The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
timitsut's review against another edition
super tone-deaf, Author doesn't seem to grasp how privileged she is and the whole going-on about women having to save the earth really pissed me off. Ok so patriarchy is the problem and we're here to fix everything cos "nature is inherently female" or whatever? sure, jan. I have a deep adoration for mythology and folklore and its juxtaposition to feminism, but this just felt classist and white feminist-ish to me. Would not recommend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
paperknotbooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
kizzia's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
3.75
There’s a lot of things to like in this book, especially if you’re like me so spending time in nature and being immersed in folktales, myths and legends are things you enjoy. The creation of a heroine’s journey, that looks nothing like Joseph Campbell’s heros journey and far more linked to the land and to community really spoke to me, as did some of the old stories Sharon picked to illustrate her points.Â
However there is such a massive focus on what is traditionally seen as womanhood, and a womans experience that it was alienating at times. I’ve not had children, I don’t see myself as particularly feminine, my womb and periods are things I would cheerfully give up without a second thought. I didn’t really find myself fitting into part of the text, despite Sharon clearly not wanting anyone to feel left out if they didn’t fit the mould.Â
So I have done what I alway do with books of this sort, taken what made sense and felt helpful to me and left the rest. It is an approach I would urge other readers to take if they pick it up, since it has been written from a place of sincerity and a wish to help anyone who finds themselves lost on the shores of burnout and struggling with the world today.
However there is such a massive focus on what is traditionally seen as womanhood, and a womans experience that it was alienating at times. I’ve not had children, I don’t see myself as particularly feminine, my womb and periods are things I would cheerfully give up without a second thought. I didn’t really find myself fitting into part of the text, despite Sharon clearly not wanting anyone to feel left out if they didn’t fit the mould.Â
So I have done what I alway do with books of this sort, taken what made sense and felt helpful to me and left the rest. It is an approach I would urge other readers to take if they pick it up, since it has been written from a place of sincerity and a wish to help anyone who finds themselves lost on the shores of burnout and struggling with the world today.
jj_ensen's review
1.0
Didn’t finish this one. I liked the Selkie myth, but overall I didn’t get anything out of this book. There was lots of fluffy, hollow words with no substance or practical advice.
lizritchie22's review
4.0
In "If women rose rooted", Sharon Blackie tells her own story of finding a meaningful life and connecting to the earth. Along the way she explores Celtic mythology, folklore, and history. We also meet several other women who have escaped the typical, capitalism lifestyle. These women have either moved to Ireland, Scotland, England, or another state and started a new life.
From the beginning, Blackie captured my attention as she explored the ways that our society has painted women; such as pointing out Eve as the villain in Christianity, the reason we have "sin".
She goes on to discuss the ways we have become disconnected from nature, the land, and our roots.
This wasn't a quick or easy book to read. There is so much to this book and it challenged me to reflect on my own way of living and on how I want my future to look like. How can I connect better with mother nature? How can I fulfill my potential as an ally? Do I want to continue working the typical 9-5 grind until retirement?
At the end of the book she provides questions and a guide on how we can reflect.
From the beginning, Blackie captured my attention as she explored the ways that our society has painted women; such as pointing out Eve as the villain in Christianity, the reason we have "sin".
She goes on to discuss the ways we have become disconnected from nature, the land, and our roots.
This wasn't a quick or easy book to read. There is so much to this book and it challenged me to reflect on my own way of living and on how I want my future to look like. How can I connect better with mother nature? How can I fulfill my potential as an ally? Do I want to continue working the typical 9-5 grind until retirement?
At the end of the book she provides questions and a guide on how we can reflect.
akingston5's review
5.0
"If women remember that once upon a time we sang with the tongues of seals and flew with the wings of swans, that we forged our own paths through the dark forest while creating a community of its many inhabitants, then we will rise up rooted, like trees. And if we rise up rooted, like trees . . . well then, women might indeed save not only ourselves, but the world."
•••
I do not know much about my Celtic ancestry, only that many of my family began in the British Isles. Reading this work by Sharon Blackie was such a gift: in this she explores the ways mythologies show the links between women and the earth, exploring her own Celtic background. She argues for the Eco-Heroine's journey, and women's journey to rediscovering themselves while she also weaves in Celtic myths. I really loved this a lot!
•••
I do not know much about my Celtic ancestry, only that many of my family began in the British Isles. Reading this work by Sharon Blackie was such a gift: in this she explores the ways mythologies show the links between women and the earth, exploring her own Celtic background. She argues for the Eco-Heroine's journey, and women's journey to rediscovering themselves while she also weaves in Celtic myths. I really loved this a lot!