Our Shared Shelf discussion

I thought i'd get the conversation about this book started :)
So has anyone read this book before? if so what did you think of it? will you be re-reading it again for OSS?

I have! It's dense- but in a good way as it's chock full of nuance. I recommend starting as early as possible because you just want to chew on some passages- really explore the author's meaning and how it effects your life as well as your goals.

Grab a highlighter or tabs too because you will want to come back at various points in your life to reread passages.

And yes, I will be rereading it for OSS.

I have too it is very interesting I shall be reading it again was not a feminist when I first read first time it shall be interesting to compare my impressions.

It's another excellent choice and contrast to the last selection. I would love to know how Emma selects them.

Ross wrote: "It's another excellent choice and contrast to the last selection. I would love to know how Emma selects them."

She attaches 20 book selections to a dart board and then throws the dart and see's where it lands ;-)
Okay maybe not...

Anyway, I haven't read it before, but Pam you make it sound very interesting, so i'm looking forward to it :)

I haven't read it so far, too. And I totally agree with you, Jo, Pam's description makes it even more 'worth reading'. Ordered it right away, so it might arrive tomorrow! I chose to read it in English, although my native language is German. In my experience the German translations can't keep up with 'the originals'. Some reviews about the book confirmed that.
I made it a habit to always read with a highlighter next to me ;) Thanks for the tips, anyway!

Jo wrote: "20 book selection to a dart board"

Rather like that theory got some great books : - )

this is a fascinating book and very entertaining.

Never heard of it ! excited to start reading!

I read this book when I was 15 years old. My mother bought it for me and I remember loving it a lot. I carried it around with me all the time. I can't remember much of it though and I am excited to read it again. I am curious if I recall the thoughts I had about it when I was 15 and how it will be different 12 years later.

I read this book after my mum gave it to me (she read it for her degree years ago) and at the time I found some parts difficult to understand, but it is an amazing book and it's so interesting. The exploration into the inner wildness that we all have speaks of more primitive times and I loved how it talked about women's inherent strength. I thought it was great and well worth the read!

Sandra wrote: "I haven't read it so far, too. And I totally agree with you, Jo, Pam's description makes it even more 'worth reading'. Ordered it right away, so it might arrive tomorrow! I chose to read it in Engl..."

I can only say the same, translations are really bad at times. And I LOVE English!

I have not read the book before. I am reading the book in Spanish. So far I have read the introduction and it's not the type of book I would read. But the book sounds interesting and I am looking forward to reading the book.

I have not read it. This is not the type of book I would have picked on my own and the size is a little intimidating. That being said I'm excited to get out of my comfort zone and everyone's comments about how great it is is also making me look forward to it even more

Pam wrote: "Grab a highlighter or tabs too..."

I found the book at a local Half Price Books store and started it about a half hour ago. I can tell this suggestion will be quite useful! I've not read this one before, nor is it something I would typically pick up, but so far I'm finding it intriguing.

I read it many years ago when it first came out. I remember that I liked it very much in general, although there were some sections that were a bit of a slog. I think I read it around the same time I read Joseph Campbell's "The Power of Myth." They were a good pairing!

I'm deciding whether to read this again. I do remember that the author is a powerful storyteller; at some point, I had some cassettes of her telling stories that were wonderful.

I'm hoping someone can help me out! I went on amazon to buy this book after seeing emma post a photo of her holding it! But she was holding the copy that was titled, "contacting the power of the wild woman" but there is also a copy called "myths and stories of the wild woman archetype". are they the same? I can only see the back from amazon and they look slightly different! Which one should we be reading if they're different? Thanks in advance, excited to read it!

I personally love Jung. With all my heart. I wish people develops a interest about him. Is pretty deep and if people likes i would like to debate it with everyone.. If everyone enjoys it alot for sure! I live often on some Jung forums.

Perhaps i do not have read this book. I know about it because of research about Women Issues through psychology view. Also with alot of interest to read him on the next months if possible. Quite sure an interesting book that can give answers for the life issues.

I haven't read it before but have been interested in reading it for such a long time. All your comments have my interest even more piqued.

I have a notebook, highlighters and coffee to hand and am ready to dive into it this afternoon.

Taylor wrote: "I'm hoping someone can help me out! I went on amazon to buy this book after seeing emma post a photo of her holding it! But she was holding the copy that was titled, "contacting the power of the wi..."

Oooh, this is an interesting question. I didn't realise there might be two editions. My copy has the title 'Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype'. Goodreads has them listed as the same book.

They're the same book! Sometimes books are rebranded a bit from US to U.K. and vice versa. :-)

Ah, I have had the pleasure (and the pain!) of reading this book before... I think that it's amazing and that it holds such incredible wisdom and insight on many issues - the self, relationships, addiction, seeking the truth, coping with anger, forgiveness, the life/death/life cycle, finding one's pack... I look forward to reading it again, as it's the sort of book which you can return to again and again, and learn something new each time or gain a better understanding and clarity about certain topics.

Initially though, it was a real struggle for me to read. I stopped multiple times, due to the amount of pain and grief it brought up. I'm not ashamed to say that I cried many times while reading it. I’m really grateful that I managed to get through it, as it has made me wiser, stronger, more self-aware, more mature (mentally, emotionally and spiritually) and more resilient. It helped me to learn what "home" is, what healthy relationships should be like and made me more conscious of what my needs are.

It has helped me immensely with my healing and growth process. Reading this book changed my perspectives and my life, and I'm so glad that this was picked and is now able to have a positive impact on so many more people! I strongly believe that everyone - not just women - could really benefit and learn a lot from reading this deep and beautiful book. :)

I've been meaning to join this group for some time. I finally did so yesterday because I saw that you are planning to read this book. I read it years ago when I was teaching Women's Studies. I recommended it to all my friends and students. I absolutely loved it and have been meaning to re-read it. I'm looking forward to immersing myself in it again and to participating in the discussions.

Leanne wrote: "They're the same book! Sometimes books are rebranded a bit from US to U.K. and vice versa. :-)"
Thanks! I appreciate your help!

As I mentioned elsewhere, I read it back in 2008 as a new mother. I don't know if it would have affected me so viscerally under different circumstances. As it is, I come back to it every summer, sometimes cover to cover, sometimes the stories only. There's always some new insight to find. I'll be happy to bring my annual reading forward a couple of months for the occasion.

I'm so sorry to ask for help here, but i recently joined and I can't figure out why I'm not seeing titles of books previously read. In this post I see all the comments, but no book title. Am I doing something wrong?

-M

Not really, but I'm liking it so far!

I started it before but had to stop because it was too "new age" for me and the sheer volume of unsubstantiated claims was driving me nuts.

I read this book when it was first published in the '90s. I remember it being somewhat dense and slow. However, I recognize that I was young enough maybe to not have appreciated it. I am looking forward to reading it again and hopefully having a better experience.

I read this book about a year ago and boy, did it take me forever. I can't say I enjoyed it, and I felt the author repeated herself, and the same view, a lot throughout the book. It didn't hold my interest and I almost didn't bother finishing it (the fact that I have never in my life not finished a book I started was. literally the only reason why I managed to finish it).

I haven't read it, but I'm glad I got it early from the library based off this thread. I'm now wondering if I should return the book and order my own copy and get reading with my page tabs.

Amy, I borrowed it from my local library too and I'm wishing I bought it so I could put reference tabs in it for later.

Linda wrote: "I'm deciding whether to read this again. I do remember that the author is a powerful storyteller; at some point, I had some cassettes of her telling stories that were wonderful."

I'm reading it now. For while i've enjoyed. But the PDF (On PT-BR) - i've checked, to me can be the real book. The start to me was amazing.. and is a well written book to me. The book is important from the first word written until the last one per chapter to be able to understand (My opinion) the book.

Tomorrow i want to start it on the first Chapter. But... i've touched some pages forward.. - a bit curious - and had cool and amazing stories.

And is a easier one.. we just need to have the "Spirit". And got scared about a chapter also.. it gaves the... feeling. The stories must be like - description and induction.. i felt what the story really wanted to tell about.. really. Was nice... to me for while.

I'm reading. And i suggest people firstly to find the PDF lost on the internet.

She is really a powerful storyteller.. for while as i can see. Really.

Anderson wrote: "Linda wrote: "I'm deciding whether to read this again. I do remember that the author is a powerful storyteller; at some point, I had some cassettes of her telling stories that were wonderful."

I'm..."

Same for me. Started the book yesterday and I really liked it. Today I'm going to read Chapter 1.
The way she explained Wild Woman was - in my opinion - comprehensible and multilayered, so that everyone can 'build' her own Wild Woman. Very promising book so far. Already gave me a lot to think about.

Sandra wrote: "Same for me. Started the book yesterday and I really liked it. Today I'm going to read Chapter 1.
The way she explained Wild Woman was - in my opinion - comprehensible and multilayered, so that everyone can 'build' her own Wild Woman. Very promising book so far. Already gave me a lot to think about.."

The reading can be wild/ freely.. If we dont understand one concept do not get stuck just try to bring a meaning on the context of the story or book (Or your own).

I think with no parameters as - example - laws of nature on physics means law of gravity that rules the universe.

Dream on psychology can means life on a context not dreams itself - as psychology is merged on dreams. Can mean ideas of a relationship - on this context..

But we can still reading until we build up a nice one understood about the book. :)

Perhaps i forgot the common sense on the concept of laws of nature. Today will be always gravity.

This is my all time favorite book!

i read this book years before, and actually have it. i'm thrilled to read it again and get in on the discussion.

I got the book this morning and have read about 50 pages. I found the concept of La Lupa interesting but so far the part that has really spoken to me is the Bluebeard chapter about romanticising the predator and how we are set up to do this from an early age. This is a definitely a pattern I have repeated, I'm sure I am not alone in that. Looking forward to the rest of the chapter and her insights on breaking the cycle.

I read this book on my late twenties, now that I'm getting to my forties can't wait to read with a more "mature" eye.

I just started this book and I love it!

Just bought this book from amazon. Will start reading today!

Taylor wrote: "I'm hoping someone can help me out! I went on amazon to buy this book after seeing emma post a photo of her holding it! But she was holding the copy that was titled, "contacting the power of the wi..."

Emma is holding the UK edition. The black and gold cover with the gold wolf and woman is the English USA edition. The Ebook is black and gold with the little pregnant wolf in the box on the front cover.

I have been reading and re-reading it for many years now. It always feels relevant "now" more than ever before. I would say this again, today.

The meaning of the stories deepen as we walk through our lives individually and as a culture -- laying the details down next to the stories and seeing how they fit. Bluebeard and Vasalisa have taken on new depth for me again as we see the USA treading through unfamiliar waters, that become in someways less untravelled when the old stories are brought out to examine and to gain directions.

If you keep in mind she is cantadora it help explain her sometimes wordy style. The mind likes to hear things repeated in different ways so while you are reading it may seem tedious or redundant if one were to listen to it, it is pleasant and altogether different experience. An example would be Dr. Seuss one fish two fish red fish blue fish. All adults are tired of reading it but children never tire of hearing it.

I've had a copy of this since I was in my late teens and I've re-read it so many times it fell apart and I had to buy a new one. I've gifted it to several friends too, and my mother. It's my touchstone; I come back to it whenever I'm going through a tough phase of my life and it always seems to fall open at the chapter I need the most at that time.

Kipahni wrote: "If you keep in mind she is cantadora it help explain her sometimes wordy style. The mind likes to hear things repeated in different ways so while you are reading it may seem tedious or redundant if.."

Great point Kipahni!

Sharon wrote: "I've had a copy of this since I was in my late teens and I've re-read it so many times it fell apart and I had to buy a new one. I've gifted it to several friends too, and my mother. It's my touchs..."

falls open to the chapter you need at the time - i love how the magic works like that!

Kipahni wrote: "If you keep in mind she is cantadora it help explain her sometimes wordy style. The mind likes to hear things repeated in different ways so while you are reading it may seem tedious or redundant if..."

This is perfect, thank you! I had thought about reading different ways, because I myself don't find it that repetitive. But I didn't think about her being a cantadora. I think that's absolutely the reason... I do love some of the poetry she puts in here and how she weaves different ideas together.

just ordered the book! I only recently found this group and am very excited! I actually never really had considered myself a feminist until I saw this speech Emma Watson did, I saw it on international women's day. how ironic. glad to be here though and really excited to get this book and read it!

Kristin wrote: "just ordered the book! I only recently found this group and am very excited! I actually never really had considered myself a feminist until I saw this speech Emma Watson did, I saw it on internatio..."

Just out of curiosity, which speech did you see? Her UN speech or another one? There are so many:)

Emma wrote: "Jeremy wrote: "I started it before but had to stop because it was too "new age" for me and the sheer volume of unsubstantiated claims was driving me nuts."

What do you mean by "new age"? I am curi..."

I'm late to the game here, but I'm curious too! I've seen this written a few times around in discussion threads here, and I'm confused what people are intending when they say this. I'd like to better understand some people's resistance to this book, because I have found it to be deeply transformative and truthful, albeit dense.

I have actually read it a few times! In my opinion it's magical, it really opened something in me, made me think of the woman I am.
I have some underlined quotes and sometimes I go back to read those. I feel everywomen should read this.
It's amazing!