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Wise Women

Myths and stories for midlife and beyond - 'Extra­ordinary . . . beautifully and vividly retold stories' TLS

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Wise Women

By: Sharon Blackie, Angharad Wynne
Narrated by: Kristin Atherton, Sharon Blackie
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An unforgettable collection of retold myths and folk tales, celebrating the wisdom and power of women in midlife and beyond, from the award-winning author of Hagitude

'An extra­ordinary selection of stories ... beautifully and vividly retold' TLS
'Genius' Irish Times
'Treasure it!' Shahrukh Husain
'Wonderful' Victoria Smith
'The book I've been longing for' Jill Dawson
'Thrilling' Stella Duffy

This dazzling array of not-to-be-messed-with characters from a lost tradition of European myth and folklore - from ungainly giantesses and sequin-strewn fairy godmothers to misunderstood witches and craggy crones - provides inspiration for how women can walk boldly and live authentically in the second half of life.

'Features an exuberant cast ... The collection is precious, because it's the first time that these rare, patriarchy-surviving remnants of powerful elder female folk stories have been deliberately anthologised' Irish Times
'A fascinating collection of female myths and legends' Sara Sheridan
'I adored Wise Women' Eleanor Mills, author of Much More to Come: Lessons on the mayhem and magnificence of midlife
'Wondrously wise, clever and insightful as well as slyly funny' AG Slatter, author of The Briar Book of the Dead©2024 Sharon Blackie Adulthood & Aging Developmental Psychology Fantasy Gender Studies Literary History & Criticism Other Religions, Practices & Sacred Texts Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Social Sciences Magic Witchcraft Mythology Royalty Magic Users
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Critic reviews

An extra­ordinary selection of stories ... beautifully and vividly retold, elaborating the bare-bones structures of folk tales into delightful literary short stories that will be enjoyed by a wider readership than the wise older women for whom the book is intended
Features an exuberant cast ... The collection is precious, because it's the first time that these rare, patriarchy-surviving remnants of powerful elder female folk stories have been deliberately anthologised ... Genius
A fascinating collection of female myths and legends that read like both dreams and nightmares
The book I've been longing for. I immediately want to give it to all my woman friends. It is so important and Sharon Blackie is exactly the right inspirational person to bring this topic and these new stories of old women to the culture
A wonderful collection of tales casting light on older women's desires and roles. Blackie's careful analysis of myth and fairy tale awakens a powerful sense of connection with our most difficult and our most nurturing selves. In a world that often struggles to acknowledge the richness and complexity of this stage of women's lives, I found these stories of carers, peacemakers, tricksters and more both comforting and inspiring. I will be recommending this to all the wise women I know!
This scrumptious new collection took me into much-loved tales from evergreen folklorists and story-gatherers and gifted me the bonus of meeting marvellous new beings. Nestled in insightful notes, this collection turns the spotlight on older women, celebrating their perspicacity and clout with the flair of a seasoned Broadway performance. This will be a smash-hit of a show starring mature and canny women in its second and third acts! Read it, absorb it, treasure it!
A MUST read for women in mid life. A beautiful weave of global myths that tell a story that speaks to us deeply. This is less a book and more a manifesto for mid life, from the mouths of the wise women who came before us. I devoured it!
The glorious possibility that we might age and ripen, age and grow greater, age and be-come, while also accepting that we will age and die - this is what I have come to expect from Sharon Blackie's expansive work, and why I am especially excited by this collection with Angharad Wynne that revisits our old stories, making them thrilling for us now, as the midlife and older wise women we are be-coming
I adored Wise Women - this is the missing piece of the jigsaw puzzle when it comes to reframing the narrative in our culture about the role of older females. Sharon Blackie has unearthed the tales we Queenagers need to see what we can be and become as we age. Essential reading. So important to reclaim these inspirational tales of what older women are for and the crucial roles that they play
All stars
Most relevant
The stories we grew up with so often present marriage as the end of the story for female protagonists, and the rest of their life is then unimportant. It's refreshing and encouraging to see a range different positive roles and archetypes fulfilled by mature women, flying in the face of societal traditions which tell us we are worthless once we are no longer nubile objects of desire. This book gives me a new wave of courage and optimism to enter the second half of my life with. Contrary to some listeners, I really loved the narrator - she has a very versatile voice and is able to embody lots of different characters without the cringe of someone "doing voices". I think she is perfect for the book, and enhanced what was already a lovely text.

The mature folk role models we were missing

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A wonderful look into folkloric history and tales that make you think deeply about the underlying meaning and messages

Magical

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Wonderful collection of stories! As someone who's just going through menopause but doesn't feel 'old' this is a wonderful way to claim / reclaim the second half of your life, recognise your wisdom, and claim your power as an older woman.

Wonderful way to reclaim / claim the second half of your life!

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Unfortunately I cannot get on with the style of narration, I’d much prefer the authors voice.

Enjoying the myths and interpretations

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This is a book about women going through menopause and post-menopause and yet you have chosen an actress in her thirties to narrate it. Surely this is an opportunity missed. It’s the same old story even with this book… Women passed a certain age being replaced by younger women.

Why is an actress in her 30s narrating this?

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