Meeting the Madwoman: Empowering the Feminine Spirit [Paperback]

Linda Schierse Leonard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1994

In this bestseller for women who run with wolves, Jungian analyst, philosopher, and critically acclaimed author Linda Leonard explores the archetypal feminine energy that she calls the Madwoman. An invaluable key to self-understanding, the insightful myths and codified patterns show women how to live more positive lives.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This richly evocative study by a Jungian analyst posits the existence of a madwoman archetype. The image appears frequently in women's dreams, according to Leonard ( The Wounded Women: Healing the Father and Daughter Relationship ). And she makes a good case that the madwoman is a messenger, metaphor and model who points the way to women's liberation. The author encourages women to acknowledge their own madwoman in order to transform themselves. She intriguingly redefines many female stereotypes--The Dark Muse, The Recluse, The Bag Lady, The Visionary, The Caged Bird--in relation to her archetype. What is especially interesting here are the examples from famous women, literature, films and Leonard's own patients. The most remarkable include Camille Claudel, Alma Mahler, Maria Callas, Rosa Luxemburg and Rachel Carson--as well as the imaginary Medea, Mrs. Bridges, Blue Angel and Thelma and Louise. Leonard also shows how some of the real women she writes about were influenced by the fictional or mythical women. In this work, she provides a new perspective on how women can break out of culturally imposed roles.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Feminine madness entraps women in traditional, patriarchal roles, keeping creativity captive to repressed anger and fear. Jungian analyst Leonard ( On the Way to the Wedding , LJ 6/15/86; Witness to the Fire , Shambhala, 1989) employs her talent as storyteller to treat us to yet another book on psychological archetypes. Mad energy is wasted on archetypes such as the saint, the ice queen, the dragon lady, the sick mother, the caged bird, the muse, the rejected lover, the bag lady, the recluse, and the revolutionary. She explains the archetypes of contemporary women as well as those of representative women in history (Camille Claudel as the muse); in films and novels ( Thelma and Louise as revolutionaries, Mr. and Mrs. Bridge as caged bird); and in mythology and fairy tales. Leonard uses more examples than theorizing to make complex Jungian concepts understandable, accounting for her readability and popularity. Her latest book will certainly prove to be as successful as the others.
- Paula N. Arnold, Norwich Univ. Lib., Northfield, Vt.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Bantam (March 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553373188
• ISBN-13: 978-0553373189
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 1 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #203,161 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AN EVERY WOMAN MUST READ, November 22, 2001

By 

KARY SMITH (PORTLAND, OR USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Meeting the Madwoman: An Inner Challenge for Feminine Spirit (Hardcover)

AMAZED ME THE FIRST TIME THROUGH AND UPON REREADING I DOVE MORE DEEPLY INTO A CLEARER UNDERSTANDING OF MYSELF, MY RELATIONSHIP WITH MY MOTHER, AND THE MANY ARCHETYPES AND PERSONAS SO STRONGLY PRESENT UPON MY PATH. MS. SCHIERSE LEONARD HAS THE ABILITY TO AFFECT LIVES DRAMATICALLY WITH HER AMAZING KNOWLEDGE AND CREATIVITY. NEVER DULL, ALWAYS POINGNANT, SHE WELCOMES US TO DESCEND INTO THE UNDERWORLD, CONFRONT, AND BEFRIEND THE WILD SHADOW IN ALL OF US. IF YOU WANT TO HEAL YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOURSELF OR YOUR MOTHER YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book!, February 29, 2000

By 

Sarah (San Diego) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Meeting the Madwoman: An Inner Challenge for Feminine Spirit (Hardcover)

I picked up this book for a research project I am doing--Portrayals of Women in the 19th Century, and How They Compare to Portrayals of Women Today. The book was wonderful! It's written beautifully, and really gives a deep look at the lives of women. I loved the analysis of movies like Thelma and Louise, Fatal Attraction--it makes you see what really was the message in films like that. I recommend this book to everybody that is interested in the history of women.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing and Facinating, really hit home, June 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Meeting the Madwoman: Empowering the Feminine Spirit (Paperback)

I'm not much into reading non-fiction..normally pick it up for a bit and then file it away..but this has kept me captivated. I would recomend it to anyone, especially younger women trying to figure themselves out, and men trying to figure women out (ha ha). A very empowering book.