Revelations of Divine Love by Julian of Norwich

Originally recorded in 1993, now remastered and reissued on a 67-minute CD, this is the late Sister Wendy Beckett’s exquisite reading of highlights from Dame Julian of Norwich’s Christian classic Revelations of Divine Love.Sister Wendy’s characteristically sensitive delivery enhances the sensitive modern translation. As she said at the time of recording: "When I was at Oxford, I studied Julian in the original, and it made a great impression on me. My copy was a very small leather-bound book, and it had the lovely smell of sandalwood that old books sometimes have. Julian is forever associated in my mind with the smell of sandalwood, and I hope that a sandalwood smell comes across in this recording!"

"What better voice to give voice to so great a witness to Christian womanhood than Sister Wendy Beckett? Not only does the reputation of the wonderful nun speak for itself, she herself can now be heard speaking for Mother Julian speaking for Christ. In a wonderful old recording recently remastered and released one has the feeling that only a similar spirit could have delivered such beautiful words with such clarity and simplicity. Moreover, there's a warmth born of deep affection in every syllable. With headphones it has an almost hypnotic, nay, therapeutic feel. Someone remarked that it's almost like Sr Wendy's still with us. Dear God! Have we learnt nothing? Still, a cuppa, a few seasonal hazelnuts, and another listen - and all will be well." Adrian Conway, Beauty Born Anew

Sister Wendy Beckett was a British religious sister and art historian who became well known internationally during the 1990s when she presented a series of BBC television documentaries on the history of art. Her programs, such as Sister Wendy's Odyssey and Sister Wendy's Grand Tour, often drew a 25 percent share of the British viewing audience. In 1997, Sister Wendy made her US debut on public television, and that same year, The New York Times described her as "a sometime hermit who is fast on her way to becoming the most unlikely and famous art critic in the history of television". Julian of Norwich (1343-after 1416), also known as Dame Julian or Mother Julian, was an English anchorite of the Middle Ages. Revelations of Divine Love is the first written in English book by a woman.