This slim little book was an interesting historical and philosophical look at the Revelations written by a medieval anchorite, Julian of Norwich.
Little is definitively known about her, but she lived for decades in the 14th century as an anchorite: literally sealed into a cell in medieval Norwich walls. This was a religious practice where you were literally sealed away and “dead to the world”, yet also provided advice and solace through a grille in a centrally-located cell.
Ramirez conjectures that Julian was a mother, potentially a widow, who wanted to devote her life to religious contemplation after a period of grief. I like how Ramirez contextualised the religious decisions and life choices of Julian.
The writings of Julian existed in the context of women having mystical experiences and visitations and using these to create a voice for themselves in the medieval Church. Margary of Kempe, another famous mystic, visited Julian. It’s chilling how dangerous it was for women, and men, to speak on religious subjects in the context of tightening heresy laws.
Julian started to write, or think about writing, after some near-death experiences that led her to have her religious visions. Her work is all about love and forgiveness: she felt her illness and visions helped her feel and process extreme pain that gave her insights on suffering.
Love the work of Janina Ramirez and want to read more of her work. A great book about a unique woman!
One word: insightful.
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