I, Julian: The fictional autobiography of Julian of Norwich

I, Julian by Claire Gilbert is a great historical fiction that is the fictional autobiography of Julian of Norwich. Just fascinating.

This is such a creative and well-crafted novel, and even though it is fiction, the author has created something so real, that it feels truly authentic and genuine, as if the woman herself actually penned it.

Julian of Norwich lived in England during the Middle Ages and was the first known woman’s writings that have been discovered and still exist today, Revelations of Divine Love. She was an anchoress, mystic, a theologian, amongst many other things. Reading this novel has already peaked my curiosity and I have been researching so as to learn more about this fascinating historical figure.

I am so glad that I read this book so that I can find out and learn more about her.

4.5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Hodder Faith/ John Murray for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 8/15/23.

Beautiful book! If you are interested in Christianity of the Middle Ages or the Christian Mystics, I highly recommend this book for you! Filled with well-researched-details about daily life for women in the 1300 in England, “I, Julian,” brings mystic Julian of Norwich to life. While I was expecting a “Catherine, Called Birdy,” type text and thus struggled to engage with the beginning, by the time I hit about 15% (read on my tablet), I was throughly engrossed. Julian faces trials and tragedies with relatable questions and doubts, developing the forbearance to take on an anchorite. She is lively and down to earth, and her spiritual journey inspired me in my own walk in faith. A fantastic blend of religious, historical, and personal, “I, Julian” was one of my favorite books so far this year!

What a beautiful book this is. The author has cleverly crafted an account of the life of Julian of Norwich that reads as though Julian had written it herself. It’s a totally believable combination of truth and fiction centred around Julian’s book Revelations of Divine Love. It depicts her life as an anchoress coupled with the known history of the period. I truly couldn’t put it down!

This book was utterly beautiful. I had some knowledge of Julian of Norwich prior to reading the book, but this "fictional autobiography" really brought this historical character to life. A mystic of the 1300’s, Julian's teachings were often contrary to popular teachings of the church at the time. She rejects the idea of the plague being a sign of God's wrath, and begins to see God in his love, looking on her and all his creation with utmost compassion and love. She sees in God/Christ the love of a mother, the companionship of a brother, and finds love instead of condemnation. Her story is beautifully told, with a timeline at the end which the author uses to differentiate between what we KNOW of Julian, and what parts have been filled in to flesh out the story. What remains completely true is Julian's message!

I received an ARC from #netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is a beautifully written book about the life of Julian of Norwich. The author states that it is fiction but it felt like I was reading Julian's own words. It is a wonderful look at an important, influential woman who lived so very long ago.

Such a well written fictional book that comes across as a true non fiction story. It has ben so well written and the author has obviously done a lot of research into both this period of time as well as gathering information on Julian as well.

I, Julian is a fictional autobiography of Julian of Norwich, the author of the first known work in English written by a woman, Revelations of Divine Love. Claire Gilbert's novel is beautifully written and draws the reader into Julian's life, the pain of the many losses she experiences, and also the joy of family and friendships, and her exchanges of views with her fellow religious, both male and female, and the solace, enlightenment, and challenges she experiences when she becomes an anchoress. Even once she retreats from the world, the turmoil of the fourteenth century rages outside the window of her cell and touches her life. I found this book unexpectedly compelling and wonderfully well written and would recommend it to anyone who has even a vague interest in medieval England and the lives of women at the time. I suspect, like me, you'll find yourself drawn in to Julian's world.

The book Revelations of Divine Love speaks of holy visions seen by a woman in 1373, and attributed to Julian of Norwich, an anchoress living in the anchor cell of St. Julian’s church in Norwich between 1379 and 1416. This is the inspiration for Claire Gilbert’s fictional account of Julian’s life, in the early years of which are four periods of great pestilence. The third, in particular, targets young men and children, which impacts Julian’s life directly. She sees this as God wielding wrath and punishment on the population for human frailty and sin but is shown something different in her visions. The novel sheds new light on the story of creation, Adam’s fall and original sin, as God reveals to her that he is never wrath, but only pure love.
Gilbert’s novel is a deeply poignant account of Julian’s faith, her contrition, her doubts, and her struggles, many of which lead her to believe she is unworthy of God’s love. The diary-like story is accounted by her to her confessor, Thomas Edmund, and relates much about the life and times of the merchant-class, the Peasant’s Revolt, Wycliffe’s writings and the Lollards, and the rise of religious persecution. Even in the anchor cell Julian is never free from danger.
This extraordinary literary work gets deep inside Julian’s and the reader’s head, as though the author were able to speak to Julian herself, through the seven centuries separating our world from hers. Highly recommended.

Anyone who has even a passing interest in fourteenth century medieval England or who has been moved by Julian’s profound belief that, ‘All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.' should take a copy of ‘I, Julian’ and settle down to be educated, moved and perhaps even changed by this intelligent, sensitive portrayal of an extraordinary woman.
And if the subject matter would not normally appeal, I’d still urge you to read this fictional autobiography. Based on fastidious historical research, Claire Gilbert gives us the life of a woman struggling to find out who she is and what God is calling her to become. Over time, Julian learns that her God is not the harsh, vengeful power that she has grown up to fear but an all-loving, compassionate presence. Beautifully told, her voice comes through loud and clear.
My thanks to NetGalley and John Murray for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.

The role of women in Medieval England has often been overlooked. There were Queen consorts much more powerful than the Kings they had married. There were also many strong women who devoted their lives to the worship of God and helping the poor.
The story of Julian of Norwich is a tale of tragedy, loss, grief, endurance, accomplishment and epiphany. I ached with emotion as I read. The rich details of Julian's fight for survival and acceptance are hypnotic and astonishing. Through her eyes I was reminded of the Black Death, Henry le Despenser and the unfortunate Wat Tyler. Moments in history lived again but it was tender moments like her adoption of Gyb the cat that spoke loudest to me and when she questioned her faith I questioned my own.
Unforgettable!