Princeton University Press Julian of Norwich's Showings: From Vision to Book: 288 (Princeton Legacy Library)

Review "[An] innovative and comprehensive discussion of Julian of Norwich's growth from visionary to mystical theologian. . . . Baker's own prose, like the shape of her argument, takes its cue from Julian: modest and succinct, Baker's lucid writing is intellectually rigorous and quietly appreciative of both subject and audience."---Denise L. Despres, Speculum "[A] detailed . . . analysis of both the short and long forms of the mystic Julian of Norwich's Showings. . . . offers the general reader thoughtful insights into both the Showings and its milieu."-- "Publishers Weekly" "[Baker's argument] is clear, concise, and convincing. . . . [She] has written a sensitive and balanced study, which will now become required reading for anyone interested in Julian."---Karl Tamburr, Review of English Studies "An important contribution to the study of women's intellectual achievements and to the history of the body; students of medieval theology will quarry its rich insight into Julian's Showings, a work of uncommon literary force and of enduring theological significance."---Anna Harrison, Crisis "Baker guides her reader . . . through the intricacies of medieval devotional culture and theology; every point is made very thoroughly. . . . The rigor of this historical assessment is impressive."---Julian Gibbs, The [London] Times "Baker has more than succeeded in coming to terms with the nature and magnitude of Julian's achievement. Her book is worthy of its subject."---Christina von Nolcken, Modern Philology "Baker's book offers one of the fullest accounts so far of the theological genealogy and implications of Julian's Showings."---Karma Lochrie, American Historical Review "Baker's study traces the 14th century's first English woman of letters from a visionary to a theologian. . . . [Her] work will provide students and scholars a serious study of this important woman theologian."-- "Choice" "In this, the first major assessment of her significance as a visionary and theologian, Denise Nowakowski Baker places Julian in her 14th-century context. . . . the rigour of this historical assessment is impressive."---Julian Gibbs, The Times "This is one of the most sensible and sensitive discussions of the showings of Julian of Norwich yet to appear in book form. . . . is grounded in a clear account of the evolution and development of Julian's theological and visionary understanding in the intellectual and devotional context of her time. . . . [I]t offers a reliable, thoughtful and challenging reading of the text which will cause any reader of Julian to return to the text with new questions and fresh perceptions."---Vincent Gillespie, Aevum Product Description The first woman known to have written in English, the fourteenth-century mystic Julian of Norwich has inspired generations of Christians with her reflections on the "motherhood" of Jesus, and her assurance that, despite evil, "all shall be well." In this book, Denise Baker reconsiders Julian not only as an eloquent and profound visionary but also as an evolving, sophisticated theologian of great originality. Focusing on Julian's Book of Showings, in which the author records a series of revelations she received during a critical illness in May 1373, Baker provides the first historical assessment of Julian's significance as a writer and thinker. Inscribing her visionary experience in the short version of her Showings, Julian contemplated the revelations for two decades before she achieved the understanding that enabled her to complete the long text. Baker first traces the genesis of Julian's visionary experience to the practice of affective piety, such as meditations on the life of Christ and, in the arts, a depiction of a suffering rather than triumphant Christ on the cross. Julian's innovations become apparent in the long text. By combining late medieval theology of salvation with the mystics' teachings on the nature of humankind, she arrives at compassionate, optimistic, and liberat