century disguised as a monk, acquired great learning, and ruled over Christendom for two years as Pope John VIII before her sudden and surprising death. When "Papissa Joanna" was first published in Athens in 1886 it created a sensation. The book was banned and its author excommunicated. It show more nevertheless brought him immediate fame and the work established itself securely in the history of modern Greek literature. Subsequently Durrell, one of the most important British writers of the 20th century, created a masterpiece in its own right--a dazzling concoction presented with the deftest touch. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
Hmm what can I say. Not much unfortunately. Read this in 2 hours. It should be classed as fantasy fiction - not one of the better fictional accounts though it was the first.
A more indepth review will be shortly forthcoming.
A more indepth review will be shortly forthcoming.
Was there REALLY a woman pope? Durrell shows us how to suspend our disbelief and makes us smile in the bargain.
Catholicism, fiction, Greek, historical fiction, legends, Pope Joan, popes, Rome, religion, satire, fantasy
A história, presumidamente verdadeira, da mulher que, tendo assumido identidade masculina quando jovem, teria chegado ao cargo máximo da cristantade: Papa. Seria a primeira obra a trabalhar o tema.
Nov 2, 2013Portuguese (Brazil)
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What this book isn’t is a factual biography or even a comprehensive argument for the existence of such a controversial figure. Royidis instead insists his “romantic biography” is based upon “unimpeachable sources” for which no authority could be found. Spattered throughout this work are constant references to Greek and Roman mythology, Biblical stories, and historical interludes show more (which if read correctly, account for what passes as a timeline of contemporary events).
Once I got past all the unnecessary narrative, this book read like a script from a “Carry On” movie – a titillating tale of lusty desires and ambition set against a religious backdrop, and heavily cloaked in the guarded innuendo of the time. In fact, Durrell himself says that this work is “a record of the history and misfortune of Eros” which secured Royidis his excommunication from the Catholic Church and his novel worldwide fame. show less
Once I got past all the unnecessary narrative, this book read like a script from a “Carry On” movie – a titillating tale of lusty desires and ambition set against a religious backdrop, and heavily cloaked in the guarded innuendo of the time. In fact, Durrell himself says that this work is “a record of the history and misfortune of Eros” which secured Royidis his excommunication from the Catholic Church and his novel worldwide fame. show less
added by lilithcat
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Author Information
Some Editions
Awards and Honors
Series
Belongs to Publisher Series
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Pope Joan
- Original title
- Ἡ Πάπισσα Ἰωάννα (Hē Papissa Iōanna) (Hē Papissa Iōanna)
- Original publication date
- 1866; 1954 (English Translation) (English Translation); 1960 (Revised edition) (Revised edition)
- People/Characters
- Joan, Pope (legendary)
- Important places
- Vatican City
- First words
- The epic poet usually begins in the middle of everything. Novelists, too, are rather apt to do the same thing - and roughly a tenth of their work may be classified as prose poetry. Thus the hero, while he happens to be stret... (show all)ched out in a cave or a palace, on a couch, or on a bed of down, is in the habit of recapitulating all that has gone before for the benefit of his beloved. 'Having offered love sufficient sacrifice' . . . etc. You know the tag.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Florus became a hermit; and the pious pilgrims, in order not to contaminate their sandals by walking in the footsteps of the sacrilegious woman Pope, have ever since taken another road to the Lateran.
- Original language
- Greek
- Disambiguation notice
- Lawrence Durrell is the predominant translator of this work. The original author is Emmanuel Royidis. For further discussion of combination issues regarding this work please see ... (show all)1" rel="nofollow" target="_new">http://www.librarything.com/topic/605....
Classifications
- Genres
- Fiction and Literature, General Fiction, Historical Fiction
- DDC/MDS
- 889.32 — Literature & rhetoric Classical & modern Greek literatures Modern Greek literature Fiction 1821-1900
- LCC
- BX958 .F2 .R56 — Philosophy, Psychology and Religion Christian Denominations Christian Denominations Catholic Church History
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 391
- Popularity
- 79,777
- Reviews
- 5
- Rating
- (3.53)
- Languages
- 11 — Catalan, Dutch, English, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Portuguese (Portugal), Spanish, Swedish
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 38
- ASINs
- 18
