Customer Reviews

The Hero and the Goddess: The Odyssey as Pathway to Personal Transformation

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Don't waste your time or money on this edition. The 1992 Ballantine version is far superior and less expensive, obviously produced by a competent publisher. This current copy is badly edited, badly organized, and sadly outdated - all of which could have been repaired with thoughtful publishing skill. The cover art is truly atrocious and rather comical. If another edition of this work were to be rethought, I strongly urge the author to also rethink her choice of publisher.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book in 1992. At her best, Houston is a profoundly creative interpreter of the Campbell vision. However, in this case she really should have left well enough alone. This current version does not move the mythic experience forward. It continues to be a series of New Age exercises, a bit out of date, to draw and explain the psychological and spiritual essence of human existence through a mythic lens. During the course of this reading, I was again struck with Houston's forceful vision. However, this time I was also uncomfortably aware that the vision should grow through time. I did not find the growth factor in this edition and was disappointed that the publisher could not see the needed change. My rating does not reflect a judgment of Houston's philosophy but does reflect my disappointment with the shortcomings of this edition.

This is a wonderful book that takes any willing participant on the "Hero's Journey". Jean Houston is a masterful story teller and evocateer of the possible human. If you are ready to journey down the path as did Odysseys in the Odyssey this is a great book for you and could just change your life. I would recommend this book to both individuals and groups who are interested in engaging in their full human potential.