Customer Reviews

Amazon: A Novel

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I read Amazon in about two days. It's a nice short, fun read. It tells the story of an ancient Amazon living in the Black Sea area, who enters a Goddess temple for a vision quest, and wakes up in modern day America. The book details her perceptions, as a woman from a matrilineal, female honoring society, of modern day America.

A lot of perceptions are painfully obvious, such as her thoughts on television, food, and spousal abuse. But it's fun to read her reactions to these situations.

It's a juvenile sort of inspiration, but totally worth it if you have a few days and an interest in the Goddess religions.

Opens your eyes to what a farce life is for women and children in the "modern" West. Here's my favorite scene:

She handed him a bag. He pulled a bottle out of it, looked at it, and abruptly slapped the woman just as he had slapped the child. "You stupid bitch," he said. "That ain't scotch, it's bourbon. I told you scotch."

He raised his hand again. The woman cowered against the car, expecting another blow, which never fell. By that time I had my sword out of the mailing tube, had spun the man around with an ankle shove to put him off balance, and had pinned him against the car with the point of my sword at his throat. "Men not hit women and children," I said.

"Who the hell are you?" he demanded, glaring through bloodshot eyes. He was about to attack me. I shoved his shoulder back harder and gave his neck a little warning prick. Blood trickled down to his collar.

"Men no hit women and children," I repeated. "Wrong."

"Mind your own goddamn business!" he shouted. I pricked him again. Then Diana was at my side, saying, "Come on, Ann, you mustn't do this." [Antiope's 20th-century rescuer Diana calls her "Ann"].

"Damn right she mustn't do this!" the man blustered. "Call a cop, you! Get her back to the bin where she belongs! What's she doing with that illegal weapon?"

Ignoring everything, I said, "You swear by whatever spirit you worship, never to hit women or children again -- else I kill you right here."

He stared into my eyes and realized that I meant it. By way of encouragement I let him feel my blade once more. His collar was now quite red. I saw him begin to tremble.

"OK, lady, OK. Don't get excited."

"Swear," I said, tensing my grip.

"OK, I swear. I'll never hit anybody, so help me God. Satisfied?"

I looked at his woman, who stood with her mouth open, holding on to a grocery bag. "You remember," I said. "If he does criminal acts, I will find him." She nodded without closing her mouth...."

~ Jeri Studebaker, author of Switching to Goddess: Humanity's Ticket to the Future

This story takes place during 5 B.C. in ancient Greece. It is about an "Amazonian" woman who is transported through time and reaches present day America. We see our society through the eyes of this Greek Warrior Amazon woman's. It is a commentary on our violent, lawless times and her confusion about our acceptance towards the violence to each other and specifically towards women. The heroine in the book reflects on how women are not allowed to make decisions on how we govern our own bodies and how we are "governed" by men. She cannot understand how we kill each other for the sheer viciousness of it all, whereas the Amazon Warrior woman kills for defense. She sees that women in our society have historically been controlled and exploitated by men, and her society has always been led by strong women, one that respects and honors women. A great commentary on our modern times!

What a great story -with comments that really hit the mark about our modern civilization. The first person perspective really helps the story along - I couldn't put this book down. The funny parts are really funny yet, there were parts to this story that make me sad for our modern civilization. All women should read this book - and be inspired.

This book was obviously based on the author's extensive knowledge of the past. And what a glorious past it was!

A past when The Great Mother was revered and worshipped by all, instead of by isolated pockets of Womyn (and non-patricarchial Men), a past which honored Our Sacred Womyn's Bodies, a past in which all of the Mother's creatures, human and non-human alike were treated with respect, a past in which Her rivers ran free and Her skies were clear and Her Sacred Breath smelled sweet...

How amusing to see our world through the eyes of that fabled creature an Amazon Warrior! How ridiculos we look!

But the religion of The Great Goddess is being Re-Birthed!!! And I am helping it to happen!

I love books like this. Wonderful story with a strong female message. I have always found the idea of time travel fascinating and it was really interesting to read this take on it. My favorite part of the book was observing how a woman from a society that was domainated by women, interacted in the male dominant society of today. This book is short, but it's a rare gem! If you happen to run across this dont' pass it up!

There was something about the writing style of this book that made me feel like I was reading the latest pre-teen novel. I believe Barbara Walker has only written this one fiction and has many well-received non-fiction titles & should probably stick to that genre.

I DID enjoy the read, which went very quickly, but part of the quickness was due to my skimming through much of it as it is pretty easy to anticipate where it's going. It covers alot of key issues including religious fanatacism, the media and sexuality - but not in any depth...There's a detailed description of a Goddess ceremony which some may find interesting.

As one other reviewer said, it pretty much states the obvious about our current culture but perhaps this bears repeating -especially to young women (and young MEN for that matter) so they can help break the mold that is already cracking. There are many sexual references, however, with many amusing moments therein, including discussion of "pleasuring yourself," so it might not be appropriate for some young readers.

I am definitely biased because I had just finished reading Stephen Pressfield's "The Last of the Amazons" which was an EXCELLENT story with much historical detail & characters that came vividly to life. THAT story truly touched my heart- I almost wished I'd read Walker's fun novel FIRST because in a way her Amazon story has clouded/soured my memories of Pressfield's great work, but no matter because I plan to buy, "Last of the Amazons" as it is definitely a keeper to read & re-read again & again.

Find Barbara Walker's, "Amazon" at the public library like I did & enjoy its unique concept some rainy afternoon.