Women and Other Monsters

Building a New Mythology

By: Jess Zimmerman

Narrated by: Vanessa Moyen

Length: 6 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

A fresh cultural analysis of female monsters from Greek mythology, and an invitation for all women to reclaim these stories as inspiration for a more wild, more “monstrous” version of feminism

The folklore that has shaped our dominant culture teems with frightening female creatures. In our language, in our stories (many written by men), we underline the idea that women who step out of bounds - who are angry or greedy or ambitious, who are overtly sexual or not sexy enough - aren’t just outside the norm. They’re unnatural. Monstrous. But maybe, the traits we’ve been told make us dangerous and undesirable are actually our greatest strengths.

Through fresh analysis of 11 female monsters, including Medusa, the Harpies, the Furies, and the Sphinx, Jess Zimmerman takes us on an illuminating feminist journey through mythology. She guides women (and others) to reexamine their relationships with traits like hunger, anger, ugliness, and ambition, teaching readers to embrace a new image of the female hero: one that looks a lot like a monster, with the agency and power to match.

Often, women try to avoid the feeling of monstrousness, of being grotesquely alien, by tamping down those qualities that we’re told fall outside the bounds of natural femininity. But monsters also get to do what other female characters - damsels, love interests, and even most heroines - do not. Monsters get to be complete, unrestrained, and larger than life. Today, women are becoming increasingly aware of the ways rules and socially constructed expectations have diminished us. After seeing where compliance gets us - harassed, shut out, and ruled by predators - women have never been more ready to become repellent, fearsome, and ravenous.

©2021 Jess Zimmerman (P)2021 Beacon Press

Critic reviews

"A graceful stylist who casts a wide literary and geographical net, Zimmerman can make nearly anything interesting.... Nearly every page, however, brings fresh insights into age-old myths or tragicomic observations on 21st-century womanhood.... A sparkling and perceptive critique of ancient ideas that still hold women back.” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)

"A fresh look at female-coded monsters from mythology offers insight about embracing characteristics that people fear.” (Shelf Awareness)

“An engaging parsing that addresses the ways that sexism and misogyny constrain women, a provocative weaving of the personal and the political.” (The Progressive)

Wow wow wooooow!

I was so excited to learn about this book but it far exceeded my expectations. I feel so inspired, empowered, and validated by Zimmerman’s eloquent writing. I definitely will be rereading!

Not what I was expecting

I thought it was going to be a retelling of myths from a feminist angle but turned out to be more of a memoir of the authors self-esteem struggles loosely tied to mythological tropes.

A Riveting Show of Symbolism

This book is absolutely stunning. Not only does Zimmerman shed light on the patriarchal influence sowed within our most beloved myths and legends, but she also brings notice to how these same sentiments are impacting the way we as a society view women to this day. I enjoyed this novel for so many reasons. One being, I love Greek mythology, the other being never have I ever came across an author more relatable and honest than the creator of this narrative. There were moments while reading this I had to put the book down and gather my emotions, realizing that I had been in similar situations and that I suddenly felt this immense consolation in knowing I was no longer so deserted in my thoughts towards self-image and past entanglements. I definitely recommend this book to any and all.

Must read

Jess does a fantastic job of showing you just how stories and real life intertwine.

Powerful

A new take on feminism. I loved this book front to back! This narrorator has a wonderful tone and it's well recorded! The author is relatable and she has fresh takes on recent events, 10 out of 10 would recommend!

Absolutely Changed My Life

I cannot stress this enough: Women and Other Monsters is a masterpiece. Jess Zimmerman expertly weaves mythology perfectly into today's feminism movement and beyond. Her writing helped me come to terms with my own struggles of womanhood, fatness, ugliness, and my "dogs below the waist". I will forever recommend this book to any and everyone.

Loved

Loved this book. I could relate to it on so many levels. I learned so much about history, mythology and just life itself. I feel like we’ve all been living under a rock.

Not what was promised

I chose this title thinking it would be similar to Clarissa Pinkola Estes’ work, but in a mythology vein. It could have been- I’m sure the author has the academic chops to produce such a work. However, this book is roughly 30% myth work, 35% prurient confessional, and 35% progressive diatribe. Wholly unpleasant to listen to. And I really, really wanted to listen to this, and couldn’t get past the 70% of wasted sound waves (ink if you read the print version). YesI did listen to the sample before buying. The sample was fine, but the book rapidly devolves into Facebook-style whining about the patriarchy. I want my Audible credit back.

Disappointing

wish I read all the reviews...excellent concept but not enough Mythology or myth/monster content or analysis. way too much personal reference made it tedious and felt like i was misled and wasted my credit...couldn't finish ..i may revisit/try but some chapters barely even discuss the monster/topic and when they do its obvious and shallow analysis. If you are really into self esteem issues I guess u might like. sorry..really wanted to love

Terribly disappointing (and boring)

I thought the book will present well researched feminist interpretation of myths. It's just the author's rant about how much she hates her body and all her self esteem issues. it reads like a badly written (and boring) diary. there is mention of mythical characters in passing, no real research, and definitely not something I'd call a good feminist interpretation. terribly disappointed!