Customer Reviews

Goddess: Myths of the Female Divine (Oxford Paperbacks)

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This book, and its companion, God, are excellent sources for all people who are exploring their spirituality, and even better for those that aren't. The authors present their brief introductions to the Goddess concept and let short retellings from world mythology supply their evidence, a system which both helps the book flow and makes the reader a more apt critic of the authors' interpretations of the myth. Granted, the retellings are short and the book's subject matter is too broad to be discussed in depth, but it presents its ideas of coherence and unity powerfully and respectfully, satisfying to both the mind and the soul. I recommend it wholeheartedly, especially if you are a Neopagan, this book makes an excellent outsiders' view of a subject dear to our hearts.

Although the authors are two men, Leeming, a professor of English and Mythology, and Page, a science writer and novelistÑthey believe the story of Goddess belongs to and is important to everyone, regardless of gender. And, their intent, to present a "coherent tale of Goddess," is successfully realized without entering into gender politics. With short stories, and equally short introductions, the reader is introduced to all the favorites as well as many lessor-known Goddesses such as the Apache "Vagina Girls." For in-depth detail on the Goddesses, one must go to other books, but while reading this overall "biography" of the archetype, one can begin to sense the unity of the archetype that has existed in all parts of the world with that which is within.

The men who wrote this book are very feminist. It is touching the way they refer to Her as Goddess; not once do they slip up and call her "the" Goddess. This shows that She is as important to Her followers as God is to his.The strength of this book is its beautiful writing. Most of the myths are short enough, pretty enough, and reverent enough to read out loud durning rituals.Another thing that i loved about this book is its multi-cultural scope. Despite being an avid reader of books on Goddess for 12 years-this book has some myths and some goddesses that i have not heard of before.i highly reccomend this book. The language is delicous and each goddess is portrayed not as a figure from myth but as a diety worthy of worship.

This is a great little book that consists of a sequence of stories about the Goddess figure throughout history. Leeming and Page provide sparce though cogent introductions, occasional pictures, and then transcripts of the various Goddess tales. We are able to witness the transformation of the Goddess myths over time in a way that mere text could not provide.

One of the strengths of this book is its brevity, but that is also its chief deficit. Many of the tales are not properly identified, and there are no footnotes or notes of any kind. There is a brief selected bibliography and a short index. Perhaps a little more attention to cater to the needs of people with an academic interest would have made this a much stronger book, although as it stands it is well written, very interesting, and certainly informative.

I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in the Goddess mythology, whether you are a beginning student or advanced scholar. Some of my own work has been in the area of early Christian history (see Jesus Who? and Mary Who? for my historical books on Jesus and Mary Magdalene) and I found new and useful information in Leeming and Page's little book.

Short, easy to read book on the goddess myth. Lots of references and illustrations. If not part of your collection it probably should be.