Meeting the Madwoman: Empowering the Feminine Spirit

By Linda Schierse Leonard

Book Overview

The Madwoman is a powerful psychological and emotional energy that lives in us all--both men and women--and speaks to us all, inhabiting our dreams, our lives, our collective cultural memory. Ignored or suppressed, she becomes a force of self-destruction; acknowledged and understood, she becomes a source of creativity and power. In this remarkable and revolutionary book, Linda Schierse Leonard explores how we can overcome the inner turmoil of contemporary life--unexpressed rage, the buildup of guilt and anxiety--by harnessing this primal expression of our natural instincts. From Medea to Ophelia to Thelma and Louise, the paradox and patterns of "madness" are as old as time. But the chain can be broken; the Madwoman within each of us can and must be freed, openly expressed, and transformed into a source of constructive, creative energy. Leonard draws upon an extraordinary range of sources--ancient myths and fairy tales, films and literature, contemporary and historical women's lives--to design a model of empowerment for women today. With its fresh perspectives and bold insights, Meeting the Madwoman is a provocative work of profound cultural significance, one whose ideas are sure to resonate for years to come. Praise for Meeting the Madwoman "A book loaded with practical insights that's also fun to read . . . With refreshing originality, Leonard reverses some traditional perceptions." -- New Woman "A vigorous exploration . . . Throughout, Leonard writes passionately, seeing the Madwoman as an empowering symbol and the discovery process as a spiritual exercise--a kind of purification and ultimate triumph of the feminine spirit." -- Kirkus Reviews

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0553373188
• ISBN13: 9780553373189
• Release Date: March 1994
• Publisher: Bantam
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Meet medusa

Meet all of your internal madwomen & embrace them all. This book was really a find. It led me on a journey uncovering so much about women & the need to create, to embrace totally the Goddess within myself & other women as well. I really got into reading up on all the goddesses & all of their abilities & reclaimed my own. Own up to your power ladies.

AN EVERY WOMAN MUST READ

AMAZED ME THE FIRST TIME THROUGH AND UPON REREADING I DOVE MORE DEEPLY INTO A CLEARER UNDERSTANDING OF MYSELF, MY RELATIONSHIP WITH MY MOTHER, AND THE MANY ARCHETYPES AND PERSONAS SO STRONGLY PRESENT UPON MY PATH. MS. SCHIERSE LEONARD HAS THE ABILITY TO AFFECT LIVES DRAMATICALLY WITH HER AMAZING KNOWLEDGE AND CREATIVITY. NEVER DULL, ALWAYS POINGNANT, SHE WELCOMES US TO DESCEND INTO THE UNDERWORLD, CONFRONT, AND BEFRIEND THE WILD SHADOW IN ALL OF US. IF YOU WANT TO HEAL YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOURSELF OR YOUR MOTHER YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK.

A great book!

I picked up this book for a research project I am doing--Portrayals of Women in the 19th Century, and How They Compare to Portrayals of Women Today. The book was wonderful! It's written beautifully, and really gives a deep look at the lives of women. I loved the analysis of movies like Thelma and Louise, Fatal Attraction--it makes you see what really was the message in films like that. I recommend this book to everybody that is interested in the history of women.

WOMEN

THE BOOK REALLY GAVE AN INDEPTH LOOK AT WOMEN IN BOTH THE PRESENT AND PAST, AS WELL AS FROM OTHER CULTURES THAN THE UNITED STATES. I PARTICULARLY ENJOYED READING THE PORTION IN THE BOOK ABOUT THE CELTIC WOMEN AND HER RIVALRY WITH HER MORE CIVILIZED SON.

Amazing and Facinating, really hit home

I'm not much into reading non-fiction..normally pick it up for a bit and then file it away..but this has kept me captivated. I would recomend it to anyone, especially younger women trying to figure themselves out, and men trying to figure women out (ha ha). A very empowering book.