Starred Review in Publishers' Weekly, 4/9/18:
"In this exquisite book, scholar of medieval studies Rolf (Julian’s Gospel) introduces medieval mystic and Christian theologian Julian of Norwich in all her astonishing brightness. The quote “all shall be well” is popular on bracelets and inspirational cards, but rarely given the context intended by its original author, Julian. Veronica Mary Rolf argues that Julian’s 16 mystical revelations (or “shewings”) from Christ should be studied alongside Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales—not least because she was the first woman to write a book (let alone a spiritual autobiography) in the English language. Rolf guides readers through the English Peasant Revolts, the Hundred Years’ War, the Great Papal Schism, and the Great Plague’s destruction of one-third of human life on Earth to establish the political and ecological collapse in which Julian prays and writes. She makes her case for why Julian was probably the daughter of a cloth merchant, educated in the public system of the time, and likely a mother and wife whose husband and child had died. Julian’s remarkable visions with Christ as mother, birthing his children, and the intricate cosmos revealed to her as a “common hazelnut” carry explosive spiritual power. Rolf plumbs Julian’s spiritual audacity in this must-read for those interested in medieval Christianity and literature."
For the complete review, see https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780830850884
"In this exquisite book, scholar of medieval studies Rolf (Julian’s Gospel) introduces medieval mystic and Christian theologian Julian of Norwich in all her astonishing brightness. The quote “all shall be well” is popular on bracelets and inspirational cards, but rarely given the context intended by its original author, Julian. Veronica Mary Rolf argues that Julian’s 16 mystical revelations (or “shewings”) from Christ should be studied alongside Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales—not least because she was the first woman to write a book (let alone a spiritual autobiography) in the English language. Rolf guides readers through the English Peasant Revolts, the Hundred Years’ War, the Great Papal Schism, and the Great Plague’s destruction of one-third of human life on Earth to establish the political and ecological collapse in which Julian prays and writes. She makes her case for why Julian was probably the daughter of a cloth merchant, educated in the public system of the time, and likely a mother and wife whose husband and child had died. Julian’s remarkable visions with Christ as mother, birthing his children, and the intricate cosmos revealed to her as a “common hazelnut” carry explosive spiritual power. Rolf plumbs Julian’s spiritual audacity in this must-read for those interested in medieval Christianity and literature."
For the complete review, see https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780830850884
Catholic San Francisco 7/12/18:
Author and scholar Veronica Mary Rolf delights in her subject, Julian of Norwich, the medieval mystic who was an anchoress enclosed for 25 years. Rolf’s just published book, “An Explorer’s Guide to Julian of Norwich,” brings us into the world of a woman who counsels us not just to love God, but “to clothe ourselves in the love of God.” Julian is deeply personal. She is both down-to-earth and mystical, and fascinating to so many. Her “Revelations of Divine Love,” written in both a Short and Long Text from the 1370s to her death in about 1416, is also the first book in English by a woman. . . .
Rolf wrote “The Guide” at the invitation of her publisher, InterVarsity Academic Press, to lead a young audience to understand Julian’s life and to put her writings in a historical and theological context. “The Guide” is also excellent for readers of every age who want to begin a companionship with Julian. . . .
Rolf focuses on how the mystical dimension can illuminate our faith, if we allow it to do so. As a longtime teacher of Christian meditation, her mission is to bring the mystical experience into our lives today through the practice of contemplative prayer. Rolf even offers a chapter on making a retreat with Julian’s “Revelations.” -- Liz Dossa, Mercy Center Retreat, Burlingame, CA
For the complete review, see: https://catholic-sf.org/news/author-provides-personal-guide-to-julian-of-norwich-medieval-mystic
Author and scholar Veronica Mary Rolf delights in her subject, Julian of Norwich, the medieval mystic who was an anchoress enclosed for 25 years. Rolf’s just published book, “An Explorer’s Guide to Julian of Norwich,” brings us into the world of a woman who counsels us not just to love God, but “to clothe ourselves in the love of God.” Julian is deeply personal. She is both down-to-earth and mystical, and fascinating to so many. Her “Revelations of Divine Love,” written in both a Short and Long Text from the 1370s to her death in about 1416, is also the first book in English by a woman. . . .
Rolf wrote “The Guide” at the invitation of her publisher, InterVarsity Academic Press, to lead a young audience to understand Julian’s life and to put her writings in a historical and theological context. “The Guide” is also excellent for readers of every age who want to begin a companionship with Julian. . . .
Rolf focuses on how the mystical dimension can illuminate our faith, if we allow it to do so. As a longtime teacher of Christian meditation, her mission is to bring the mystical experience into our lives today through the practice of contemplative prayer. Rolf even offers a chapter on making a retreat with Julian’s “Revelations.” -- Liz Dossa, Mercy Center Retreat, Burlingame, CA
For the complete review, see: https://catholic-sf.org/news/author-provides-personal-guide-to-julian-of-norwich-medieval-mystic
Magistra, Summer 2018:
Those of us who have been living with Julian's writings for a number of decades have good cause to be deeply grateful for the work of Veronica Mary Rolf (her book Julian's Gospel published by Orbis in 2013 has become a classic). An Explorer's Guide contextualizes Revelations of Divine Love succinctly yet by no means superficially. The author has a happy gift of knowing her readers' questions before they are asked; she is a trustworthy and profoundly reliable guide. She illuminates God's revelations to Julian and then digs more deeply into Julian's central themes. Her book closes with a chapter on developing a retreat centered on Julian's writings.
-- Luke Penkett, CJN, The Julian Centre, Norwich, England
Those of us who have been living with Julian's writings for a number of decades have good cause to be deeply grateful for the work of Veronica Mary Rolf (her book Julian's Gospel published by Orbis in 2013 has become a classic). An Explorer's Guide contextualizes Revelations of Divine Love succinctly yet by no means superficially. The author has a happy gift of knowing her readers' questions before they are asked; she is a trustworthy and profoundly reliable guide. She illuminates God's revelations to Julian and then digs more deeply into Julian's central themes. Her book closes with a chapter on developing a retreat centered on Julian's writings.
-- Luke Penkett, CJN, The Julian Centre, Norwich, England
Review in Reading Religion, 11/2/18:
For what Rolf has set out to do, namely, to guide the reader through the important elements of Julian's world and thought to bring to life this classic text for the lay reader, she has succeeded. The reader desiring to navigate Julian's text for the first time, to seek God's presence through it, and to engage the challenges and biggest questions of a life of faith will find in Rolf a knowledgeable, personable, inspiring and faithful guide. -- Brian Dant, Regent College, Vancouver, BC
For what Rolf has set out to do, namely, to guide the reader through the important elements of Julian's world and thought to bring to life this classic text for the lay reader, she has succeeded. The reader desiring to navigate Julian's text for the first time, to seek God's presence through it, and to engage the challenges and biggest questions of a life of faith will find in Rolf a knowledgeable, personable, inspiring and faithful guide. -- Brian Dant, Regent College, Vancouver, BC
More Reviews:
With an encyclopedic knowledge unfolded with the lightest of touches in a beautiful, soigné text, Veronica Mary Rolf enables us to travel back in time and vividly inhabit Julian’s fourteenth-century Norwich as well as her remarkable life and writings. Rolf’s guide is so brilliant that when we reluctantly return to our equally troubled twenty-first century, Julian travels with us and intimately inhabits and transforms our world and outlook. Stunning, unforgettable, and life changing.
-- Right Reverend David Wilbourne, Honorary Assistant Bishop of York, England
Rolf’s work is more than an informative guide by an expert in Julian scholarship. The reader begins to feel the heartbeat of this great mystic as the author works around key texts and highlights choice quotations. This could only have come from someone who is intimately acquainted with her. Whether one is a first-time or seasoned explorer, this book will not disappoint.
-- Simon Chan, PhD, Earnest Lau Professor of Systematic Theology and Dean of Studies at Trinity Theological College, Singapore
Veronica Mary Rolf skillfully reveals the historical significance and contemporary relevance of Julian of Norwich. In our renewed interest in the writings of Christian spirituality, Lady Julian can instruct us in the centrality of the Trinity, the nature of sin and grace, God’s providence, and suffering and prayer. Rolf serves as a wise and gentle guide to illuminate both first time and seasoned readers. This book is deeply learned and highly practical.
-- Tom Schwanda, PhD, Associate Professor of Christian Formation and Ministry at Wheaton College, Illinois
Taking on the role of tour guide, Veronica Mary Rolf leads us on an engaging, vivid, and historically rich journey with Julian of Norwich. A figure both familiar and mystifying, Julian comes into view with gentle clarity through Rolf's accessible and deeply researched voice. I highly recommend this book to spiritual seekers, retreat leaders, and scholars alike.
-- Jennifer Davidson, PhD, Associate Professor of Theology & Worship, American Baptist Seminary of the West, Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, CA
Julian of Norwich is among the most radiant of Christian mystics. The radiance is all the brighter for Julian's frankness in questioning the darkness she experienced in her culture and in herself in a deeply troubled time. The unequivocal and insatiable love of God for all his creatures rings in her words throughout her book. Veronica Mary Rolf is a scholar with a deep heart that probes the mysteries Julian probes and uses her historical and textual research to shed clarity and light on Julian's teaching that speaks to our own time with increasing urgency.
-- Andrew Marr, OSB, Abbot of St. Gregory's Abbey in Three Rivers, Michigan
Julian of Norwich is an underappreciated gem—she belongs alongside Augustine and Aquinas as one of the greatest of Christian spiritual guides. Thanks to Veronica Mary Rolf, the life and teachings of this great mystic are more accessible than ever. An Explorer’s Guide to Julian of Norwich offers a clear and insightful introduction to Julian, one of the treasures of our faith.
-- Carl McColman, author of Befriending Silence and Answering the Contemplative Call
With an encyclopedic knowledge unfolded with the lightest of touches in a beautiful, soigné text, Veronica Mary Rolf enables us to travel back in time and vividly inhabit Julian’s fourteenth-century Norwich as well as her remarkable life and writings. Rolf’s guide is so brilliant that when we reluctantly return to our equally troubled twenty-first century, Julian travels with us and intimately inhabits and transforms our world and outlook. Stunning, unforgettable, and life changing.
-- Right Reverend David Wilbourne, Honorary Assistant Bishop of York, England
Rolf’s work is more than an informative guide by an expert in Julian scholarship. The reader begins to feel the heartbeat of this great mystic as the author works around key texts and highlights choice quotations. This could only have come from someone who is intimately acquainted with her. Whether one is a first-time or seasoned explorer, this book will not disappoint.
-- Simon Chan, PhD, Earnest Lau Professor of Systematic Theology and Dean of Studies at Trinity Theological College, Singapore
Veronica Mary Rolf skillfully reveals the historical significance and contemporary relevance of Julian of Norwich. In our renewed interest in the writings of Christian spirituality, Lady Julian can instruct us in the centrality of the Trinity, the nature of sin and grace, God’s providence, and suffering and prayer. Rolf serves as a wise and gentle guide to illuminate both first time and seasoned readers. This book is deeply learned and highly practical.
-- Tom Schwanda, PhD, Associate Professor of Christian Formation and Ministry at Wheaton College, Illinois
Taking on the role of tour guide, Veronica Mary Rolf leads us on an engaging, vivid, and historically rich journey with Julian of Norwich. A figure both familiar and mystifying, Julian comes into view with gentle clarity through Rolf's accessible and deeply researched voice. I highly recommend this book to spiritual seekers, retreat leaders, and scholars alike.
-- Jennifer Davidson, PhD, Associate Professor of Theology & Worship, American Baptist Seminary of the West, Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, CA
Julian of Norwich is among the most radiant of Christian mystics. The radiance is all the brighter for Julian's frankness in questioning the darkness she experienced in her culture and in herself in a deeply troubled time. The unequivocal and insatiable love of God for all his creatures rings in her words throughout her book. Veronica Mary Rolf is a scholar with a deep heart that probes the mysteries Julian probes and uses her historical and textual research to shed clarity and light on Julian's teaching that speaks to our own time with increasing urgency.
-- Andrew Marr, OSB, Abbot of St. Gregory's Abbey in Three Rivers, Michigan
Julian of Norwich is an underappreciated gem—she belongs alongside Augustine and Aquinas as one of the greatest of Christian spiritual guides. Thanks to Veronica Mary Rolf, the life and teachings of this great mystic are more accessible than ever. An Explorer’s Guide to Julian of Norwich offers a clear and insightful introduction to Julian, one of the treasures of our faith.
-- Carl McColman, author of Befriending Silence and Answering the Contemplative Call
To order An Explorer's Guide to Julian of Norwich, please click on one of the links below.