rebeccazh's review against another edition
4.0
Absolutely fascinating. I didn't know reading about genres could be so interesting. Gail Carriger deconstructs the Hero and Heroine's Journey and uses pop culture examples, and goes in depth to provide writing advice and analysis of the Heroine's Journey. In short, the Hero's Journey defines success as (solitary) victory, triumph, power (Batman); it generates feelings of excitement for readers. Narrative endpoints often see the hero alone or so changed from the journey he can no longer return (Frodo).
The Heroine's journey defines success as connection, belonging, family (blood or found); it generates feelings of comfort for readers. Narrative endpoints often see the heroine with community, family, friends, etc. Think Harry Potter, or the typical romance novel trajectory. Detective novels also fall under this category, which does make a lot of sense to me.
Carriger talked about crossovers between the two genres, which was very fascinating and illuminating. And honestly this explained to me why I like the books I like, because of the feeling of comfort and connection.
I lowkey kind of wish this was a bit more concise but nonetheless, I managed to read the whole book continuously despite being in a reading slump. How do I find more books like this...
The Heroine's journey defines success as connection, belonging, family (blood or found); it generates feelings of comfort for readers. Narrative endpoints often see the heroine with community, family, friends, etc. Think Harry Potter, or the typical romance novel trajectory. Detective novels also fall under this category, which does make a lot of sense to me.
Carriger talked about crossovers between the two genres, which was very fascinating and illuminating. And honestly this explained to me why I like the books I like, because of the feeling of comfort and connection.
I lowkey kind of wish this was a bit more concise but nonetheless, I managed to read the whole book continuously despite being in a reading slump. How do I find more books like this...
slelswick's review
4.0
This was an erudite exploration of story structure. Carriger details how a heroine's journey differs from a hero's and she is careful to point out that these different narratives are not gendered. (For example, an individual who identifies as male can embark on a heroine's journey and vice versa.) The difference is how the individual begins the journey and responds to obstacles. The hero's journey is characterized by independence and isolation while the heroine's is one of community and collaboration. This was fascinating.
kandicez's review
5.0
This will hold a place of honor on my shelf next to [a:Stephen King|3389|Stephen King|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1362814142p2/3389.jpg]'s [b:On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft|10569|On Writing A Memoir of the Craft|Stephen King|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1436735207l/10569._SY75_.jpg|150292]. Never mind that it must be a mental shelf since I only have an ebook of this title, but this may be one of the most helpful, illuminating and enlightening books about writing I have ever read.
Carriger explains what I search for in books in a way that makes me question myself for not seeing this before. Of course women can be on a hero's journey. Of course men can be on a heroine's journey! It's the qualities of the journey itself that label it, not the sex of the person on the journey. The fact that Carriger also, quite easily, erases gender and sex from the classification made me feel vindicated in my opinions. I've felt this! I always thought I must be mistaken, but Carriger shows me I was not. A hero's journey is isolating and ends with a personal boon, while a heroine's journey requires a team and a boon to benefit so many more than just the heroine herself.
While [b:On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft|10569|On Writing A Memoir of the Craft|Stephen King|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1436735207l/10569._SY75_.jpg|150292] is about the actual craft of getting down to doing the thing, this book helps the reader identify what they are looking for and reading. This book helps a reader to make informed decisions regarding their entertainment and to recognize what they are hungry for. Carriger does not attempt to prove either the Hero or Heroine's journey as better than the other, but instead to show us there is a place for both. It's just best, that we as readers/watchers, know what it is that we are reading/watching, so we can more easily find what we want.
Carriger explains what I search for in books in a way that makes me question myself for not seeing this before. Of course women can be on a hero's journey. Of course men can be on a heroine's journey! It's the qualities of the journey itself that label it, not the sex of the person on the journey. The fact that Carriger also, quite easily, erases gender and sex from the classification made me feel vindicated in my opinions. I've felt this! I always thought I must be mistaken, but Carriger shows me I was not. A hero's journey is isolating and ends with a personal boon, while a heroine's journey requires a team and a boon to benefit so many more than just the heroine herself.
While [b:On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft|10569|On Writing A Memoir of the Craft|Stephen King|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1436735207l/10569._SY75_.jpg|150292] is about the actual craft of getting down to doing the thing, this book helps the reader identify what they are looking for and reading. This book helps a reader to make informed decisions regarding their entertainment and to recognize what they are hungry for. Carriger does not attempt to prove either the Hero or Heroine's journey as better than the other, but instead to show us there is a place for both. It's just best, that we as readers/watchers, know what it is that we are reading/watching, so we can more easily find what we want.
dfwsusie's review
5.0
For every person who is oversaturated with The Hero's Journey and Joseph Campbell 24/7, this is for you.
Before reading Gail's interpretation of the differences between a Heroine and a Hero's journey, I couldn't articulate why certain stories connected with me and others didn't. Or, at the very least, why I can read certain books and watch certain films over and over, while others are one and done.
In the past year, comfort has been a bigger factor in my personal media consumption (can't imagine why?!) Reading Gail's Heroine's Journey story beats was as if she broke down the driving-force behind those choices and what makes a satisfying journey for me as a reader/watcher.
Included is a solid discussion of the sexism behind why writers in the Heroine's Journey sector are so routinely disrespected. I had not planned on reading something that would challenge some of my own behaviors as a reader, but I appreciated the eye-opening. I will actively seek out writers outside my little bubble and broaden the ol' horizons.
Before reading Gail's interpretation of the differences between a Heroine and a Hero's journey, I couldn't articulate why certain stories connected with me and others didn't. Or, at the very least, why I can read certain books and watch certain films over and over, while others are one and done.
In the past year, comfort has been a bigger factor in my personal media consumption (can't imagine why?!) Reading Gail's Heroine's Journey story beats was as if she broke down the driving-force behind those choices and what makes a satisfying journey for me as a reader/watcher.
Included is a solid discussion of the sexism behind why writers in the Heroine's Journey sector are so routinely disrespected. I had not planned on reading something that would challenge some of my own behaviors as a reader, but I appreciated the eye-opening. I will actively seek out writers outside my little bubble and broaden the ol' horizons.
hyleore's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
4.75
I made important realisations about why I like the stories I like, and learned things that will no doubt be useful and inspiring in my own fiction writing.
Carriger's analysis of the Hero and Heroine's journey makes tons of good points - it actually seems strange to me (as it seemed to Carriger with the people she talked to) that I've never heard of this alternate story structure to the Hero's journey in my story structure wanderings and research, given how ever-present it is in the media we consume (and given that, as the Hero's journey, it is also grounded in ancient mythology). Before this, I knew everything couldn't be the Hero's journey (which I didn't relate to that much) and I had taken my distance from it - and obviously the Heroine's journey doesn't cover 'everything' either - but the Heroine's journey as described by Carriger still fills a gap, and happens to describe the stories I love! (As I read I kept thinking of my favourite book series, the Graceling Realm books by Kristin Cashore - it just fits.)
This book can be a useful tool for writers because it is valuable, as Carriger argues, to be aware of the character journeys, tropes, and archetypes that populate our stories (because they are likely to pop up in yours in some form too).
Carriger's witty and self-proclaimed flippant tone throughout make it surprisingly enjoyable for a non-fiction read, and I especially liked the analyses of the myths of Demeter, Isis, and Inanna which did a great job at establishing the basis of the Heroine's journey. I will definitely come back to this book for reference, and I will recommend it when I can.
Carriger's analysis of the Hero and Heroine's journey makes tons of good points - it actually seems strange to me (as it seemed to Carriger with the people she talked to) that I've never heard of this alternate story structure to the Hero's journey in my story structure wanderings and research, given how ever-present it is in the media we consume (and given that, as the Hero's journey, it is also grounded in ancient mythology). Before this, I knew everything couldn't be the Hero's journey (which I didn't relate to that much) and I had taken my distance from it - and obviously the Heroine's journey doesn't cover 'everything' either - but the Heroine's journey as described by Carriger still fills a gap, and happens to describe the stories I love! (As I read I kept thinking of my favourite book series, the Graceling Realm books by Kristin Cashore - it just fits.)
This book can be a useful tool for writers because it is valuable, as Carriger argues, to be aware of the character journeys, tropes, and archetypes that populate our stories (because they are likely to pop up in yours in some form too).
Carriger's witty and self-proclaimed flippant tone throughout make it surprisingly enjoyable for a non-fiction read, and I especially liked the analyses of the myths of Demeter, Isis, and Inanna which did a great job at establishing the basis of the Heroine's journey. I will definitely come back to this book for reference, and I will recommend it when I can.
nikshelby's review
5.0
2020 Oct: Brilliant analysis and explanation of a structure that we all love - but didn't know that we knew...
Most books on the craft of story primarily focus on Campbell's "Hero's Journey."
However, that is not the only "chassis" that has provided a familiar guide over the centuries.
Ignored by scholars, misunderstood by us all, Gail Carriger has finally given us the flashlight we need to see into the dark of story structure.
I've been anticipating the release of this excellent nonfiction work for awhile...and Carriger's book has exceeded all of my expectations.
Seeking to write a novel and are unsure about the structure principles that might aid you? Read Heroine's Journey. Fan of movies, comic books, and novels - and you'd like to better understand what it is that you enjoy? Read Heroine's Journey. Seeking a scholarly work on narrative structure that is actually accessible and understandable? Read Heroine's Journey.
2020 Sept 27 - I just needed to take a moment to say just how much I’m enthralled with “Heroine’s Journey.”
I’ve been anticipating it for a few years, after listening to our favorite AuthorBeast discuss some of this narrative on a podcast. I went searching for more information - and not finding it anywhere. And then...the ever-delightful Miss Gail, herself, finally provided the guidance we needed on our quest. (and her book is a more pleasant treasure than the search of Isis!).
I haven’t completed this brilliant nonfiction yet (though I began on the day I received my preordered copy), because I’m taking my time to savor it, and take notes, and apply it to my favorite stories, and talk about it, and think about it. Anybody else need to burble like me?
Thank you, Gail Carriger, for being an author - and sharing your knowledge and talents.
Most books on the craft of story primarily focus on Campbell's "Hero's Journey."
However, that is not the only "chassis" that has provided a familiar guide over the centuries.
Ignored by scholars, misunderstood by us all, Gail Carriger has finally given us the flashlight we need to see into the dark of story structure.
I've been anticipating the release of this excellent nonfiction work for awhile...and Carriger's book has exceeded all of my expectations.
Seeking to write a novel and are unsure about the structure principles that might aid you? Read Heroine's Journey. Fan of movies, comic books, and novels - and you'd like to better understand what it is that you enjoy? Read Heroine's Journey. Seeking a scholarly work on narrative structure that is actually accessible and understandable? Read Heroine's Journey.
2020 Sept 27 - I just needed to take a moment to say just how much I’m enthralled with “Heroine’s Journey.”
I’ve been anticipating it for a few years, after listening to our favorite AuthorBeast discuss some of this narrative on a podcast. I went searching for more information - and not finding it anywhere. And then...the ever-delightful Miss Gail, herself, finally provided the guidance we needed on our quest. (and her book is a more pleasant treasure than the search of Isis!).
I haven’t completed this brilliant nonfiction yet (though I began on the day I received my preordered copy), because I’m taking my time to savor it, and take notes, and apply it to my favorite stories, and talk about it, and think about it. Anybody else need to burble like me?
Thank you, Gail Carriger, for being an author - and sharing your knowledge and talents.