Rolf brings the reader into some of the more complex components of Julian's theological reflection. For instance, she explores the work of three contemporary scholars to defend the plausibility of her thesis that Julian was of little social status, living as a married lay woman with children before her time as an anchoress, rather than a Benedictine nun or an aristocrat woman. Overall, Rolf does a nice job of giving a basic and helpful level of detail, with pointers for those looking for deeper research. The readership of this text will benefit from a confidence in Rolf's several years of study in preparation for her first book, Julian’s Gospel: Illuminating the Life & Revelations of Julian of Norwich (Orbis Books, 2013). However, this book is no mere sentimentality or trite “spiritual” writing, which one might be wary of in reading an introductory-level “explorers” guide rather, this is Veronica Mary Rolf's short version of her longer scholarly work, condensed and simplified to guide the lay reader. This book is introductory, intended for the newcomer to Julian, and for those seeking growth in the life of faith through dialogue with a distant but relevant woman. Rolf then gives the reader deeper reflection upon Julian's spiritual and theological themes before finishing by offering a template for a spiritual retreat based on Julian’s texts. Here, critical and historical reflection are combined with direct spiritual guidance for the reader. Rolf moves on to navigate the key components of Julian's text in “Part Two: Exploring the Revelations of Divine Love.” She exhibits large chunks of her translation of Julian's revelations and draws out key themes for the reader. Rolf wants the prayerful reading of Julian's text to be vivified by Julian's historical reality. Rolf's desire is to guide the lay reader through Julian's world, which begins in “Part One: Getting to Know Julian of Norwich.” Rolf presents various aspects about Julian's context, including what it would mean to be an even christian, the likely family scenario in which Julian lived, details about the challenges of living during a plague (down to the three forms of plague and their symptoms), and even the dimensions and architecture of Julian's anchorite cell.
The hope, faith, and courage that Julian evinces in her long and short text of “shewings” have been a source of strength for Rolf, who now seeks to make Julian available in this way to a wider audience.
In our time of growing anxiety over political strife, war, natural disaster, and fragmenting societies, Veronica Mary Rolf sees a resonance with the spiritual challenges faced by Julian of Norwich, who lived through plague, papal schism, the Hundred Year's War, and peasant revolts.
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