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Wise Women

Myths and stories for midlife and beyond

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Wise Women

By: Sharon Blackie, Angharad Wynne
Narrated by: Kristin Atherton, Sharon Blackie
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About this listen

 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 (P)2024 Hachette Audio UK Adulthood & Aging Developmental Psychology Gender Studies Literary History & Criticism Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Social Sciences Magic Fantasy Witchcraft Mythology Royalty Magic Users
All stars
Most relevant
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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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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