The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
beckybmckinney's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
2.5
I want so much more. This was like a tiny little glimpse into a handful of goddesses, there wasn't enough background information or stories.
lelex's review against another edition
5.0
"Long before she was regarded as mother of the powerful deities, she herself was the powerful deity."
I deeply enjoyed this. Even though it was published in the 80s, Spretnak's style of writing and clear and concise way of portraying information is still very accessible. I'm very into the mythology we all know and love, but these myths that focus more on matriarchy and the goddesses having power that doesn't stem from the gods that they're connected to in Olympian myth really does it for me.
"Slowly they found that hunger has many forms."
"Life was young and frail when Aphrodite arose with the breath of renewal."
"Still, Artemis always appeared to a mother who called and always rejoiced with her at the moment of birth."
I deeply enjoyed this. Even though it was published in the 80s, Spretnak's style of writing and clear and concise way of portraying information is still very accessible. I'm very into the mythology we all know and love, but these myths that focus more on matriarchy and the goddesses having power that doesn't stem from the gods that they're connected to in Olympian myth really does it for me.
"Slowly they found that hunger has many forms."
"Life was young and frail when Aphrodite arose with the breath of renewal."
"Still, Artemis always appeared to a mother who called and always rejoiced with her at the moment of birth."
mindsplinters's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting and clearly a passion project. However, it did not quite go into the depth I expected from it - focusing more on rejecting the patriarchal Olympian myths from the earlier ones, firmly dividing the two eras of myth. I got to wondering, though... If the original matriarchal religion and society was invaded and conquered by invading barbarians but all cultures were matriarchal, how were those invaders into patriarchal myth structures? Where did they pull those out of? Hmm.
peacockbook's review against another edition
1.5
This is a 'analysis' of the Greek Pantheon and how the stories of the Goddesses can get retold and faded over time...with very little backing or citation for how these myths were changed. It takes a very modern Western and 1970's Feminist view on something that was created from multiple cultures across centuries of time. The myths, rather than adding anything to the discourse of mythology and history, become very sanitized and cutsy-wutsy. I would not use this book as any sort of source when doing research.
apparentlyalix's review against another edition
5.0
This book has finally given me an answer to the origins of patriarchy and a clearer picture about not only pre-Hellenic Greece, but the entirety of Prehistory. It also shines some light onto a few original Goddesses' myths. It has inspired me greatly, as an artist and most obviously as a woman and a feminist. HIGHLY recommended to everyone as this subject needs to be talked about more! It's a fast read anyways.
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