Part myth, part lecture, and part self-help book, this work seeks to wear many hats. The book is more successful in some areas than others, however, and left me with a few nagging concerns that kept me from truly enjoying the book.
Pros, broadly articulated:
I found this book to be most enjoyable when the author was sharing the various stories of women through myriad cultures and time periods. Truth be told, this is why I purchased the book, and what I was most excited to hear. Estes is a capable storyteller, and the book certainly does not disappoint on this front. The book also has, for lack of a better term, a “self-help,” component. Though the author gives few direct prescriptions, she does talk about how to be a wild woman, i.e. how to live authentically, and how to address the traumas, disappointments, and “cages,” of one’s life.
Cons, broadly articulated:
If the book is at its strongest when Estes is telling stories, it is at its weakest when she is analyzing them. It’s not that I necessarily disagree with her analyses, but the audiobook felt incredibly pedantic at times. To be fair, Estes does say there are many ways to interpret these myths and legends, but some of the interpretations seem to stretch credulity (the little match girl comes to mind). Beyond that, I have some niggling thoughts about how gender fluidity and transgender identities fit into the framework that the author provides. I would NOT call this book transphobic by any stretch, but I can’t help but wonder how the author would respond.
Conclusion:
What works about this book is genuinely great, and I am happy to have it as a part of my personal library. There are some issues that kept it from really wowing me. While I recognize, appreciate, and even laud Estes for all the ways she speaks truth to power, this book couldn’t quite give me what I was hoping for. With that said, and especially in consideration of its less than 2 hour run time, I still think this book is worth a listen.
Check it out here.
You may also enjoy…
- “Carry On, Warrior,” by Glennon Doyle Melton
- “The Tao of Pooh,” by Benjamin Hoff
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