Description
Many are familiar with Joseph Campbell's theory of the hero's journey, the idea that every man from Moses to Hercules grows to adulthood, battling his alter-ego. This book explores the universal heroine's journey as she quests through world myth. Numerous stories from cultures as varied as Scotland and Africa reveal heroines who battle for safety and identity, thereby upsetting popular notions of the passive, gentle heroine. Only after she has defeated her dark side and reintegrated can the heroine become the bestower of wisdom, the protecting queen and arch-crone.
About the Author
Valerie Estelle Frankel teaches English at Mission College and San Jose City College. The author of more than 90 popular culture books and more than 100 stories and essays, she lives in Sunnyvale, California.
Reviews
"an extremely useful primer of women in myths and legends....Frankel has done wonderful work in retrieving and retelling these stories"-Foundation: The International Review of Science Fiction; "Frankel's book is so enthusiastically written, so thoroughly researched, and so articulately argued...leaves the reader anticipating each exemplary tale, and longing for further discussion"-Mythprint; "I recommend From Girl to Goddess highly. Frankel's truly global choice of tales and her analysis of them is outstanding. It is a book to turn to for deepening one's understanding of myths and stories about women and their underlying structures"-Mythlore; "explores the heroine's journey and how it differs from the hero's by examining women's mythology from all over the world"-Livejournal.com; "gathers stories from around the world representing the heroine's journey"-Reference & Research Book News; "ever since...my first novel, I have wanted this book"-Romance Writers of America; "Frankel draws a connection between the heroines in contemporary fantasy fiction for children and young adults to the heroines from world mythology"-Children's Literature Association Quarterly.
Book Information
ISBN 9780786448319
Author Valerie Estelle Frankel
Format Paperback
Page Count 376
Imprint McFarland & Co Inc
Publisher McFarland & Co Inc
About the Author
Valerie Estelle Frankel teaches English at Mission College and San Jose City College. The author of more than 90 popular culture books and more than 100 stories and essays, she lives in Sunnyvale, California.
Reviews
"an extremely useful primer of women in myths and legends....Frankel has done wonderful work in retrieving and retelling these stories"-Foundation: The International Review of Science Fiction; "Frankel's book is so enthusiastically written, so thoroughly researched, and so articulately argued...leaves the reader anticipating each exemplary tale, and longing for further discussion"-Mythprint; "I recommend From Girl to Goddess highly. Frankel's truly global choice of tales and her analysis of them is outstanding. It is a book to turn to for deepening one's understanding of myths and stories about women and their underlying structures"-Mythlore; "explores the heroine's journey and how it differs from the hero's by examining women's mythology from all over the world"-Livejournal.com; "gathers stories from around the world representing the heroine's journey"-Reference & Research Book News; "ever since...my first novel, I have wanted this book"-Romance Writers of America; "Frankel draws a connection between the heroines in contemporary fantasy fiction for children and young adults to the heroines from world mythology"-Children's Literature Association Quarterly.
Book Information
ISBN 9780786448319
Author Valerie Estelle Frankel
Format Paperback
Page Count 376
Imprint McFarland & Co Inc
Publisher McFarland & Co Inc
