Ann the Word - Hardcover

Richard Francis is currently lecturer in American literature at Manchester University where he is also the deviser and convener of an MA in Novel Writing. He is a playwright, reviewer and novelist, having published 'Taking Apart the Poco Poco' and 'Fat Hen' .

'It is one of those books tht is utterly interesting for it's own sake' Jeanette Winterson 'A challenging reconstruction of a remote prophetic world' Evening Standard 'Scrupulously researched and deftly constructed.' City Life 'The first freestanding biography of the most powerful low-born religious woman since Joan of Arc. The Shakers were way different in Ann's day. They hung their chairs on the wall to create space for their dervish-like whirling, accompanied by raucous songs, shouting in tongues, calling out devils, falling down in ecstasy. Ann Lee was a holy terror.' Sunday Times 'The first biography of Ann Lee, the remarkable woman who led a tiny band of followers to America and founded a religious movement. Ann Lee's commonplace exterior belied her charisma and intuition. Despite beatings, incarceration and accusations of witchcraft, heresy and spying, she formed around herself a coherent, devoted group of converts ... Richard Francis has created a compelling image of this shadowy, shining woman and the God-fearing, God-obsessed world in which she lived.' Observer 'Ann Lee's transformation from illiterate Mancunian blacksmith's daughter to sovereign pontiff of a thriving New England sect is one of the more bizarre and fascinating byways of Anglo-American history. These heady days of Shakerism are unlikely to be better depicted than in this book, with its meticulously researched account of this heroic, indomitable, mesmerising, chastity-obsessed, and ultimately rather ghastly woman.' Sunday Telegraph 'Entertaining and absorbing. If you put it in the guest bathroom I guarantee long absences at dinner.' Jeanette Winterson, The Times