The Heroine's Journey

Woman's Quest for Wholeness

By: Maureen Murdock

Narrated by: Laurel Lefkow

Length: 7 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

“Anything is possible for women as we find our voice, honor our identity, work together for a common goal, and stand unapologetically with our arms wide open to the skies in a stance of pride and acknowledgment of the sacredness of the feminine.” (from the preface to the 30th anniversary edition)

The Heroine’s Journey describes contemporary woman’s search for wholeness in a society where she has been defined according to masculine values. Drawing on cultural myths and fairy tales, ancient symbols and goddesses, and the dreams of contemporary women, Murdock illustrates the need for — and the reality of — feminine values in Western culture. This special anniversary edition, with a new foreword by Christine Downing and preface by the author, illuminates that this need is just as relevant today as it was when the book was originally published 30 years ago.

©1990 Maureen Murdock (P)2021 Shambhala Publications

Validating and empowering

I think any female going through transitions in their life should read this book. There are so many moments throughout where I recognized, yes that is what I’m feeling! This book also gave me the language to speak about my feminine nature and embrace how to just be.

I also enjoyed the references to many stories and mythology about strong female characters.

Required Reading

This should be required reading for everyone in high school English. I can't imagine a more transformative, powerful book to combat the patriarchy.

Every woman should read this

This book brought such beautiful light to what it means to navigate this world as a woman. The explanation of the journey inward was beautifully described. It was like there were words for what I had experienced during my descent inwards.

Lots of Good Stuff with a Caveat

So much food for thought in this book. If you’re at all familiar with earth based spirituality or feminism or eco feminism you’ve heard most of this. The one section that felt really dated and problematic was the section on daughters purportedly abandoning their mothers. Children cannot abandon their parents. I found this section really challenging and even triggering to listen to especially after nodding along to the prior material. It just felt like the author did some bad math but alas psychology evolves and this wasn’t something that a little Bethany Webster reading couldn’t rectify. Otherwise a nice top line intro to feminine principles and living in relationship with oneself and the world vs attempting to mutilate ourselves to fit in w bro culture.

Phenomenal book

Such a powerful and insightful book on the psychology and the journey women travel over their lives. Sadly, this book isn’t brought to the attention of more women earlier in their lives. The same way the Hero’s Journey by Joseph Campbell isn’t well known by young men. There is nothing worse than going through the dark night of the soul or a shift through the archetypal stages of life and not knowing what is wrong or what is coming next. A book like this should be introduced early in a woman’s life so she can make the most of this journey so she can become the most introspective and glean from it the experience. All of the stages were beautifully articulated and gave me deeper insight into the lives of the women in my life.

Essential Teachings for Writers and Humans of All Kinds

This may have been the single most impactful book I’ve ever read in my entire life.

I will make it my life’s goal to get as many people to read it as possible. I’ve never learned so much, so fast, about the deep wounds the feminine soul of humanity has suffered for thousands of years, and how painful it is to recover that aspect in all of us - yet immensely important that we do so.

I am a man, and this helped me understand parts of me I never understood, but also parts of all the women in my life.

It deepens my love and respect for the strong women I’ve had in my life, and only hope to set my daughter out on the path of The Heroine’s Journey.

A must for writers creating female characters!

This book is a must if you write about women. and really just a great read in general. It reorient women's experience within a modern, historical, and mythological context and breaks out of traditionally masculine molds of storytelling and success.

as a young mother

this was beautiful, painful and eye opening. great book for all women. I am going to share it with my mother. a lot of understanding and healing.

Absolutely Women’s Must

A defenetly must reading for women of all ages and all times
Loving the mystical and theoretical content!
Perfect for today’s transition on gender equality

No

Don’t do it. Women are not all the same. I couldn’t get past the first chapter.