Name: Alexis M. Rawlings Date:
December 30, 2010 Location: Midlothian, VA
23113
One of our book group members has
read Pope Joan and loved it. We just finished
The Heretic's Daughter and wanted to read
another historical book about a strong and
courageous woman. Request a speakerphone chat
with the author.
Name: Carol Wathen Date: December
27, 2010 Location: St. Petersburg, Florida
Pinellas
The book was gripping! I have
ever reason to believe the movie version will
convey even more of the passion and intrigue.
Name: Rosemary Riggie Date: December
19, 2010 Location: Buffalo, NY
I would
love to see this film! The book was
wonderful!
Name: Linda Weiss Date:
December 17, 2010 Location: Freehold, NJ
I read the book and have recomended it to
everyone I talk to! I would LOVE to see the
movie and would have many friends who would love
to see it as well. Please bring this film to my
neighborhood soon.
Name: Diana Crago Date:
December 15, 2010 Location: Copperas Cove, TX
I'm in the process of reading the book--and
loving it. I can't wait to see the movie. Hope
it comes to the US soon!
Name: Lizzy Johnson Location: Vancouver,
Canada Date: December 13, 2010
I was
so glad to see that the Pope Joan movie
screening at the Tacoma Film festival had a full
house! The theater entry was lined up to the
doorway and it was great to see so many other
people interested in the Joan I fell in love
with. I was so excited beyond the point of
containment when the movie began. It was
"Braveheart meets Middle-Ages Rome". It was just
as violent as the book and just as passionate. I
loved every minute of it. The hottie David
Wenham who was in the first Lord of the Rings
movie was the perfect fit for the role of
Gerold. He was honorable and sexy; he was
modeled just for this part. I really loved it
and I know everyone around me enjoyed it.
Hearing what was being said in the hallway
afterwords I gathered many people enjoyed the
movie and were raving about it. We have to prove
to US distributors that we want this movie to be
in local theaters! I also came to realize that
Pope Joan the movie was the closest book-
to-movie rendition I have ever seen.
Name: Linda Dunbar Location: Jefferson
City, MO Groupname: Main Street Book Club
Date: December 10, 2010
Our reading group
asked a local bookstore for a list of popular
books that book clubs were reading and Pope
Joan was one of those. We all loved the book --
we rated it 4.5 on a scale of 1 to 5 .. the
highest of any we have read!!
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Want to request a chat with the author for your group?
Link here. |
Name: Tim Martens Location: Shawano,
Wisconsin Date: December 10, 2010
Although I did not read your book, I did see the
movie on a flight to Germany this past
spring. If the movie is any sign of how good the
book is, the book is most likely amazing! I
hope to read and learn more about the
controversial history of the Church at that
time. Thanks!
Name: Adriana Tanese Nogueira Location:
Boca Raton, FL Date: December 8, 2010
I'm grateful to you for having written such a
profound, compelling, feminist (yes, I find
it extremely feminist--and feminine at the same
time), book. Thank you for the hard work that
must have been researching historical
material and for the amazing accomplishment of
gathering words in such a beautiful manner.
This is one of the best books I have read (and I
read a lot). As the audio book made me
seriously worried with the traffic-- once I
had to drive miles to get back home because I
missed the highway exit--I decided that your
book is dangerous for my driving skills!, which
lead me to buy the novel...you wrote so
magnificently! Your story really touched my
heart. I cried many times, I felt astonished
by my own strong emotional reactions. Thank you
for this book!
Name: Kristin Sims Location: Indianapolis,
IN Date: December 6, 2010
I heard you
speak in Elkhart, IN in October and I purchased
your book. I wasn't thinking at the time, but I
should have purchased another for our annual
holiday book exchange for our book club. Can I
order another signed copy? Thanks.
Author reply: alas,
I cannot sell the book--only the publisher (or a
bookseller) can! But you might want to take
note of my special holiday offer--a
beautifully designed bookplate that I can
inscribe with a personal message for any
giftee, which you can affix to the inside cover
of the book.
Details can be found here.
Name: Marissa Girolamo Location: Yorktown
Hts NY Date: December 5, 2010
I am an
avid reader and over the years have read so many
books I have lost count. When asked what is
my all time favorite book, my answer is always
the same, Pope Joan. I have recommended this
book to so many since I first read it and
will continue to do so. I was so excited to see
that it has fianlly been made into a movie.
Can't wait to see it!
Name: Wynn Sims Location: Atlanta, GA
Date: December 1, 2010
Thank you so
much for taking time this afternoon to chat by
speakerphone with the Sava Book Club. We
really enjoyed your fascinating insights into
the story as well as into the world of
publishing and promoting books. We certainly
hope that the movie makes its way to Atlanta,
as we would very much like to see it!
Name: Doreen Cooper Location:
somerville,nj Groupname: NO STRESS BOOK CLUB
Date: November 29, 2010
I was
introduced to a woman that was in another book
club for 11 years. Ours has been together for 9.
When I asked her what the groups favorite read
has been over 11 years...their vote was Pope
Joan. I thought I must read this! I enjoyed it
so much I decided to host the book next month.
Our group is of various faiths. While I am a
practicing Catholic, I am open to the
possibilities of many things in our church. I
found the story fascinating and quite possible.
Name: Anita Wells Location: Sandy, UT
Date: November 28, 2010
I'm a
huge fan of your novel and have recommended it
to several book clubs and friends with
similar rave results. Just reread it today, and
wanted to point out that in the new edition,
which says you adjusted Gerold's age, he is
still listed as 25 on page 85, and then it says
a little later that he's 28. For the next
edition... :-) Keep writing, we can't wait for
the next novel!
Author's reply: actually, Gerold is first
mentioned as appearing to be a young man of
"around" 25 years, which means he could be
any age from 23-27 (for who can tell someone's
exact age simply by looking at him?). By the
next chapter, two years have passed, so age 28
is reasonable.
Thanks, however, to Anita
for reading my novel so carefully! And for
mentioning the fact that this is a brand new
edition, with changes and additions. In the
Author's Note at the end of the novel, I explain
why I made these changes, describe the new
work that's been published in support of Joan's
historical existence, and also provide a list of
"Best of the Best" book group questions garnered
from my many years of chatting with reading
groups all over the world. If anyone is thinking
of making a gift
of the novel, this is the edition to get!
Name: Pat Alexander Location: St. Paul,
Minnesota Date: November 28, 2010
On behalf of the Luann Dummer Center for
Women and our book group I want to thank you for
the speakerphone conversation yesterday. We all
enjoyed it and learned a lot and felt like you
were with us in the room in person participating
in the discussion. We will spread the word about
your novel and encourage our friends, family
members and work colleagues to read it. Good
luck with getting the movie version of Pope Joan
shown in this country. We are anticipating the
joy of seeing the movie. Thank you. Pat
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Want to request a chat with the author for your group?
Link here. |
Name: Cathy Briner Location: Eugene,
Oregon Date: November 28, 2010
I flew down from Eugene to Southern
California last week to see "Pope Joan" at the
Ojai Film Festival with a friend. We had read
the book & seen the sets for the film when we
were in Morocco & had eagerly been awaiting the
film's release. I have enjoyed your
periodic email updates and so was very sorry
to miss talking with you in Ojai but we had a
long drive on a dark & winding road after the
film's showing & it was raining as I'm sure you
will recall.
I'm so glad that the film
won the Best Feature Film award at Ojai! I have
put in a pitch to three film festivals in the
Northwest to show Pope Joan in 2011.
Name: Marisa Location: Lisbon, Portugal
Date: November 25, 2010
This is my favourite book of all time! Thank
you so much for these wonderful story! Kind
Regards from Portugal!
Name: Miglena Kostova Location: Sofia,
Bulgaria, Europe Date: November
23, 2010
Hello! First of all,
congratulations for the great book! I`m
studying at the University of Sofia,and now I
have to write my thesis. I chose your novel,
because it`s very interesting and exciting. I
wanted to ask you something more about the
characters and your inspiration. I`d like to
know more about your sources. I`ll be thankfull
to find out more about your opinion.
Name: Becky Brain Location: Pleasant
Hill, CA Date: November 20, 2010
Lovely to have you "join"our book club last
night, Donna! That was an amazing experience,
and I can't wait to spread the word about the
movie. Thank you so much for taking the time
out of your busy schedule to answer our
questions and make the evening spectacular!
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Want to request a chat with the author for your group?
Link here. |
Name: Juliette Qureshi Location: Ashburn,
VA USA Date: November 20, 2010
I first read Pope Joan in a Utah book group
and shared with my friend Jennifer Stevenson
who runs the site theliteratemother.com. She
introduced it to her group who nominated it for
the best TOP 10 books of all time contest!
I've shared the novel with two more book groups
here in VA and everyone is dying to see the
movie. There are no film fests here. What can we
do? The dvds for sale don't play on dvd
players in the US.. do they play on computers?
Author reply:
No. The DVD version currently available is the
"dubbed-into-German" one. You want to see the
movie as originally filmed in English (as the
presence of John Goodman, David Wenham, and
others attests). So I counsel patience. I'm
fighting hard as I can to secure a U.S.
release of the film in 2011! To help, or for
more news,
subscribe to my monthly newsletter by
adding your email address to the "Update" box on
the home page of popejoan.com. And thanks so
much for your support!
Name: Jo Earnshaw Location: Peoria,
Arizona Date: November 19, 2010
Our book club at church reviewed your book
this week and all were very favorably
impressed with what a good job you did of
research and making the story believable. I
had one niggling question. I'd like to believe
that this could have happened. But - wouldn't
a Pope have a barber who would shave him
(her) daily? How did she explain her lack of
facial hair? Well written!
Author note: a
terrific question, one that I answer frequently
for the book groups I chat with 2-3 times a
week, every week. If only Jo and her group had
scheduled a speakerphone chat with me, I
could have answered this, and many other
interesting questions about Joan's story
(you'd be surprised how persuasive the answer
is!) Reading groups wishing to schedule such
a chat
may
do so here.
Name: Robert Baber Location: Middletown,
OH Date: November 17, 2010
Hello, Will the movie "Pope Joan" be
available on DVD here in the states??? Loved
the book and would love to see the movie. Is it
available in Europe on DVD????
Name: Kristen Warnack Location: Silver
City, NM Date: November 16, 2010
I read Pope Joan after buying it at a
bookstore's fire sale. It has stuck with me
for all these years, so when it was my time to
host our reading group, I was very glad for
a chance to re-read and discuss your amazing
book with the amazing women in my club! I'm
hoping to schedule a speakerphone discussion as
a surprise for our meeting, but certainly
will understand if it doesn't work out. If our
scheduled meeting date is unavailable, I will
speak to the other members to come up with
other times that might work for all of us. What
a wonderful opportunity this is!
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Want to request a chat with the author for your group?
Link here. |
Name: Rita Salgado Location: Guimarães,
Portugal Date: November 14, 2010
I really enjoyed this novel. It is a great
book. Thanks for excellent evenings in the
company of your beautiful story.
Name: Tricia Douglas Location: Woodland
Hills, CA Date: November 13, 2010
The screening of Pope Joan in L.A. and
meeting you in person will be remembered as a
very special event in my life! You are a joy to
know and the knowledge that you shared with
your audience makes you a special literary
hero in our eyes. Even though I know constant
travel is exhausting, all of your readers on
the West Coast appreciate the time and energy
you devoted to us. Here's to your next book!
Can't wait for it to be published.
Name: Yvette Wright Location: Port
Washington, NY Date: November 12,
2010
I heard about Pope Joan from a
friend whose book club read it. I absolutely
loved the book! This is the first time I am
hosting a book club and I suggested Pope
Joan. So far the responses from the ladies who
have read it are that everyone is thoroughly
enjoying the book. I only listed one date on
the request form because that is the date we are
meeting. I know this is very short \ notice,
but I did not realize that speaking with you
could be a possibility. Hope you can join
us!
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Want to request a chat with the author for your group?
Link here. |
Name: Mary Kay Junglen Location: Sherrill
Kenwood Free Library Sherrill NY Groupname:
Sherrill Kenwood Library Date:
November 9,2010
I had the pleasure of
hearing you speak at a Mid-York Library System
annual dinner years ago. Your enthusism for your
work made me want to read your book. Also
several others in our book discussion group
heard you speak at The Oneida Community
Mansion House this past Spring and this sparked
an interest in your work. Thank you for
considering our request for a speakerphone
chat.
Name: Sue Hahn Location: Highlands Ranch,
Colorado Groupname: Lark Sparrow Book Club
Date: November 9,2010
A
neighbor recommended Pope Joan to everyone she
talks to and our group has been looking for a
good historical read. We have been intrigued by
strong female characters. Pope Joan fits the
bill. Hope you can join our discussion by
speakerphone!
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Want to request a chat with the author for your group?
Link here. |
Name: A. Thatcher Location: United States
Date: November 7,2010
I read this book when it first came out and I
have worn out my copy because I have read it
so often. It is absolutely one of the most
fascinating works I have come across in a
long time. I can not say enough good things
about this book and the subject matter. I
have also recommended it to anyone I meet that
enjoys reading.
Name: Rosemary Gardiner Location:
Kalamazoo, MI Groupname: Whitman's Samplers
Date: November 8,2010
Our book club
has been reading wonderful books for the last
five years or so on a monthly basis. We have
read many first novels and this one was
suggested due to its subject matter, historical
relevance and excellent writing style.
Several of our members are librarians and Pope
Joan came highly recommended. It would also
be a first for us to speak with the author on
the evening we review!! Thanks for the
possible opportunity.
Name: Janice Location: Ottawa, Ontario,
Canada Date: November 7,2010
LOVED
the book! When can we expect to see the movie in
Canada...or be able to purchase a DVD?
Name: Jennifer O'Neill Pickering Location:
Sacramento CA Date: November 4,2010
I
enjoyed Pope Joan and found the book difficult
to put down.I have been working on a novel
myself about Judith of Martel that takes place
in 9th Century France and wonder if the two
women's lives may have intersected? I also,
wondered if you would consider being a speaker
in San Diego for the Historical Novel
Society's 2011 Conference?
From: Ava Park Location: Irvine,
California Date: November 3,2010
We
would very much like to arrange a screening of
the Pope Joan film for our women’s community.
Please let us know how we might make
arrangements to do this. Blessed be ..
Name: Mary Reilly-Kliss
Location: West Bend WI
Groupname: Fireside Books Book Group
Date: November 2, 2010
I participated in a speakerphone chat with you
at a library and it was super! I now lead a
book group at our local independent book store
and would like to give the
customers the same great opportunity to talk to
the author. Unfortunately, we meet only once a
month,
thus the limited date/time.
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Want to request a chat with the author for your group?
Link here. |
Name: Carol Catanese
Location: Kennett Square, PA
Groupname: Fern Hill-ish
Date: Saturday, October 30, 2010
Our book group was a long time in finally
beginning to meet (we talked about it for
years), and we have now met 3 times. Several of
us mentioned Pope Joan at our first
gathering with rave reviews! Those who have
already read it want to read it
again.
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Want to request a chat with the author for your group?
Link here. |
Name: Joyce Fischer
Location: United States
Date: October 26, 2010
Dear Donna,
I am sitting here thinking about movie version
of Pope Joan which I got to see
this evening in Boulder at the Moondance Film
Festival. It was so amazing!!
After reading the book,it brought back the story
so vividly. Thank you for the
lovely inscription in my book. I will cherish
it!! I hope that others will
have the opportunity to see this wonderful
movie. It was so worth the wait!
Learn more about film
festivals featuring The Pope Joan Movie!
Name: Rev. Wendy Peters, UCC
Location: Walnut Creek
Groupname: Friday Night Dinner and a Book
Date: October 20, 2010
I have followed Pope Joan for some time and
given many copies of the novel as gifts.
I saw the movie at the film festival in San
Francisco last weekend and could watch it
over and over!
My book group is reading the book and we would
love to have you join us (I was so
happy when I picked up the card at the theater
saying you were willing to join book
groups by speakerphone!)
It's rough to get the times in order for us West
Coast folks, so I am hoping
you will be available for us on the dates/times
we have available. I have a degree in the
History of the British Empire, and a Masters in
religion, so this is an interesting and exciting
subject for me! Thank very much. I look forward
to hearing from you.
Name: Kelly Quillen
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Date: October 14, 2010
I learned about Pope Joan from a website that
had suggestions for good book
club reads. I thought the book would be perfect
for our reading group because we tend to pick
books that focus on female characters (both
strong and weak), and it sounds
like Joan will be one of the most interesting
women we'll ever read about! Also, several of us
are big historical fiction fans. We're looking
forward to learning more about what it would
have been like to be a woman living in
that time period.
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Watch the Pope
Joan Original Trailer (in English) on
YouTube! |
Name: Amy Kron
Location: Hoboken, New Jersey
Date: October 8, 2010
Our book group learned of Pope Joan through my
mother in law, whose reading group
read your novel (and had a speakerphone call
with you) earlier in the year. Would
love to chat with you as well!
Name: BeBe Trinkner
Location: Hillsborough, California
Groupname: "Bookworms"
Date: September 30, 2010
Pope Joan was recommended by two women in
another book club in our town. Would really like
to chat
with you by speakerphone.
Name: Melissa Notto
Location: Harrisburg, PA
Date: September 19, 2010
I just added myself to your email mailing list,
as I would love to know when
and where I can go to see the Pope Joan movie.
Thanks so much for agreeing to chat
with our reading group. I read so much
historical fiction, and Pope Joan
is one of my favorites! Looking forward to
speaking with you.
Name: Janet Stokoe
Location: Glen Haven, New York
Date: September 18, 2010
Many thanks again from all of us in the Glen
Haven Book Group (32 there last evening) who so
enjoyed your bookchat. I had been so skeptical
about a chat by speakerphone, but thanks to Jim
(my favorite son-in-law) who helped with the
electronics, it worked very well. You are so
animated with your answers to questions that you
made it so interesting; it was almost as good as
having you there! My daughter, told me you were
so good that now she wants to read the book.
Others said the same, and I'm sure you garnered
more people to your website, and to push for the
movie in this area.
Thank you so much!.
Jan Stokoe
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Want to request a chat with the author for your group?
Link here. |
Name: Doreen Cooper
Location: somerville,nj
groupname: NO STRESS BOOK CLUB
Date: September 18, 2010
I was introduced to woman in another book club
for 11 years. When I asked her what the group's
favorite read has been over 11 years...their
vote was Pope Joan. I thought "I must read
this!"
I enjoyed Pope Joan so much I decided to host a
discussion of the book next month. Our group is
of
various faiths. While I am a practicing
Catholic, I am open to the possibilities of many
things in
our church. I found the story fascinating and
quite possible.
Name: Jennifer O'Neill Pickering
Location: Sacramento CA
Date: Sunday, September 16, 2010
I enjoyed Pope Joan and found the book difficult
to put down! I have been
working on a novel myself about Judith of Martel
that takes place in 9th
Century France and wonder if the two women's
lives may have intersected?
I also, wondered if you would consider being a
speaker in San Diego for the
Historical Novel Society's 2011 Conference?
Name: Carol Lane
Location: Gladstone, NJ
groupname: Peapack-Gladstone Library Book Club
Date: September 15, 2010
Word of mouth has caused Pope Joan to be a very
popular reading choice in our
town library. Two participants of our reading
group
(myself included) spoke so highly of your novel
that it was voted to become
our September read. Many of our club members are
fans of historical fiction,
so the legend of Pope Joan was the perfect
choice. We would all greatly
welcome your participation, and we hope you can
join us by speakerphone.
From: malonehoney
A comment on Pope Joan - the Original Trailer
(in English):
I've just finished reading the book - couldn't
put it down - look forward to watching the
film!!!
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Watch the Pope
Joan Original Trailer (in English) on
YouTube! |
Name: Wynn Sims
Location: Atlanta, GA
Groupname: The Sava Book Club
Date: September 14, 2010
Thank you so much for taking time this afternoon
to chat with the Sava Book
Club by speakerphone. We enjoyed your insight
into your book as well as the world of
publishing and promoting books. We certainly
hope that the movie makes its
way to Atlanta, as we would very much like to
see it.
Name: Ellen Reisman
Location: shaker heights ohio
Date: September 12, 2010
I wish I had visited your site sooner. We had
our book group meeting tonight
and there were a few questions we would have
loved to ask!
Everyone agreed on one thing...superb
writing...obviously excellent
research. Thank you for time well spent.
Name: Jim Horsman
Location: Skaneateles, New York
Date: September 10, 2010
Thank you for a great presentation by
speakerphone last night.
The Book Club was quite impressed!
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Want to request a chat with the author for your group?
Link here. |
Name: Nancy Morales
Location: Covina, California
Date: September 10
Thank you for your wonderful answers to our
questions. Our book club really enjoyed our
meeting with you by speakerphone. It was a
highlight! We will be talking about it long into
the future. Thanks again!
Name: Toni Simpkins
Location: Charlotte, NC
Date: September 8, 2010
I read Pope Joan with the Imani Book Club here
in Charlotte and so enjoyed
the speakerphone chat you had with our group
this past June. Your writing
style and the topic so appealed to me that I
decided to introduce Pope Joan
to the other book club I'm a part of.
I will be hosting the September meeting and
unfortunately date
had been set far in advance, therefore I will
not be able to provide
alternative dates as requested. Realizing that
the date may be an inconvenient, I can
only hope you will be able to find some time to
chat with us. Thanks for the
wonderful read!
Name: Pam Guilander
Location: St. Louis, MO
groupname: St. Alban's Golf League Book Club
Date: August 31, 2010
I asked friends in other reading groups about
their favorite books and Pope Joan came
up very frequently. Nobody in my book club has
read it yet. Hope the author can join
our conversation by speakerphone!
Name: Tanya Fredrick
Location: Montrose, Colorado
Date: August 28, 2010
Thank you so much for the wonderful chat by
speakerphone last night. You have an amazing
sense of humor and it was fantastic to hear
everything from the "horse's mouth."
Our book club, the Nerd Herd, was absolutely
gushing about our visit with you. It will be all
over our small town. I'm sure Target will sell
out of your book and you will probably hear from
several other book clubs in Montrose.
Name: Ann Plazek
Location: Medina, OH
Groupname: Classics and Contemporaries
Date: August 21, 2010
We have a small but dedicated reading group that
meets a one of the smaller branches
in the Medina County Library System. One of the
members has read Pope Joan
and really wants to discuss it as a group. Can
you join us by speakerphone?
Name: Charlotte Knudsen
Location: Boise, Idaho
Date: August 14, 2010
One of our daughters read Pope Joan and
recommended it highly. Then one of our members
read the novel, and it was instantly on our
list! We all enjoy historical novels.
Hope the author can join us by speakerphone.
From: Lisa Vo
Location: Chatham, Ontario
Date: August 6, 2010
I just wanted to thank you for contributing such
an amazing novel to our literature collection.
Your words have inspired many women all over the
world through Pope Joan's journey. I am forever
grateful to my friend, who highly recommended I
read this book. It is her all-time favourite
book that her mother gave her. Pope Joan has
been an inspiration to us all, portraying such a
strong and independent woman. Thanks also for
providing the amazing gift idea of a signed
bookplate!
Would you like to order an autographed
bookplate for your gift of Pope Joan?
Link here for more
information.
Name: Ann Plazek
Location: Medina, OH
Groupname: Buckeye Book Club
Date: August 1, 2010
We are a small but loyal book club run by the
librarian at the
Buckeye branch of Medina County District
Library. One of our members
read Pope Joan and highly recommended it. When
doing research I discovered
the opportunity for a phone chat with the
author. Hope Donna can do it.
It would be a first for us!
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Want to request a chat with the author for your group?
Link here. |
From: Thomas Bringas
Skaneateles, New York
Date: July 28, 2010
I have to admit that I am not great with books.
Not that I do not like to read, but I get bored
very easily reading and unless I get into the
plot fairly quick I just do not bother (for
instance I have read many times, books from
Hugo, but I just have never been able to pass
more than one chapter on Zola…)… Anyway…
While camping in Lake George, it started to rain
and I did not know what to do… My fiancee gave
me your book Pope Joan - ok now I have to admit
it, I had not read your book, not sure if it was
laziness, lack of interest or what, but well, I
probably had some sort of prejudice… Well, I
have to admit that not only did I start reading,
but now that I am almost in the end (Joan just
got elected Pope), I am feeling disappointed
that there are not more chapters as it soon will
be time to turn the last page.
So, with all of the reviews you already had, I
am sure that what I have to say will sound
insignificant, but from someone who would rather
do something else than read, I can say that your
book is actually very good and captivating. I
definitely recommend it!
Janet Skokoe
Glen Haven, New York
Date: July 20, 2010
I just finished reading Pope Joan and found it
so interesting;
you must have done tons of research to be able
to write with such
knowledge of that period of time. I'm so glad we
chose this book for
our summer reading!
Name: Barbara Childs
Location: Beaufort, South Carolina
Groupname: Beaufort County Library Adult Book
Club
Date: July 18, 2010
Our group leader recommended Pope Joan. Since we
meet monthly on 3rd
Thursday at the County Library, we read a
variety of books--fiction,
non-fiction, historical fiction, young adult,
etc. Our group dynamics
varies--retirees, library staff, business
workers, teachers, etc. We would
love to chat with Ms. Cross on the night we
discuss her novel. Thank you for
considering this request.
Name: Nancy Morales
Location: Covina,CA (USA) 91724
Groupname: Angel Pages
Date: July 8, 2010
The daughter of our hostess experienced the book
and the telephone interview
and suggested that we use the book for our
meeting. We would love to have a speakerphone
chat with Donna.
Name: elizabeth patterson
Location: park city, Utah
Groupname: Jeremy Ranch Bookclub (BDBCWWW)
Date: July 2, 2010
My good friend Wendy Preston very
enthusiastically suggested Pope Joan. HOpe the
author can join our book club for our
discussion.
Name: amy roth
Location: Longboat Key, Florida
Date: July 1, 2010
I belong to a book club on Longboat Key, FL, and
we had a speakerphone conference with you the
day we discussed Pope Joan. We all enjoyed the
session so much! The book had greater meaning
because we could ask you questions
"face-to-face." We're all looking forward to
seeing the movie when it comes here. Hope it's
soon!
Name: Mary Lou Wolsey
Location: Twin Cities
Date: June 29, 2010
It was a thrill and a pleasure to be present at
noon today at the St. Thomas
Women's Center book group discussion of your
book, POPE JOAN. Immediately
after we closed speakerphone link with you, we
all gathered around the Center's small
computer to watch the POPE JOAN movie trailer.[see
the trailer here] It does indeed
touch upon
many of the topics we spoke about today.
Everyone enjoyed Pope Joan, and we are all in
admiration of the depth of your investigations
and the worthiness of your historical novel.
I do hope a way can be found so that the film
can be shown in our Twin Cities area one way or
another.
Name: Sgraiziger
Date: June 27, 2010
Just viewed the wonderful movie trailer [Watch
the trailer here.] This movie will be
revered as the next "Braveheart"!! On all
levels, I.e. scenary, costumes, historical
content, romance, dramatic plot, etc. This movie
will be a blockbuster!
Name: Patricia Culley
Location: St. Petersburg, Florida
Date: June 21, 2010
I think it's safe to say that at our book club
meeting last night, we managed to "convert"
every member into a Pope Joan fanatic ! Thank
you so very much for participating in a most
exciting meeting and providing so much insight
into the creation of the book and film. After
you hung up, we were all "stoked" to let the
publishing and film industry know of this books'
importance!
After last night, you will have several more
online newsletter subscribers :-)
Name: ellen reisman
Location: shaker heights ohio
Date: June 18, 2010
How I wish I had visited this website sooner! We
had our book group meeting tonight
(6-22-2010) and there were questions we would
have loved to ask!
Everyone agreed on one thing...superb
writing...obviously excellent
research. Thank you for time well spent!
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Want to request a chat with the author for your group?
Link here. |
From: Bonnie Carlisle
Location: Toledo, OH
Date: June 15, 2010
I have been a reader all my life (64 years) and
Pope Joan is on my "best book top 5" list.
I have told many people about the wonderful book
you have written and movie. I will continue to
tell my friends and fellow readers about Pope
Joan.
I am a practicing Catholic. But, I wonder if
part of the problem of getting the movie
released in the United States, is because of the
Catholic Church. I hate to say and think that,
but, unfortunately it is a possibility.
I believe it is time for me to read the book
again. I very rarely read books twice -- but, I
will read your beautiful book again. Thank you
for keeping us up-dated on your quest.
Name: Alberta Hornyak
Location: Basking Ridge, NJ
Date: June 14, 2010
We were advised by another reading group to
choose Pope Joan
for our July read. They gave the novel a very
high rating and
said it led to a great deal of discussion and
questions. We were also very taken by your book.
It was
fascinating..... a real page turner! Brava!
We're ecstatic that you have
agreed to join our discussion by speakerphone!
Name: Patricia Alexander
Location: Saint Paul, MN. 55105
Groupname: Luann Dummer Center for Women
Date: June 12, 2010
A member of our reading group suggested Pope
Joan. We would like to
set up a speakerphone chat with the author to
find out about the
historical research for the novel, details about
the movie, and if you have
received complaints from the Catholic Church.
Our Center is located at a
Catholic institution, the University of St.
Thomas.
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Want to request a chat with the author for your group?
Link here. |
Name: Kathryn Griffith
Location: Rock Island, IL
Date: June 5, 2010
Our book club has been in existence since
December of 1997. We develop our
reading list each December for the following
year. Pope Joan came very highly
recommended by another book club. We hope you
can join us by speakerphone.
From: Douglas C. Worth
Ponte Vedra, Florida
Date: May 25, 2010
Our book club meeting about Pope Joan lasted
twice as long as a normal meeting. It turned out
that we have among us one fellow who is
somewhere between an atheist and an agnostic.
Another was brought up in the Catholic Church
and a long succession of Catholic educational
institutions.
At the end of the session, one of our members
took a poll on the question “how much of this do
you believe?” Most swallowed it to the 90%
level, with the Catholic member at 100%. The
religiously deprived member was at zero. How’s
that for consistency?
All our members enjoyed the book very much for
its content and story-telling skills. For a
group largely dedicated to non-fiction, we all
were charmed! We were so knocked off our
pins that we chose a Farewell to Arms as our
next book.
Name: Terry Lipp
Location: Wescosville, PA
Date: May 12, 2010
Our book club has been meeting for several years
and it is rare for all of
our members to like the monthly book we
read--until "Pope Joan".
We all really loved the book; in fact one of our
members said it is the best book
she ever read! Donna joined us by speakerphone
for our book club discussion,
and it was fantastic to ask questions directly
to the author. We typically
try to "get into the author's head" via our book
club members thoughts and
questions, but we were able to literally do that
having Donna on the phone
chatting with us. It was awesome! This book was
recommended to us by my
sister who lives in New Hampshire. Her book club
had read it and loved
it too. I strongly recommend Pope Joan for a
book club and to anyone looking for
a good read.
Name: Donna Brown
Location: Cedar Hills, Utah
Groupname: Bodacious Book Babes
Date: May 8, 2010
Pope Joan was recommended by an avid reader. Our
group likes books about strong
women. I could not put the book down; it is one
of the best I've EVER read.
I could practically smell the stench of the
sewers and see the blood
splatter. I loved how it moved quickly but said
so much; there are no
wasted words just to make it book length. I was
amazed at the research that
must have gone into it. I've never read a
historical fiction book that
strove any harder to come close to the facts.
Thank you!
Name: Donna Anderson
Location: Oneonta, New York
Date: May 3, 2010
Many, many thanks for your lively presentation
on April 28 at Hartwick College.
The students who attended were all delighted and
inspired by your
presentation and I must say that I have received
a number of calls from
community members who were also fascinated by
your lecture. I am very grateful for
your willingness to come to Hartwick and wish
you all the best with the
release of the film and with your ongoing
writing.
Name: Debbie McCratic
Location: Atlanta Ga USA
Groupname: Sava Book Club
Date: May 1, 2010
Our book club voted on several books, but when
we became aware that the author
offers to chat by speakerphone and the book will
become a movie, Pope Joan was
our unanimous and enthusiastic choice! Hope that
you can join us for one of the
dates we requested.
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Want to request a chat with the author for your group?
Link here. |
Name: Dorothy Weiner
Location: Charleston, SC
Date: May 01, 2010
It was very meaningful for you to speak to our
book club by speakerphone yesterday.
It was a lovely Charleston day as we sat on the
porch and had the opportunity to have
a dialogue with you. We all enjoyed your book so
much and our questions and
your answers really enhanced our experience. It
is our hope that your
movie will be brought to Charleston so that our
experience can continue.
Good luck and thank you for the pleasure of
getting to know you and your
insights even though it was only over the phone.
Name: Patricia Hoffmann
Location: Oneida, New York
Date: April 30, 2010
Everyone is raving about what a wonderful
speaker you are and how much they enjoyed your
talk at the Oneida Mansion House. Me too!
Thanks so much!
Name: Mariann Morrison
Location: Mesa, Arizona
Date: April 28, 2010
This is one of the best books I have ever read!
I definitely want to see
the movie!
Name: Joanne Murphy
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Groupname: Fox Chase Literary and Jello Mold
Society
Date: April 27, 2010
We work for Medical Mission Sisters (MMS), a
religious community of Sisters
who work as international missionaries bringing
a healing presence to a
wounded world. The Sector North America MMS live
in Philadelphia PA. One
of the members of our community suggested Pope
Joan. We are reading it for
our April selection and feedback from our
members is that it is a very good
book! We hope that the author can join us by
speakerphone.
Name: Susan Wallen
Location: Charleston, SC
Date: April 26, 2010
Thank you so much for your animated and
informative comments to our Low
Country Book Group during our speakerphone
conversation. The eleven of
us were sitting on the edge of our seats
listening to your every word, entering
your world and that of Joan, that persistent and
courageous woman. We were all
very taken with your presentation and
enthusiasm! We look
forward to hearing more about the progress both
of the film and of your new book.
Good luck and please keep in touch with us!
From: Celeste Amundsen
Date: April 20, 2010
Thanks so much for the update about the
audiobook version of Pope Joan. I am going to
ask for it for Mother's Day!!!
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|
Yes! The
audio book version of Pope Joan is now available!
Link here. |
Name: Ann Ford
Location: Mooresville, NC
Groupname: Imani Book Club
Date: April 12, 2010
Pope Joan was recommended to me by a friend. I
enjoyed the novel so much that
I recommended it to my book club. There are a
multitude of topics to discuss
ranging from the value of women then and now to
"Was there really a female
Pope"? Hope you can join us by speakerphone for
a discussion!
Name: William
Location: USA
Date: April 12, 2010
When will there be more showings of the movie?
Can you give any more
updates?
Name: Terry Lipp
Location: Wescosville, Pennsylvania
Groupname: The Book Runners
Date: April 10, 2010
My sister's book club in New Hampshire discussed
Pope Joan, and she suggested our book
club in Pennsylvania choose it for one of our
books. I was especially interested in
this book; my uncle was a priest and my two
aunts were nuns, my father was
the only member of his family who did not go
into the religious sect. I
realize this is a late request for a
speakerphone chat but thought I would try
to see if Donna would join us if possible. Thank
you.
From Laura Ginnett
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Date: April 8, 2010
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I and all the
Heroticas truly
enjoyed our conversation with you by
speakerphone! We continued
talking for about another hour after we got off
the phone with you, and
the overwhelming theme was what fun it was to
speak with you and
hear you answer our questions. You are
wonderful!
It seems like such a trivial way to express our
gratitude, but thank you, thank you, thank you!
Name: Douglas C. Worth
Location: Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
Groupname: Sawgrass Book Club
Date: April 7, 2010
I was tipped to your work by my daughter-in-law,
Marnie Worth, who had heard
you speak in New York. This is my first time
recommending a book to my
group, eight retired men. No book selection had
ever been about a woman, so
I shamed the chauvinists into selecting Pope
Joan. I will experience a
certain amount of glee in observing their
enjoying it, as I have. Doug
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Want to request a chat with the author for your group?
Link here. |
Name: Gerold
Location: Austria
Date: April 4, 2010
Hello, I just stumbled upon this site and wanted
to tell you how much I
liked this novel. It was the first one that I
couldn't put down. I was
reading 7+ hours, which was unusual for me. I
think, as an author, knowing
that your work had that effect on someone who
barely reads might be of some
kind of importance to you. All the work you put
into that novel really paid
off.
Thank you for all the hours of joy.
AUTHOR REPLY:
Yes, Gerold, it means very much to me to know
that you were moved by Joan's story, as I was.
So thank you for writing to tell me. Alas, you
did not include your return email address, so I
could not respond to your very nice message.
Note to guest book posters: if you wish to
receive a reply, make sure to include your email
address. As you can see, these addresses are not
published on the website, so your privacy is
protected.
Name: bernadette hicks
Location: new jersey
Date: April 2, 2010
I have never been more inspired by a book than I
was with Pope Joan. I felt
like I lost a friend when the book ended. It was
the most interesting book I have ever read.
Name: Deanna Zobel-Grey
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Date: April 1, 2010
Thank you so much for joining our book group,
Heroticas, by speakerphone. In
honor of the book's setting, Laura prepared an
Italian meal, and the rest of
us brought wine and dishes to share. We sat
around a table in a beautiful
home with a view of Pikes Peak to the west. (The
view didn't last long
because it got dark, however!) Having you with
us made the
evening complete. We loved your book! Best to
you, Deanna Zobel-Grey
From: Elaine Hirschenberger
Location: Rockford, IL
Date: March 29, 2010
We sincerely hope this film will be released
soon in the midwest. We have an enormous
interest in this. (By "we" I mean hundreds of
women of our Center in Rockford, Illinois.)
From: Bonnie Carlisle
Location: Toledo, OH
Date: March 28, 2010
I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED your book and have
referred it to many of my friends and those in
my book club. It was like a drug --- I could not
put it down. (not that I am a drug taker) But,
you know what I mean.
My daughter also has your book and also LOVED,
LOVED it.....two generations (mother-daughter)
that so adored your writing and your story.
I hope HOLLYWOOD has not changed your book when
making the movie. The book was perfect and
needed no changes, but I suppose they will
change a few things here and there. I am so
looking forward to the release in the United
States and look forward to your next update.
Name: Elizabeth "Libba" Grey
Location: Denver Colorado
Date: March 27, 2010
It was a rare privilege and pleasure to have a
book club evening with Donna
as our guest via speakerphone. There are not
words enough to express my
gratitude. Bring the movie to the States!!!!!
Name: Amos S.
Location: Rishon Lezion, Israel
Date: March 24, 2010
I am 54 years old and have never really liked to
read books and didn't read
them - even as a child. This book changed my
life. Since I read Pope Joan
(in the Hebrew edition), I discovered a passion
for reading and have since
read lots and lots of books. Still I see Pope
Joan as the best book I ever read.
Name: mary benedict
Location: bethel, connecticut
Date: March 23, 2010
I loved the book and it occupies pride of place
on my shelf as a real
keeper. When oh when may we expect to see the
movie in the New York/CT area?
AUTHOR REPLY:
To keep updated about the movie release and my
next novel,
click here and provide your email
address. (you may need to wait a moment for the
form to load). This will add your name to the
"Update Newsletter" that I send out about once a
month. I should have some news for you very
soon!
Name: Susan Wallen
Location: Mt Pleasant, SC
Groupname: Low Country Fridays
Date: March 21, 2010
Donna had a phone chat with my former book group
years ago when I lived on
LOng Island, NY. It was wonderful. And so when
my present book group
proposed reading Pope Joan, I remembered Donna's
availability and everyone
jumped at the chance. We hope you can speak to
us on this date. Many
thanks.
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Want to request a chat with the author for your group?
Link here. |
From: Helen and Achim Preuss
Location: Toronto, ON
Date: March 19, 2010
Please bring "Pope Joan" to Toronto !!!! If it
has to stay in the US, we can drive to Buffalo
to see it if you can play it there !!
Name: Ines
Location: Germany
Date: March 16, 2010
I adore your novel. I cannot keep my eyes off
it, even at school!
It sucks me in and will not release me from its
grasp.
In October 2009 I watched the movie version
first and I finally got a copy
of your book in English (I read all books in
their original language).
It is incredibly detailed and marvelously
written.
I do really have to thank you for having put so
much effort in this book.
Name: Deirdre Millin
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Groupname: Wonderworks Book Store Book Club
Date: March 14, 2010
We are a feminist spirituality bookstore with an
active monthly book club.
Pope Joan is a perfect fit for us! We have an
active monthly book club group and would simply
love to add Pope Joan to our list of
books. We plan to take the summer off, and were
hoping to end our season with
the 'bang' of having Ms. Woolfolk Cross attend
our meeting via speaker phone.
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Want to request a chat with the author for your group?
Link here. |
Name: Robert Henry
Location: Liverpool N.Y.
Groupname: North Syracuse Historical Society
Date: March 12, 2010
Historian for the Village of North Syracuse.
I've read your book, and think
this historical mystery "solved" is one of the
great modern discoveries. We would like
to see the movie, can you please advise us on
how to proceed.
Name: Carolyn Sampeck
Location: Stafford, Virginia
Date: March 10, 2010
I read the book years ago and was immersed in
the time period! Could not
get tickets for the Washington, D.C. showing in
January 2010.
I would love to purchase 2 signed copies of the
books. Is that possible?
Name: Miguel Lopes
Location: Santarém, Portugal
Date: March 7, 2010
I really enjoyed your book! I just want to
make a correction about St. Antony (in
Portuguese version –
S. António). St Antony was born in Lisbon in
1195, 300 before the story of
Pope Joan.If the Saint is not St Antony of
Lisbon (or Padue) I would like to know what
Saint he is. Thank you.
Author reply:
I'm glad to learn that you enjoyed my novel,
Miguel. In response to your query: there is more
than one St. Anthony in history, and the one I
had in mind was not your Portuguese saint. I was
referencing St. Anthony of Egypt, also known as
the Father of All Monks, to whom the faithful of
the ninth century often prayed when afflicted
with skin or infectious diseases.
Name: Lisa Veer
Location: Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Date: March 5, 2010
I've been trying desperately to find out when
the movie will be released in
Canada and where, but it seems an impossible
task.
From: Cynthia Haryasz
Location: SW Florida
Date: March 2, 2010
Hope the movie comes to SW Florida. Our book
club in North Port read "Pope Joan" and loved
it!
Name: Lisa
Location: Canada
Date: March 2, 2010
Is there anyway to get a signed copy of Pope
Joan? Or is there somewhere I
can send it to get it signed?
My friend loves this book and she has
recommended it to so many of us. We
all loved Pope Joan immensely, and we wanted to
give her a signed copy of the
book as a thank you.
I'm super excited for the movie to come to
Canada and I actually hope she
doesn't get word of it, so we can surprise her
:) Any information about this would be
greatly appreciated.
Name: Gary Polk
Location: Cerritos, CA USA
Groupname: The Book Club
Date: March 1, 2010
Co-ed group established in 1995--7 Males & 7
Females, Age range 29
to 63, requests speakerphone chat with author.
We love historical fiction, never
read a book that took place in 9th Century. Your
novel Pope Joan was a fascinating read. First
read by
our then 20-year old daughter who was a
sophomore at CA StateUniversity, Long Beach. Mom
read, then
recommended to our Book Club
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Want to request a chat with the author for your group?
Link here. |
Name: Yael
Location: Israel
Date: February 24, 2010
Hi, my name is Yael and I live in israel. I've
read Pope Joan 3 times, and
I was excited every time. I've made a book
report in Hebrew about the book.
Now. we have a bagrut in English, which is a
test at the and of high school
in many subjects. Part of this 'bagrut' in
English is a biography project.
I've chosen to do my project about Pope Joan.
I just need a little information aboutJjoan's
childhood, her love for
Gerold and her death. I'll be greatful for any
kind of help, even a few lines
can help me. I want to mention that I've read
the book in Hebrew, and there
is no library around that has it in English.
From: Stephanie Bartlett
Location: Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Date: February 20, 2010
My book group LOVED your book. We'd definitely
all go to see the movie
if........please!.......it comes to Cape Cod!
Name: Shari Sadler
Location: Palm Harbor, FL
Date: February 15, 2010
A good friend recommended it to the group. We
have read one other
Historical fiction book before and everyone
loved it..It is time to try
another one!! Hope the author can join us by
speakerphone on one of our
requested dates.
Name: tom
Location: Germany
Date: February 12, 2010
Great book! I really enjoyed reading
it..greetings from Germany.
Name: Anne Keller
Location: Atlanta, Ga
Date: February 8, 2010
I talked to several friends in book clubs
-- Oakton, Va and Houston, Tx-- who
loved this book. I also saw on amazon.com
that Pope Joan was one of the few
books one reading group liked unanimously
in three years! We would love to
chat with Donna by speakerphone on any of
the three dates submitted.
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Want to request a chat with the author for your group?
Link here. |
Name: Sandra Bergerg
Location: Bavaria, Germany
Date: February 6, 2010
Your novel has inspired me very much. Now
I would like to make a pilgrimage to Rome to
walk in the footsteps of Johanna. Her
courage and her intelligence have given
me the strength to make the decision to
study theology. Many thanks that I
might get to know you from Johanna.
From: Sheila DeChantal
Location: Brainerd, Minn.
Date: February 4, 2010
I wanted to let you know that Pope Joan
won our book club book of the year for 2009.
here is the link: Bookies Review 2009. Woo hoo!
Best of luck - still hoping the movie comes our
way!
From: Yael Nachumi
Location: Israel
Date: February 4, 2010
Congratulations on the sell-out of the
one-night screening of the film in Washington,
D.C. I know this is probably not your focus at
the moment, as you are looking to gain a wide
USA distribution,
but I would really like to know if and
when the movie will be screened in Israel.
As you know, your book was a great
success here (in humble Israeli standards of
course), and I know that many people are looking
forward to the movie. Our book club (which you
named "the multiple-question-book-club" during
our speakerphone discussion), has been planning
a group outing to see the movie, as soon as it
gets here!
In any case – I have been enjoying the
email movie updates, and am anxiously waiting
for updates regarding your next book.
From: Cliff Brautigan
Location: New Jersey
Date: February 3, 2010
The movie of Pope Joan is great! I went
to the Washington, D.C. screening on January
27th with my wife (who read the book) and a
daughter who never read the book.
We all enjoyed it very much. It's an
excellently made movie and I felt they did an
outstanding job! The story was so well told in
the movie that my daughter completely followed
and understood it even though she had never read
the book. Yes, she wants to read it now.
It was well l worth the trip down from
New Jersey to see the movie.
Name: Kathy Watson
Location: Surrey, BC, Canada
Date: February 2, 2010
Donna - Thank you so much for taking the
time to speak with our book club
tonight. We truly appreciated your time
and enjoyed your answers to our
questions. What a great opportunity to
share with you our thoughts, feelings
and questions! We look forward to seeing
the movie and sharing the novel
with our friends:) We hope to meet you
when you get to Surrey or Vancouver,
BC. xo Your Surrey Book Club Fans!
From: Wendy Preston
Location: Park City, Utah
Date: February 2, 2010
Hi from Park City and Salt Lake City
Utah! I belong to a Book Club of girls that all
went to high school/college together and we've
been getting together for 30 years now. Your
book was truly one of our favorites! I will
never forget the discussion that ensued. In
fact, one of our members who belongs to another
book group scheduled a phone conference with you
during their discussion of Pope Joan a few years
ago. I about died when she told me and I wasn't
there! I have since bought several copies of
Pope Joan and given them away and am always
recommending it to whoever I can. I can assure
you that there is HUGE INTEREST in the movie
here in Utah. It's just got to be released
nationwide. We will all die if it isn't!
Name: Irene Yeates
Location: Saratoga Springs, NY
Date: February 2, 2010
One of the absolute best books I have
ever read!! I was amazed that it did not
receive more publicity. Cannot wait to
see the movie!
Name: Cees
Location: Zoetermeer, The Netherlands
Date: January 29, 2010
I really loved to read your book "Pope
Joan" (in the Dutch language "Paus
Johanna"). One gripping, thrilling and
deeply moving book!
Name: Mauro Feydit
Location: Paraty - Rio de Janeiro -
Brasil
Date: January 28, 2010
I'm from Brasil and just finished reading
Pope Joan. I'm very, very, very impressed with
your history about Joan. It's a wonderful
history I'll never forget. I confess that it
touched me so much
in some parts that I could not keep the
tears from my eyes. I have not felt that for a
long time reading a story.
I am happy to know that there is a movie
based on this book, but have never heard about
it in Brazil. I'll
look for it here. Congratulations! This
book is a work of art.
Name: Theresa Gale
Location: West Hills, CA USA
Date: January 28, 2010
Please accept my somewhat tardy thank you
for joining our last book group meeting
by speakerphone. It was such a pleasure
to hear about your research, your writing
process,
and to have a voice to connect with a
book we all truly enjoyed. Thank
you so much for making our book club
meeting so special! I wish you a
happy, healthy, and productive 2010, and
I'm looking forward to seeing the movie.
|
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Want to request a chat with the author for your group?
Link here. |
From: Carol Lane
Location: Central New Jersey
Date: January 25, 2010
Hope the movie plays in Central New
Jersey! You can count me in along with at least
ten women from our town library’s book club. We
all loved this story and can’t wait to see it
played out on the big screen. Please don’t let
us down! Carol Lane
Name: Judith Leake
Location: Purchase, NY
Date: January 25, 2010
I was actually suggesting to my book
group that we read The 19th Wife (must be a
religious thing
at the moment)and Pope Joan came up with
great enthusiasm. Having read your novel
previously (and loved it!), I was so
happy to concede to the wishes of the
other members. We are just a bunch of
Westchester mothers who have left their
previous lives behind, still anxious to
retain whatever brain remains after
years and years of potty-training and
soccer games. We would truly love it
if you would join us by speakerphone.
Name: Kelly Cox
Location: Thornton, CO
Date: January 24, 2010
I LOVED this book and am looking for it
in spanish print for my
mother. I have looked everywhere online
and cannot find one. Can you tell me
where I can get this book in spanish?
Thank you for your help.
AUTHOR
NOTE:
the Spanish Language Edition is being
re-released by Ediciones Salamandra in advance
of the move release in Mexico this Spring.
Contact the publisher here.
From: Robert Baber
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Date: January 23, 2010
Your book "Pope Joan" was given me by my
daughter because of my interest in history. I
read very few novels, but this one caught my
interest. The details of life in that era were
very interesting to me. I really enjoyed the
book and am reading it for the second time.
I hope to see the movie when it is
released. Thanks for your detailed research.
Name: Anne Bracken
Location: Annapolis, Maryland
Groupname: CND Book Club
Date: January 23, 2010
A member of our book club just read Pope
Joan and LOVED it! The historical as well as
religious themes interest us (we have a
wide range of religions in the
club). But of course the main character
being a strong women is most
appealing (it's a women's-only group). We
would love to chat with Donna by speakerphone!
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Want to request a chat with the author for your group?
Link here. |
Name: mary benedict
Location: bethel, connecticut
Date: January 22, 2010
I loved the book and it occupies pride of
place on my shelf as a real
keeper. When oh when may we expect to see
the movie in the New York/CT area?
Name: Luanne Kadlub
Location: Windsor, Colorado
Groupname: Faith Book Club
Date: January 19, 2010
Our book club has been meeting for more
than three years. We read a mix of
current titles (like Pope Joan) and
classics. One of our members read
Pope Joan, declared it to be wonderful
and a "must read" for our group.
Chatting by speakerphone with Donna will
be a wonderful opportunity!
Name: Amy Nash
Location: Clarence NY
Date: January 17, 2010
Our book club was looking for books about
strong women &/or matriarch-led societies.
Some internet research, word of mouth,
and good reviews pointed many of us
to "Pope Joan." We are a group of smart,
funny, compassionate women, ages
early 20s to 70 and we'd love to share
our meeting with you! Plus, we love
Historical Fiction! BONUS!
Name: kathleen barrett
Groupname: AAUW Book Club
Date: Wednesday, January 17, 2010
Of 3 dozen titles offered to our AAUW
book club participants, Pope Joan received a
very high number of requests. We would
like to chat by speakerphone with the author, if
possible.
Name: Melanie Milone
Location: Arlington, Texas
Groupname: ABC book club
Date: Friday, January 15, 2010
A friend recommended Pope Joan to me, and
I read and loved it.
I told many people about the novel,
including my parents, and we
enjoyed discussing it. I am now in a book
club and for my turn
selected it and have just finished
re-reading it.
Name: Viktoria-Luise Koch
Location: Basel, Switzerland
Date: January 14, 2010
My name is Viktoria. I'm 15 and from the
small country of Switzerland. First
I would like to thank you for writing
what has been an inspiration and my
light throughout the past months. I am a
huge fan of your
work, have read Pope Joan in German and
in English, and can't wait for your next
novel to come out.
Second I would like to congratulate on
the movie, it's
A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. As for the cast, I can
only agree with everybody that it's
perfect. Johanna does an amazing job as
Joan, and I don't want to start to
talk about David because every time I see
him on screen I start
hyperventilating... So see you have
brought to me two things... An amazing
piece of literature which I can't wait to
read again and the beautiful movie
Both enlighten my path throughout my
everyday life. So thank you again
for all you have given to me... I wish I
could do the same for you!
Name: Tricia
Location: Woodland Hills, CA
Date: January 6, 2010
Words cannot express how much our book
club appreciated and enjoyed our speakerphone
discussion with you last night. You made us
truly feel at home, like we had known you
forever. Our energy level was sky high after we
said good-bye and we had so much to talk about!
I want to see if I can get my hands on that
interview you did with Diane Sawyer about the
evidence for Pope Joan's existence.
You gave us so many great suggestions for
new books to read. I hope we weren't too nosey
and our questions didn't offend you! We've been
together for so many years that we have a
tendency to say whatever is on our minds. You
fit right in like you were one of us! Thank you,
thank you, thank you. My best wishes to you and
your family for a wonderful holiday season and
new year. May you be blessed with 100 new best
sellers and the red carpet premieres to go with
them. Your generosity will always be remembered
by this dedicated reader.
AUTHOR
NOTE:
The one-hour ABC Primetime show about Pope Joan
can be easily
obtained at abc.com. Cost is $29.00,
less than $3.00 per book group member (based on
a membership of 10). This investigative
journalism piece is very informative, filled
with "insider" images of Pope Joan right inside
the Vatican itself (some of which even I didn't
get to see) as well as interviews with priests,
liturgical scholars, and writers on both sides
of the "did Joan actually live?" debate.
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Want to request a chat with the author for your group?
Link here. |
Name: Patricia Calvert
Location: at the moment, Germany
Groupname: ONE Great Book Club
Date: January
4, 2010
This is Patricia Calvert writing you from
Germany! I arranged a
conversation with you for my book club,
ONE Great Book Club, early this
month, do you remember? I had just gotten
back from Jordan and told you
that I was leaving for my annual trip to
Europe. I come back to Cologne every
year to visit dear friends, as I used to
live here.
Anyway, I just wanted to let you know
that two nights ago, I was in Cologne shopping
and went to
see the film in the afternoon. Donna, I
loved it! It was really well done
and I thought it followed your wonderful
book very nicely. There were a couple
of things that were different, but they
did not take away from the beauty of
the film. Congratulations! Now all of my
club members are so jealous that I
have seen it and they haven't! It was a
pleasure reading your book and seeing the film.
Donna Machina
Location: Oakton, Virginia
Groupname: Monday Night Book Club
Date: January 7, 2010
A member of our book club read Pope Joan before
in another book club. She
loved the book, and suggested the read for
January. I saw that a lot of
other book groups had read it, and our group
voted for it as a selection.
It would be wonderful to have our speakerphone
conversation with the author
on the date I entered on the
chat request form. As we are all very busy
teachers,
it is difficult to offer other dates to meet.
Now I found out later that the movie is coming
soon to Washington, D.C., so we're
setting up a date to see it as a group!
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Want to request a chat with the author for your group?
Link here. |
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