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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
It's just a little...off? I'm not sure of the words to use, but this book was not for me.
Compelling mystical narrative getting across a distinctive and powerful religious philosophy with surprising clarity. Full review: https://refereeingandreflection.wordpress.com/2025/04/02/the-world-is-your-setting-guide-7-medieval-women-special/
This is a difficult book to review.
It is lovely and courteous. It does not always represent Christian doctrine in a way I agree with. It is at times a bit boring, but at other times it is incredible. I really loved listening to it on my commute, but I couldn't take too much at once.
There were a few moments where I felt like I was understanding something new and beautiful. Ultimately, I think this book is meant to be contemplated for a long time. It took Julian of Norwich a life of contemplation to get to it, so it seems fair.
It is lovely and courteous. It does not always represent Christian doctrine in a way I agree with. It is at times a bit boring, but at other times it is incredible. I really loved listening to it on my commute, but I couldn't take too much at once.
There were a few moments where I felt like I was understanding something new and beautiful. Ultimately, I think this book is meant to be contemplated for a long time. It took Julian of Norwich a life of contemplation to get to it, so it seems fair.
In the very last paragraph of this book, Julian writes: “Beware that you do not take one thing according to your taste and fancy and leave another, for that is what heretics do”
And I read this and laughed out loud because how did she know that is exactly what I was planning to do?
I was on board with a lot of her revelations BUT couldn’t quite agree with that Christian superiority bit. Sorry Julian, I guess I’m a heretic! Mad respect though
And I read this and laughed out loud because how did she know that is exactly what I was planning to do?
I was on board with a lot of her revelations BUT couldn’t quite agree with that Christian superiority bit. Sorry Julian, I guess I’m a heretic! Mad respect though
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Why aren’t there half stars in good reads?
I read even more excerpts last semester (that’s right I decide when books get marked as read) and now I have a Julian icon on my wall so I think that says enough.
I read even more excerpts last semester (that’s right I decide when books get marked as read) and now I have a Julian icon on my wall so I think that says enough.
''You would know well our Lord's meaning in this thing? Know it well. Love was his meaning. Who showed it you? Love. What did he show you? Love. Why did he show it? For love. Hold on to this and you will know and understand love more and more. But you will not know or learn anything else—ever!'
"So it was that I learned that love was our Lord's meaning. And I saw for certain, both here and elsewhere, that before ever he made us, God loved us; and that his love has never slackened, nor ever shall. In this love all his works have been done, and in this love he has made everything serve us; and in this love our life is everlasting. Our beginning was when we were made, but the love in which he made us never had beginning. In it we have our beginning.
"All this we shall see in God for ever. May Jesus grant this.
"Amen."
"So it was that I learned that love was our Lord's meaning. And I saw for certain, both here and elsewhere, that before ever he made us, God loved us; and that his love has never slackened, nor ever shall. In this love all his works have been done, and in this love he has made everything serve us; and in this love our life is everlasting. Our beginning was when we were made, but the love in which he made us never had beginning. In it we have our beginning.
"All this we shall see in God for ever. May Jesus grant this.
"Amen."
October 2024: A lifeline. This is exactly the book I needed to reread in the midst of so much uprooting and change. The Lord's refrain to Julian has become mine as well: "I am keeping you very safe."
February 2021: I'm speechless after finishing and am tempted to immediately pick the book up once more. I would so love to have a cup of tea with Julian. What a woman. Her abundant wisdom and humility are evident on every page. These are the most beautiful, soul-comforting words I have read in a long time—a reminder that we are never not held in God's love and that Christ is our true Mother. Wow.
February 2021: I'm speechless after finishing and am tempted to immediately pick the book up once more. I would so love to have a cup of tea with Julian. What a woman. Her abundant wisdom and humility are evident on every page. These are the most beautiful, soul-comforting words I have read in a long time—a reminder that we are never not held in God's love and that Christ is our true Mother. Wow.
A classic account of the revelations she experienced in 1373, and then interperted, first in a short text, and then later in a long text. This is the "translated" modern version, which updates some of the spellings and words, making the book a more pleasant read than the original language (which is still quite readable, and I own and read as well, in comparison to this - but for enjoyment, and even initial undergraduate study, this is an excellent version to purchase).