My book review of 'For thy great pain have mercy on my little pain' by Victoria Mackenzie

by Victoria Mackenzie

It's 1413, a time of war and plague, when women don't read or write and when hearing from God will see you burnt alive. It's a time when two extraordinary women meet, in Norwich.

Margery has left her fourteen children and husband. Her visions of Christ have alienated her from her family and neighbours and placed her in danger with the men of the Church, who have begun to hound her as a heretic.

Julian is an anchoress who hasn't left her cell in Norwich for twenty-­three years. She hasn't told anyone about her visions.

The two women have much to tell each other, and their meeting will change everything...

'The Book of Margery Kempe' is the first autobiography written in English, by a man or a woman.

'Revelations of Divine Love' by Julian of Norwich is the earliest surviving book in English written by a woman.

Told in alternating short passages, the two women tell us their stories. They're vivid and compelling, atmospheric and engaging. Amazing. Read it! 

Date of this review: August 2023
Book publication date: 19th January 2023