Joanna Southcott was a Devon woman working as a servant and upholsterer who started hearing voices and became a prophetess. She recruited followers, issuing 'seals' and publishing books. Eventually, on Christmas Day 1814, at the age of 64, she claimed to give birth to the Shiloh, a sort of Messiah, dying two days later. She is mostly remembered nowadays for her sealed box, supposedly containing prophecies, which must be opened in order to usher in the Millennium.
A replica of Joanna Southcott's box.
This biography is certainly comprehensive. It chronicles all the arguments, the lawsuits, the ups and downs and ins and outs of Joanna's life. I found it very difficult to follow. For example, the information about the seals is scattered and it was difficult for me to ascertain when they were first issued, what they meant to the receiver, how they were supposed to be used etc. The information about the Duke Street chapel also seemed to be dropped in little bits, here and there, presumably because the material was chronologically arranged. Equally, I never felt I understood the importance of Richard Brothers, nor the man Joanna eventually married who seemed to pop up out of nowhere. There was so much detail! I think I found it difficult to see the wood for the trees.
This is one of those biographies that might be useful for the scholar but it wasn't a fun read for the generalist.
December 2022; 305 pages
No comments:
Post a Comment