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The Book of Margery Kempe by John Skinner at Abbey's Bookshop,
The Book of Margery Kempe
— —
John Skinner John Skinner

The Book of Margery Kempe

John Skinner,  John Skinner

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English
Bantam Doubleday Dell
15 August 2014
Christian mysticism
Though a familiar name, little was known about the English mystic Margery Kempe (c. 1373-c. 1440) for hundreds of years except that she had an association with the great Julian of Norwich. This all changed in 1934 with the discovery of The Book of Margery Kempe in a library where it had lain hidden for four hundred years. Finding Margery's own story was important not just because of the light it shed on her life, but it also turned out to be the first known autobiography in the English language. Even more intriguing to the experts of the day, this unique document was written by a woman.

But if anyone had expected to find her anything like her cloistered contemporary, Julian, they were in for something of a surprise. Far from being a typical holy woman, Margery Kempe was married and mother of fourteen children. Moreover, she had been a woman of substance, even running a large brewery for a time. After turning to religion, she traveled thousands of miles around the known world on pilgrimages to distant lands.

Beyond the circumstances of her life, what's most compelling about the text is the inner Margery that emerges. Her account of spiritual awakening, far from being a blissful episode is instead full of conflict and recrimination. What good was this new way of life if it caused her such trouble? Was this really the only way to lead a holy life? Margery remained unsure of the answers. But her patience in her struggle is a wonder to behold, and an example for us today.
By:  
Translated by:  
Imprint:   Bantam Doubleday Dell
Country of Publication:   United States
Edition:   New edition
Dimensions:   Height: 216mm,  Width: 140mm,  Spine: 17mm
Weight:   411g
ISBN:   9780385490375
ISBN 10:   0385490372
Pages:   352
Publication Date:  
Audience:   General/trade ,  ELT Advanced
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active

John Skinner began his career as a Jesuit. Leaving before ordination, he then became a journalist with The Times (London) before setting up his own children's bookselling company. He now writes full-time, specialising in the English mystics and in translating the spiritual classics across the centuries. His works include Julian of Norwich's Revelation of Love and The Confession of Saint Patrick, both of which have recently been published by Image Books. He lives with his wife, Judith, in Devon, England, where he is at work on a forthcoming collection of monastic writings.

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