Julian's Cell: The Earthy Story of Julian of Norwich

A wonderfully engaging and well-imagined tale of one of the world's great Christian mystics, about whom, unfortunately, we know very little. The author has, for this book, taken what few facts we have and woven around them a plausible, entertaining, moving tale of Mother Julian of Norwich. This is historical fiction at its best, weaving a fictional personage into what we do know of a time period, and doing it seamlessly. The author's character of Julian may or may not be very like the woman who spent so many years in a cell at St Julian's Church in Norwich, true, but she may well have been, and why not? Love, faith, and joy shines throughout this novel. As a lover of history, historical fiction, and Christian mystical writings, this book was absolutely to my taste in every way. Well done, on every level.

Ralph Milton has produced an impressive novel outlining the history of the fourteenth century English anchoress Julian Of Norwich. Though I have no knowledge about whether the book is historically accurate, it is a clear story and very logically written. We see how Julian (known as Katherine or Kate before she became an anchoress in Norwich church) was affected by the outbreaks of bubonic plague which killed both her young children and her husband when she was very young. We then see that she had doubts whether becoming an anchoress was what God intended for her, but that she did overcome what was the most difficult decision of her life to enter into a life of prayer. All through, we notice how emotional Julian and the people around her are, despite the theological view of anger as sinful. This is especially true when it becomes known (late in the book) that England is at a war with France only for the needs of the king. We also see that Julian overcomes her psychological problems to write down the visions she has very clearly - and the fact that a large number of people actually visited her in the anchorhold. In addition to the war with France, the novel contains some information about the Lollards in its later passages. We see Julian as someone willing, in fact, to think respectfully about issues in the outside world. A very interesting tale - easy to read for those who would never get through a theological work.

This wonderful little book of historical fiction is a great introduction to Julian of Norwich, the 14th century anchorite mystic. After acknowledging in the introduction that much of the story is imagined based on what is known of Julian, Ralph Milton draws you in with his well honed story telling skills. He creates for the reader a Julian who is fully human, yet delightfully divine. Despite the fictional nature of the work, it is nevertheless true to the spirit of Julian that is revealed in her writings, which are quoted throughout the book. In an age when the Church largely portrayed humans as "loathsome worms, totally undeserving of God's love and mercy," Julian proclaimed "the human creature is a treasure in the heart of God" (p.11) What is remarkable about Julian is that her theology is so refreshingly contemporary more than 600 years later. The greatest compliment I can give any book, and which I fully give this one, is the sadness I felt in turning the final page - Julian had become an old friend, a sister, to whom I did not wish to say goodbye. But, as those familiar with Julian might expect, Milton has as her final words to the reader, "All shall be well. And all shall be well. And all manner of things shall be well." And all is well with Milton's well crafted story.