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I, Julian

Oct 19, 2023 | 2023 - Winter – Free, Book Reviews

I, Julian

Author Claire Gilbert
Publisher Hodder & Stoughton £18.99
Format hbk
ISBN 9781399807524

A novel about an obscure 14th-century lady who spent most of her life in solitary confinement does not seem to be promising territory. But the lady is Julian of Norwich and the author is Claire Gilbert, fine writer and wise theologian, who succeeds splendidly in bringing the mysterious Julian to vibrant life. We follow Julian’s entire story from earliest childhood, when the Black Death struck her family, through marriage and motherhood – when another outbreak of plague left her a lonely widow. After receiving divine visions during her own near-fatal illness, she found her vocation as a hermit, bricked up forever in a cell adjacent to St Julian’s church. Here she was inspired to write Revelations of Divine Love, the spiritual manual we value to this day. Gilbert paints a vivid picture of medieval religious tension when fear of death and hell dominated people’s minds. Her triumph is to demonstrate how Julian left her negative childhood faith to become an assured theologian, utterly convinced that God’s wrath had been replaced by Christ’s overwhelming compassion and love on the cross. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by KATE BURTON

Novel

 

The Company of Heaven

Oct 19, 2023 | 2023 - Winter – Free, Book Reviews

The Company of Heaven

Author Catherine Fox
Publisher Marylebone House (SPCK) £10.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9781910674673

Those who have read her previous ‘Lindchester’ novels will relish this latest offering from the talented Catherine Fox. She creates beautifully drawn characters who (though they swear rather too much for the comfort of some) invariably show great compassion and true humanity against the depressing backdrop of the pandemic. Their full identity is found in Jesus Christ, despite their unconventional and occasionally bizarre lifestyles. Ultimately, this novel is about human vulnerability and this is primarily personified in the young, autistic, androgenous artist, Paver – a brilliant portrait of someone finding their way after deep personal tragedy. Fox writes with vivid prose, which is frequently hilarious, but also full of beautiful allusions to the natural world, to music, art and science. The text is studded with subtle biblical references, reminding readers that this is a religious work. The author’s wisdom shines through her principal theme – the weaknesses and strengths of our humanity. There is additional bonus material in the form of three short stories featuring the Lindchester characters, making this entertaining book excellent value for money: ideal reading for long autumn evenings.

Reviewed by ALICE BURDETT

Novel

 

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