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I, Julian
'So I will write in English, pressing new words from this beautiful plain language spoken by all. Not courtly French to introduce God politely. Not church Latin to construct arguments. English to show it as it is. Even though it is not safe to do so.'
From the author of Miles to Go before I Sleep comes I, Julian, the account of a medieval woman who dares to tell her own story, battling grief, plague, the church and societal expectations to do so. Compelled by the powerful visions she had when close to death, Julian finds a way to live a life of freedom - as an anchoress, bricked up in a small room on the side of a church - and to write of what she has seen. The result, passed from hand to hand, is the first book to be written by a woman in English.
Tender, luminous, meditative and powerful, Julian writes of her love for God, and God's love for the whole of creation. 'All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.'
'Written with profound insight, spiritual and psychological, and a rare sensitivity to the everyday world of the fourteenth century, I, Julian is a brilliantly illuminating companion to one of the greatest works of spiritual writing in English.' Rowan Williams, Magdalene College, Cambridge University
From the author of Miles to Go before I Sleep comes I, Julian, the account of a medieval woman who dares to tell her own story, battling grief, plague, the church and societal expectations to do so. Compelled by the powerful visions she had when close to death, Julian finds a way to live a life of freedom - as an anchoress, bricked up in a small room on the side of a church - and to write of what she has seen. The result, passed from hand to hand, is the first book to be written by a woman in English.
Tender, luminous, meditative and powerful, Julian writes of her love for God, and God's love for the whole of creation. 'All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.'
'Written with profound insight, spiritual and psychological, and a rare sensitivity to the everyday world of the fourteenth century, I, Julian is a brilliantly illuminating companion to one of the greatest works of spiritual writing in English.' Rowan Williams, Magdalene College, Cambridge University
208 pages, Hardcover
Published April 13, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
May 1, 2023
I, Julian reimagines biography of Julian of Norwich, an English mystic and anchoress.
Mid 14th century, Norwich, England. Julian (1343 – after 1416), at seven, loses her father to pestilence. She is in pain over his death. She doesn’t know how to process it and how to heal from it. That’s when the seed of her visions start.
At ten, her mother teaches her to read. Later, Julian counts it as her greatest gift from her mother.
At nineteen, her mother wants her to marry, but Julian doesn’t want to obey a man and bear children. She prefers solitude. Her mother insists on her meeting Martin, a wool merchant. Julian does and realizes that beneath his strong appearance there is tenderness. She thinks the city will be bearable when she is with him.
Later, she is introduced to the lay sisters who transformed her mother. She also learns of such calling as anchoress. Upon some contemplations she picks a path that she feels is right for her.
Once, she gets sick and being close to death, her visions start. Visions that lead her to the service, to help a grieving world.
The story is revealed through stunning prose. Julian’s feelings are beautifully breathed into this story. I found some visions and contemplations a bit too long. Overall, the story is very well-crafted and authentic. The voice of Julian is very believable.
P.S. This story reminded me of Margery Kempe, an English Christian mystic. If you enjoy stories of women’s lives in Middle Ages, I also highly recommend Revelations by Mary Sharratt.
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Mid 14th century, Norwich, England. Julian (1343 – after 1416), at seven, loses her father to pestilence. She is in pain over his death. She doesn’t know how to process it and how to heal from it. That’s when the seed of her visions start.
At ten, her mother teaches her to read. Later, Julian counts it as her greatest gift from her mother.
At nineteen, her mother wants her to marry, but Julian doesn’t want to obey a man and bear children. She prefers solitude. Her mother insists on her meeting Martin, a wool merchant. Julian does and realizes that beneath his strong appearance there is tenderness. She thinks the city will be bearable when she is with him.
Later, she is introduced to the lay sisters who transformed her mother. She also learns of such calling as anchoress. Upon some contemplations she picks a path that she feels is right for her.
Once, she gets sick and being close to death, her visions start. Visions that lead her to the service, to help a grieving world.
The story is revealed through stunning prose. Julian’s feelings are beautifully breathed into this story. I found some visions and contemplations a bit too long. Overall, the story is very well-crafted and authentic. The voice of Julian is very believable.
P.S. This story reminded me of Margery Kempe, an English Christian mystic. If you enjoy stories of women’s lives in Middle Ages, I also highly recommend Revelations by Mary Sharratt.
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 20, 2023
I heard about this book through Sarah Arthur, whose literary opinions I trust implicitly. She gave it five stars. Yet, that was not enough to keep me from going into I, Julian with some fear and trepidation. I am deeply attached to Revelations of Divine Love. I read it every year. Other folks’ interpretations often bring me great joy and deepen my reading, but when it comes to fiction, I worry. There is always room for interpretation. What there is not room for in my reading life is bad takes on medieval women, which are numerous. Even today this happens, though medieval studies, particularly concerning women, flourish like never before.
Gilbert has a more educated view, exploring the opportunities and expansiveness that medieval women enjoyed. How she imagines Julian’s life before the anchorhold is fascinating to me, plausible, and believable. She places a timeline in the back of the book noting historical and fictional events, which I found extremely helpful.
I love how she explores Julian’s connection to nature, her relationship with her mother and child, and her relationships with those in the outside world when she is enclosed. The way Gilbert explains the Short Text and Long Text of Revelations is marvelous, as is the way she uses Julian’s interior life to explore Julian’s theology. I, Julian is simply a good novel about the life of prayer. I find myself edified, encouraged, and challenged. Not quite the same way as when I read Revelations every year, but still, deeply and profoundly. I love, love, love how Gilbert explored not just the experience of the liturgy in Julian’s life, but also the text of it in her musings.
I can already tell I will read this book again. It would be delightful as an audiobook with a good voice for Julian in her later years. Gilbert does not use quotation marks, which peeves me, but she does set dialogue off in its own paragraphs and indented, which appeases me. She also makes too little use of commas, but I warmed to her style over time, remembering that she is creating a fictional third text written by a woman in early fifteenth-century England.
Highly recommended.
Gilbert has a more educated view, exploring the opportunities and expansiveness that medieval women enjoyed. How she imagines Julian’s life before the anchorhold is fascinating to me, plausible, and believable. She places a timeline in the back of the book noting historical and fictional events, which I found extremely helpful.
I love how she explores Julian’s connection to nature, her relationship with her mother and child, and her relationships with those in the outside world when she is enclosed. The way Gilbert explains the Short Text and Long Text of Revelations is marvelous, as is the way she uses Julian’s interior life to explore Julian’s theology. I, Julian is simply a good novel about the life of prayer. I find myself edified, encouraged, and challenged. Not quite the same way as when I read Revelations every year, but still, deeply and profoundly. I love, love, love how Gilbert explored not just the experience of the liturgy in Julian’s life, but also the text of it in her musings.
I can already tell I will read this book again. It would be delightful as an audiobook with a good voice for Julian in her later years. Gilbert does not use quotation marks, which peeves me, but she does set dialogue off in its own paragraphs and indented, which appeases me. She also makes too little use of commas, but I warmed to her style over time, remembering that she is creating a fictional third text written by a woman in early fifteenth-century England.
Highly recommended.
June 17, 2023
I sort of feel like this novel was written just for me because it catered to me so specifically, and I discovered it in an independent bookshop in Edinburgh a few months ago in a way that felt like fate or the hand of God.
I’ve been fascinated by the historical figure of Julian of Norwich for almost as long as I can remember, and Claire Gilbert brings her to life in this beautiful fictional autobiography. Written in lovely prose and with profound spiritual insight, this might not be for everyone but it was a special read for me.
I’ve been fascinated by the historical figure of Julian of Norwich for almost as long as I can remember, and Claire Gilbert brings her to life in this beautiful fictional autobiography. Written in lovely prose and with profound spiritual insight, this might not be for everyone but it was a special read for me.
February 9, 2024
Lovely and plausible. Kinda slow. Hard to jazz up the life of an anchorite with action. But Gilbert gives it a go. And fills in the historical gaps with what we know the life of a contemplative is, so it becomes a kind of primer. Could've used a bit more about Julian's counselling. But the focus in the book is on the production of the Revelations of Divine Love. Nice that there is more to be said, even about Julian's quiet life.
November 26, 2024
A fictional autobiography of Julian of Norwich (1343 - after 1416) who lived through some of the most tumultuous times, seeing several waves of the bubonic plague & the beginning of the questioning of Roman Catholicism & the Church in England. In this fictional account, after losing her husband & daughter to the plague & drawn to contemplation by the visions of God she has had since childhood, Julian decides to become an anchorite or anchoress. This was where the person underwent a figurative death to the outside world & was walled up inside a small room on the side of a church. The only access to the outside world was usually a small window into the church where they could watch Mass & receive the sacrament & sometimes one to the outside so they could speak to visitors, listen to their worries, dispense advice, & pray for others.
It seems that Julian spent an astonishing 20+ years inside her small cell. Plenty of time to write her book 'Revelations of Divine Love' which the British Library website says is the first English language work authored by a woman. There are lots of historical events noted in this fictional book which were not mentioned in the actual work, & it does not hold back in describing several crises of faith. There are many pages discussing the visions & what they might mean, including theological debates on the nature of God's love & human sin.
It is written as if it is being dictated by Julian herself, & it's quite jarring at the beginning but the reader soon gets the hang of it. The prose, especially when about the visions, is what modern readers would term 'flowery' or 'purple' prose which is in keeping with the writing of the time but is more difficult for readers today as we are generally unaccustomed to it. Personally, I tend to read faster through those parts & concentrate on the more historical side of things. I've always had a fascination with the history of the Church & especially female ascetics - I completed an extended essay on the 'fasting saints' such as Catherine of Siena during my Masters course. I enjoyed reading this, I think the author created a believable backstory & incorporated the historical events well - it can be a little hard going at times though. Overall I rate this one 3.5 stars (rounded up)
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, John Murray Press/Hodder & Stoughton, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
It seems that Julian spent an astonishing 20+ years inside her small cell. Plenty of time to write her book 'Revelations of Divine Love' which the British Library website says is the first English language work authored by a woman. There are lots of historical events noted in this fictional book which were not mentioned in the actual work, & it does not hold back in describing several crises of faith. There are many pages discussing the visions & what they might mean, including theological debates on the nature of God's love & human sin.
It is written as if it is being dictated by Julian herself, & it's quite jarring at the beginning but the reader soon gets the hang of it. The prose, especially when about the visions, is what modern readers would term 'flowery' or 'purple' prose which is in keeping with the writing of the time but is more difficult for readers today as we are generally unaccustomed to it. Personally, I tend to read faster through those parts & concentrate on the more historical side of things. I've always had a fascination with the history of the Church & especially female ascetics - I completed an extended essay on the 'fasting saints' such as Catherine of Siena during my Masters course. I enjoyed reading this, I think the author created a believable backstory & incorporated the historical events well - it can be a little hard going at times though. Overall I rate this one 3.5 stars (rounded up)
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, John Murray Press/Hodder & Stoughton, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
April 15, 2023
The narrator of this fictional story is the protagonist Julian. It is set in the fourteenth century.
The book opens with Julian as a small girl, an intense sensitive only child, and how life is seen through her eyes.
Moving forward Julian lives through various waves of the pestilence, and loses some of her beloved to this, as lots of death occurred during those sad times due to it.
Julian and her mother are very religious, and the church is always a main feature of their lives.
Julian herself becomes seriously ill, and during the end of the illness experiences visions.
Consequently Julian decides to become an Anchoress, to be classed to the world as dead, to be placed in a small room added on to the end of a church, bricked in for the remainder of her life.
I have been vaguely aware of what an anchoress is, but do not know a lot about that subject, so when I had a chance to read this book I was very interested.
It was interesting reading about Julian’s life during that era, and about how the establishment of the church affected people’s lives.
The book is fictional, but reading the notes at the end of the book there was an actual person named Julian who was an anchoress.
This book was a different type of read for myself, but I liked reading it. I certainly cannot imagine being bricked into a room personally, but some people during those times did choose that lifestyle.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Publisher for an advanced e-book copy. Opinions about the book are entirely my own.
The book opens with Julian as a small girl, an intense sensitive only child, and how life is seen through her eyes.
Moving forward Julian lives through various waves of the pestilence, and loses some of her beloved to this, as lots of death occurred during those sad times due to it.
Julian and her mother are very religious, and the church is always a main feature of their lives.
Julian herself becomes seriously ill, and during the end of the illness experiences visions.
Consequently Julian decides to become an Anchoress, to be classed to the world as dead, to be placed in a small room added on to the end of a church, bricked in for the remainder of her life.
I have been vaguely aware of what an anchoress is, but do not know a lot about that subject, so when I had a chance to read this book I was very interested.
It was interesting reading about Julian’s life during that era, and about how the establishment of the church affected people’s lives.
The book is fictional, but reading the notes at the end of the book there was an actual person named Julian who was an anchoress.
This book was a different type of read for myself, but I liked reading it. I certainly cannot imagine being bricked into a room personally, but some people during those times did choose that lifestyle.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Publisher for an advanced e-book copy. Opinions about the book are entirely my own.
April 30, 2023
After the death of her father in the first great pestilience, Julian finds herself wanting to retreat from everyday life. Her mother lives alone in a small cottage but Julian is expected to marry and does so. Her husband is kind and Julian becomes a mother but both are taken from her by the next wave of pestilence. Despite having an offer of marriage Julian wishes to live a contemplative life but a serious illness leads to powerful visions and Julian realises she wants to dedicate herself to God. When an opportunity to become an anchoress presents itself, Julian chooses to this and lives for many years, accompanied only by a servant. Despite opposition from the heretic-seeking Church, Julian commits her visions to parchment.
I have long been fascinated by the tale of Julian of Norwich, a late 14th century anchoress bricked up in a Church with her only contact through a window on the world. In this book Gilbert has turned scant facts into a wonderful fictional autobiography. The writings of attributed to Julian are beautiful and Gilbert's prose does them justice. This is great book.
I have long been fascinated by the tale of Julian of Norwich, a late 14th century anchoress bricked up in a Church with her only contact through a window on the world. In this book Gilbert has turned scant facts into a wonderful fictional autobiography. The writings of attributed to Julian are beautiful and Gilbert's prose does them justice. This is great book.
February 21, 2025
Some of the other reviews of this book say that you probably won't enjoy it unless you're well-versed in theology, specifically Christianity. Now, listen. I'm a dumb bitch. God is just a three letter word to me. I have no idea how Christianity works. I know that Catholics eat wafers and Jesus was everything that MAGA hates, and that's about it. And I still loved this book, so there's hope for all of us.
May 30, 2024
I couldn’t put it down, a really sensitive reimagining of such a remarkable woman’s life. I would have liked to see an encounter with Margery but regardless this made me tear up many times. I would have loved to have met Julian and I continue to honour her in my life.
September 2, 2024
hmmm okay so i guess I wasn't the target audience for this? Not enough biography that's trustworthy to make me feel like I learned much and the plot points are so sparse that it was parched for literally anything to happen. (Getting the cat was a highlight).
Not to mention that the Christian vibes in here are BORING unless you are of course... A Christian. If you're into that you'll have a blast I suppose.
Not to mention that the Christian vibes in here are BORING unless you are of course... A Christian. If you're into that you'll have a blast I suppose.
August 22, 2024
Needless to say, I love this book. Julian of Norwich has been a person of interest to me for quite a while. My mom had a copy of her Revelations of Divine Love and Richard Rohr and others quote her a lot, but I had never investigated her for myself.
After spending 11 months pretty much homebound with Long Covid and spending a lot of that time in my bedroom, I began to think about both Emily Dickinson and Julian, two women who chose lives of solitude, and wondering why they made those choices and also wondering if they had any wisdom that I might glean.
I was also interested in what spurred Julian to proclaim that "all shall be well." I have always trusted this statement and have subscribed to it myself, but after dealing with this illness for such a long time (a total of 4 years now); along with experiencing workplace bullying, the trauma of which almost completely shattered my assumptions of a benevolent universe; along with climate change and the state of the world; I wondered if things really will be okay. I wondered if Julian's statement still holds up in these modern times.
I am happy to say that I found reassurance and new insights into Julian and her words of hope. Claire Gilbert studied Julian for her PhD and after writing her dissertation on what Julian has to say about the ecological crisis, she wrote this novel as a way of reaching more people with Julian's wisdom. We don't really know much about Julian's life, but I trust Gilbert's imagining of it here in this novel, based on her academic research.
I have about 12 pages of notes and quotes I took from this novel, things I want to come back to and be reminded of. I will probably re-read this novel at some point, which I don't often do. I also learned about the beguines in these pages, and now that I know about them, they're showing up everywhere. Ha!
I've been recommending this novel to many friends and I confidently recommend it to you if you are interested in women's history, history in general, or a life of faith.
After spending 11 months pretty much homebound with Long Covid and spending a lot of that time in my bedroom, I began to think about both Emily Dickinson and Julian, two women who chose lives of solitude, and wondering why they made those choices and also wondering if they had any wisdom that I might glean.
I was also interested in what spurred Julian to proclaim that "all shall be well." I have always trusted this statement and have subscribed to it myself, but after dealing with this illness for such a long time (a total of 4 years now); along with experiencing workplace bullying, the trauma of which almost completely shattered my assumptions of a benevolent universe; along with climate change and the state of the world; I wondered if things really will be okay. I wondered if Julian's statement still holds up in these modern times.
I am happy to say that I found reassurance and new insights into Julian and her words of hope. Claire Gilbert studied Julian for her PhD and after writing her dissertation on what Julian has to say about the ecological crisis, she wrote this novel as a way of reaching more people with Julian's wisdom. We don't really know much about Julian's life, but I trust Gilbert's imagining of it here in this novel, based on her academic research.
I have about 12 pages of notes and quotes I took from this novel, things I want to come back to and be reminded of. I will probably re-read this novel at some point, which I don't often do. I also learned about the beguines in these pages, and now that I know about them, they're showing up everywhere. Ha!
I've been recommending this novel to many friends and I confidently recommend it to you if you are interested in women's history, history in general, or a life of faith.
March 22, 2025
Julian of Norwich was the first woman to have composed a work written in English. Her most famous work was Revelations of Divine Love. In this novel, it retells Julian’s life beginning with her time before she becomes an anchoress. Through a series of hardships, Julian later decides to live in seclusion apart from the world. Throughout her life, Julian comes to have a strong faith in God.
I have read Revelations of Divine Love, and it is one of my favorite books of all time. It gives the reader a glimpse of medieval thought. I was also spellbound by the author’s love for God. Her work was very personal and profound. Therefore, I was curious to learn about how the author dealt with Julian of Norwich’s story.
In I, Julian it fills many of the gaps in her life. In this book, Julian loses all of those who were close to her. She loses her father, her husband, and child. Yet, Julian finds strength and inner peace when she has a vision of God during her illness. I admired Julian as a character. I love how she found God through all her hardships. Her love of God is what keeps her very strong. Therefore, I loved her resilience and her belief in God. She was a very admirable character.
Overall, this novel is about loss, love, and faith. The message of this book is that God is there for you and comforts you especially through hard times. I found all of the characters to be very developed and well-rounded. I like how the author portrayed medieval England and their troubled times! I did think that the novel moved slowly at times. However, I liked how it was character driven. I, Julian was a very beautiful book about faith! I recommend this for fans of Revelations, Hild, and Feathers & Trumpets!
(Note: I read an ARC copy of this book in courtesy of Netgalley.)
I have read Revelations of Divine Love, and it is one of my favorite books of all time. It gives the reader a glimpse of medieval thought. I was also spellbound by the author’s love for God. Her work was very personal and profound. Therefore, I was curious to learn about how the author dealt with Julian of Norwich’s story.
In I, Julian it fills many of the gaps in her life. In this book, Julian loses all of those who were close to her. She loses her father, her husband, and child. Yet, Julian finds strength and inner peace when she has a vision of God during her illness. I admired Julian as a character. I love how she found God through all her hardships. Her love of God is what keeps her very strong. Therefore, I loved her resilience and her belief in God. She was a very admirable character.
Overall, this novel is about loss, love, and faith. The message of this book is that God is there for you and comforts you especially through hard times. I found all of the characters to be very developed and well-rounded. I like how the author portrayed medieval England and their troubled times! I did think that the novel moved slowly at times. However, I liked how it was character driven. I, Julian was a very beautiful book about faith! I recommend this for fans of Revelations, Hild, and Feathers & Trumpets!
(Note: I read an ARC copy of this book in courtesy of Netgalley.)
August 11, 2023
A fictionalized autobiography of 14th-century anchoress Julian of Norwich, Claire Gilbert’s novel features stunning, meditative prose that entrances readers. While taking many creative liberties with her narrative, Gilbert effectively captures both the vicissitudes of Julian’s life and the broader tribulations of plague-ridden, pre-protestant England. I was impressed by the way Gilbert crafted a believable medieval setting, complete with the context of Wycliffian dissidents and references to Chaucer. This novel is a beautiful way in for readers seeking a more personal understanding of the tensions within Christianity during the Late Middle Ages.
While Gilbert’s writing was of remarkable merit, I found the pacing of the novel to be, at times, frustrating. The life of an anchoress is not one of action, of course, but Gilbert’s prose is largely centered around Julian’s mystical visions and the ripples they create within her faith, and these revelations often felt repetitive. I think there is more labor that could have been done with Julian’s character. By the time she makes the decision to go into hermitage, I was not thoroughly convinced of the weight of her past trauma that Gilbert outlines in the beginning of the text.
Moreover, I think this novel may be difficult to get into for readers who are not enthusiastically Christian or, at least, have an interest in theology and its history. Simply put: there is a lot of god in this book. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed Gilbert’s novel and finished it feeling satisfied with and compelled by Julian as a figure.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for providing me with this ARC!
While Gilbert’s writing was of remarkable merit, I found the pacing of the novel to be, at times, frustrating. The life of an anchoress is not one of action, of course, but Gilbert’s prose is largely centered around Julian’s mystical visions and the ripples they create within her faith, and these revelations often felt repetitive. I think there is more labor that could have been done with Julian’s character. By the time she makes the decision to go into hermitage, I was not thoroughly convinced of the weight of her past trauma that Gilbert outlines in the beginning of the text.
Moreover, I think this novel may be difficult to get into for readers who are not enthusiastically Christian or, at least, have an interest in theology and its history. Simply put: there is a lot of god in this book. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed Gilbert’s novel and finished it feeling satisfied with and compelled by Julian as a figure.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for providing me with this ARC!
September 17, 2023
4.5 stars
I, Julian is a fictional autobiography of Julian of Norwich, first female anchoress and author of the earliest surviving English works by a woman. When a near-death illness causes her to have visions of God that strike a chord with many, she becomes a hermit living in Norwich and writes religious texts. In her lifetime she experiences several rounds of black death as well as the peasants' revolt, and her writings are considered somewhat radical and dangerous by the church.
This is a wonderful book. It's written as Julian reciting the story to her close friend Thomas, and it truly comes alive in this format. Claire Gilbert's prose is gorgeous and evocative, and although I got a bit lost with some of the Jesus stuff towards the end, I was absolutely enthralled throughout the whole book.
Thank you Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Content warnings: death of a child, death of a parent, death by plague, pandemic, burning at the stake, illness, graphic descriptions of black death, feces, anxiety
I, Julian is a fictional autobiography of Julian of Norwich, first female anchoress and author of the earliest surviving English works by a woman. When a near-death illness causes her to have visions of God that strike a chord with many, she becomes a hermit living in Norwich and writes religious texts. In her lifetime she experiences several rounds of black death as well as the peasants' revolt, and her writings are considered somewhat radical and dangerous by the church.
This is a wonderful book. It's written as Julian reciting the story to her close friend Thomas, and it truly comes alive in this format. Claire Gilbert's prose is gorgeous and evocative, and although I got a bit lost with some of the Jesus stuff towards the end, I was absolutely enthralled throughout the whole book.
Thank you Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Content warnings: death of a child, death of a parent, death by plague, pandemic, burning at the stake, illness, graphic descriptions of black death, feces, anxiety
June 3, 2025
I had been unaware of this lovely, inspired work of imagination about the life and teachings of Lady Julian until it jumped from the shelves at All Hallows Guesthouse next to the Julian Shrine in Norwich. I devoured it over two days. It’s a faithful (in so many ways) account of Julian’s life - Gilbert hews to the few known details and fills in a life full of joy and suffering that neither shies from the tragedies Julian would have experienced nor the ecstatic moments of contemplation. I admired that Gilbert didn’t shy away from the tricky topic of Julian’s contradiction of church doctrine while needing to keep herself and those around her safe from an increasingly aggressive church. Hard line to walk, and I appreciated Gilbert’s restraint in not over-interpreting. Gilbert manages to let Julian speak for herself even as she invents Julian’s life. Thank you for making Julian accessible to all of us!
April 23, 2023
I am grateful to Netgalley and Hodder and Stoughton for sight of the pre-publication copy.
This is an excellent read, uplifting an enthralling, a fictional account of the creation of the writing of anchorite Julian of Norwich. Such devotion and insight does not come from nothing. Julian lives at a turbulent time. Her childhood is set at the time of the devastating Black Death (the Great Pestilence), endured in pain and ignorance, attributed by the established Church to the sins of the people. Racked with guilt young Julian believes she is responsible for the death of her father. She is married, has a daughter, only to see them taken by a further wave of the pestilence. Enough to destroy sanity; but her life defining moment is a vision of the crucified Christ and she struggles to understand this.
After meeting a group of independent women parchmenters she decides to seek to become an anchoress. The rest of the book describes her struggle to be true to herself and her vision while staying within Mother Church whose functionaries seek to restrain her and her mission. This is beautifully described with clarity and tension and the message is clear: Love is all, and all shall be well.
This is an excellent read, uplifting an enthralling, a fictional account of the creation of the writing of anchorite Julian of Norwich. Such devotion and insight does not come from nothing. Julian lives at a turbulent time. Her childhood is set at the time of the devastating Black Death (the Great Pestilence), endured in pain and ignorance, attributed by the established Church to the sins of the people. Racked with guilt young Julian believes she is responsible for the death of her father. She is married, has a daughter, only to see them taken by a further wave of the pestilence. Enough to destroy sanity; but her life defining moment is a vision of the crucified Christ and she struggles to understand this.
After meeting a group of independent women parchmenters she decides to seek to become an anchoress. The rest of the book describes her struggle to be true to herself and her vision while staying within Mother Church whose functionaries seek to restrain her and her mission. This is beautifully described with clarity and tension and the message is clear: Love is all, and all shall be well.
April 8, 2023
This story is inspired by the life of Julian of Norwich, an anchoress during the 14th century. Gifted with prophetic visions, Julian was notorious for offering counsel to many people, eventually writing manuscripts that soon become the first ever book written by a woman in English.
This book definitely challenges Julian’s faith and in doing so makes her an enemy of the church. In an era that reviled women’s voices and condemned heresy, Julian remained unyielding in her love for god.
Overall, this was an incredibly touching book and very well written. If you’re into historical fiction that covers religion, loss and hope, then I would 100% recommend this!
This book definitely challenges Julian’s faith and in doing so makes her an enemy of the church. In an era that reviled women’s voices and condemned heresy, Julian remained unyielding in her love for god.
Overall, this was an incredibly touching book and very well written. If you’re into historical fiction that covers religion, loss and hope, then I would 100% recommend this!
August 27, 2023
This book reads like a devotion. With love from a mystic. One who misunderstood God, who wanted a different life than what was expected, who suffered loss and guilt and shame. Perhaps these are portals wherein God can show his fullness to us. Based on recorded incidents, and enhanced with knowing fiction.
April 20, 2024
BRAVO!
I couldn't put this book down. I loved the way that the character of Julian came alive in it's pages. I loved the story telling and just everything about it. It was lovely. Thank you.
I couldn't put this book down. I loved the way that the character of Julian came alive in it's pages. I loved the story telling and just everything about it. It was lovely. Thank you.
June 30, 2025
I am drawn into the world of the fictional Julian that the author so skillfully embodies, and do not want to leave. Now, I will turn to the writings of Julian herself, and let her words on the love of God flow over and through me.
April 17, 2024
I won’t be surprised if this, in April, remains the best book I read all year. Exquisitely written. Beautiful.
October 12, 2024
Always fascinated by the life of this woman.
January 2, 2025
An excellent book to start the new year with. Couldn’t put it down!
April 11, 2025
I knew a little about Julian, who lived through turbulent years in the 14th century. Well written, sympathetic, and it gave me an insight into women’s lives during this time.
July 15, 2025
This was fascinating and touching. It brought home the control - and appeal - of the church at this, a time of plague and unrest. It was a perceptive imagining of an extraordinary life.
February 27, 2023
What a beautiful book this is. The author has cleverly crafted an account of the life of Julian of Norwich that reads as though Julian had written it herself. It’s a totally believable combination of truth and fiction centred around Julian’s book Revelations of Divine Love. It depicts her life as an anchoress coupled with the known history of the period. I truly couldn’t put it down!
I received a free copy of this book. A favourable review was not required and all opinions expressed here are my own.
I received a free copy of this book. A favourable review was not required and all opinions expressed here are my own.
July 17, 2024
Salve for my soul. Rarely has my faith felt so directly addressed in writing, so well represented in art. Several times I had to set down the book and pray – rarely does the Lord speak to me so clearly through a novel.
At the same time, Julian's theology is certainly unorthodox, and the back half drags a bit. Not a book I'd recommend to everyone, but it certainly piqued my interest in the mystics.
At the same time, Julian's theology is certainly unorthodox, and the back half drags a bit. Not a book I'd recommend to everyone, but it certainly piqued my interest in the mystics.
June 3, 2023
A total deviation from my usual genres, this is the imagined autobiography of one of the most important women in English medieval Christianity. It's beautiful, gentle, heart-breaking, and poetic. Although I am devoutly areligious, I found great strength in Julian's overcoming of her internal battles, doubts and fear. I suppose, prayer is just a particular form of meditation. The 1300s were a rough time to be alive, but there was beauty too.
May 13, 2024
3 stars
August 11, 2024
A really interesting, moving and beautiful book.
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