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Maybe I should NOT try to claim that I have actually and indeed finished reading Donna Woolfolk Cross' Pope Joan, as I have now tried to peruse this here novel a total of four times and not been able (or even in any way all that willing) to proceed past page 100 or so (always giving up in both despair and often even anger). However, and my sincere apologies to those of you who have actually loved Pope Joan (and there does seem to be quite a large number of fans), if I am unable to get past page 100 four times and counting, I do think that it is definitely the truth of the matter that I personally despise either the content or the author's writing style (or perhaps even a combination of both) to such an extent that I can and will only consider a one star ranking at best (and really, if I could, I would be giving even a lower score than one star to Pope Joan).

And with Pope Joan, MOST and actually, really ALL of my objections have indeed absolutely and utterly been with regard to the manner in which the plot is depicted and its narrational set-up, with the manner in which the story is written (is being told), in other words, my issues with Pope Joan are generally NOT with regard to the themes, the context, the information and details of the story, but with HOW Donna Woolfolk Cross has chosen to present, has chosen to pen her tale (for I personally do in no way either know or even dare make any comments as to whether a female pope perhaps did exist, as to whether there actually might have indeed been a historical, but for obvious reasons officially denied and suppressed by the Catholic Church Pope Joan, and truth be told, I actually did rather enjoy perusing the well researched and informative author's note and think that Donna Woolfolk Cross's assertions that there likely was indeed a bona fide Pope Joan do make quite a bit of common and also intellectual sense).

But my in many ways glowing appreciation of the author's research on the topic of Pope Joan (and how Donna Woolford Cross has organised and penned her supplemental notes) quite and utterly notwithstanding, what has definitely and yes ALWAYS defeated me and majorly annoyed me every time I have tried to unsuccessfully peruse Pope Joan is simply and utterly that the author's writing style and mode of expression are simply and utterly NOT AT ALL for me (and that at least in my opinion, Pope Joan reads like pure and unadulterated cinematic trash, with history, cultural descriptions, with all that would make a historical fiction novel of interest to and for me being drowned out by one-dimensional stock-like characters, and a textual wallowing in sex, violence and mystery). And while this might well make Pope Joan interesting and engaging to and for some readers, for me, it has only made me cringe, grind my teeth and with frustration and exasperation cast Pope Joan aside every time I have attempted a perusal (with the last time grudgingly trying again because certain family members were continuously pontificating about how wonderfully and expressively Donna Woolfolk Cross supposedly writes, and I kind of wanted to at least make a fourth effort, as my family already thinks I am a total and much too academic book nerd and snob).