Product Description

Coming from a society where women were barred from serious writing and teaching, Julian, an anchorite of the great medieval city of Norwich, nevertheless uses her womanlines and the English vernacular of the day to describe a series of revelations which she received from God in the year 1373. She identifies the female nature of Christ's suffering and the motherhood of God, using images from domestic daily life, emphasizing the homeliness of God's love. She writes in a lively and unpretentious manner and her theology is precise without ever being pedantic.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #17453 in Books
• Published on: 2003-07-31
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

About the Author
Julian of Norwich (c. 1342 after 1416) was the first woman writer in English. Nothing is known of her background or even her real name, simply that she believed she was a messenger to all Christians because of her 'showings' from God. A.C. Spearing and Elizabeth Spearing have published numerous books and articles on medieval literature.

Customer Reviews

a peculiarly modern medieval mystic!
Julian Of Norwich was an anchoress living in Norwich in the late 14th century. Aged 30, she receieved her showings, or revelations of Divine Love. She then became enclosed, devoting to the rest of her life to writing down her visions, and understanding them.

Julian can be easily placed within a series of female medieval mystics - women such as Hildegard of Bingen, Hadewich of Brabant, Clare of Assisi. Where she differs is in the simple uncluttered honesty of her approach; in her exploration of God as Mother, as well as of Father; and in her acceptance of our bodily nature, even joy in it.

The First Woman Writer
This is a fantastic book by the first British writer who can be identified as female. Although she led a secluded life, it gave her the time and space to ruminate over her 'visions' in relation to philosophy and theology. The images are beautifully crafted, the visions described intricately. Perhaps the most interesting element of this book is that Julian uses a site of patriarchal power to investigate femininity - Jesus is a mother, his love is the love of a mother.

A Brilliant Light in Christian Revelation
I live in Norwich and am a member of the (at present) small number of admirers of the work of Julian of Norwich. "Mother" Julian is however being discovered by people all over the world and I believe that a time will come when her Revelations will become very famous and widespread - the world is just not yet ready for the details of her extraordinary experiences in Christian mysticism. Her writings are so different and challenging - remember too, she was expressing her mysticism in a time when she could have been excommunicated from the church - or, worst scenario, ? burnt as an heretic.

The Church of St Julian is still a fully functioning one in the "red light" area of Norwich - a curious oasis of peace in the maelstrom of a space full of potential and actual misery where sex workers are forced to ply their "trade" to support their addiction to "Class
A" drugs.

Attached to the church is Julian's "cell" where she lived as an anchorite and gave advice to the population here during her lifetime. For those open "to the vibes" (yes, I'm an ageing "hippy", upon entering the small chapel designated as her cell, a wonderful presence and feeling of peace and disembodied love may be experienced. Truly a place where the "Holy Spirit" dwells. I strongly recommend coming to visit St Julian's to all inclined to visit this remarkable place [it's on the internet]. And, by the way, although the windows get smashed from time to time in the cell - such is life - the tranquility endures.

I first encountered her work (sadly unread!) in the philosophy department at the library at my university (Uni of East Anglia) and have been fascinated by her writings for the past twenty years. The concept of "God as Mother" is so radical for the time in which she lived and is still a revolutionary concept - particularly with the current row about women being ordained as Bishops. (Surely the Spirit of Christ can dwell in all of us - gender is irrelevant? - For us convinced Christians we all seek to become like Him.)

All I can say about the book itself is READ IT - and share it - it can be consulted upon a daily basis - just as if Julian is still living today - which, in the spiritual sense, is so. I recommend the modern translation unless you have a grasp of late mediaeval/early modern English though. It is my favorite book in my library. There is an abridged "pocket" version of her Revelations - also beautiful - which are useful as an aid to meditation and contemplation wherever one may be.