The Journal of Hildegard of Bingen: A Novel

By Barbara Lachman

Book Overview

Hildegard of Bingen is everyone's secret passion these days. Here is a tumultuous year in the life of the great twelfth-century Benedictine abbess, mystic, composer, healer, writer, and advocate of women's full participation in the life of the spirit. Considered a saint in Germany, Hildegard left us three books of her visions in which she often saw the creation as a living, pulsing being, 77 liturgical songs, the first morality play, a book on the healing arts, a catalog of the flora of her native Rhineland, and a wealth of correspondence with monarchs, several popes, and clergy at all levels of society. In conveying the full breadth of Hildegard's inner and outer experience, Barbara Lachman has created a document that rings with truth about this singular woman and her world. Rarely does a literary work succeed as well in letting readers see the world through such illuminated eyes.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0517883902
• ISBN13: 9780517883907
• Release Date: March 1995
• Publisher: Harmony/Bell Tower
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.52 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.5" x 0.5" x 5.8"

Customer Reviews

The reality of a saint

At first blush, this book is a difficult read. The inclusion of commentary by the author had you jumping across the page. After adjusting to this style, you start seeing the real Hildegard. There is much to learn from these writings, the pains, trials and thoughts help to realize the difficulty of Hildegard's path. This seems to be a common message as you look at the lives of all the saints and martyrs of the early church. Nothing worthwhile comes easy. I would reccomend getting this book!