Page 25 - The Villager August 2021

Book Reviews

3. Women Who Run with the Wolves 4. Educated by Tara Westover
by Clarissa Pinkola Estes This is an extraordinary memoir of the life of a girl,
Maya Angelou said, “Everyone who can read should read this born in rural Idaho, to parents who, for lack of a better
book.” Enough said. description, were doomsdays prophets. They believed
This is not an easy read. The author’s writing style is very rich the FBI and government were watching their every move.
and mature, much like the feeling you get when indulging in a They refused to send their children to school, get medical
beautifully cooked lamb shank with a velvety red wine jus. It is a care or associate with people who were not stockpiling
remarkable book though. food for the coming end-of-days. As shocking and sad
She unpacks and rewrites fables and folklores that different as her story is, she compensates for it with her exquisite
cultures have kept alive over generations, through storytelling writing style. This book will appeal to anyone who has
to their children and grandchildren. Many of these stories, heard experienced any form of childhood trauma (so basically
in our younger years, are so entrenched in our belief system that everyone).
they have become a part of who we are. What I have found most It is not a sad book per se, but rather an astonishing
intriguing is how these stories have dictated the way we view account of how far a person can come and what they can
women, love and power. Just think of all the old Disney princess accomplish despite an imperfect upbringing. This one is
movies! So, if you have the appetite for magic and medicine, this for the bubble bath!
one is a must!

5. The Invitation want to know if you have touched the centre of
by Oriah Mountain Dreamer your own sorrow, if you have been opened by
Now obviously, that is not the author’s real life’s betrayals or have become shrivelled and
name. It was a name given to her by Native closed from fear of further pain! I want to know
American elders and means one who likes to if you can sit with pain, mine or your own,
push the edge and can help others to do the without moving to hide it or fade it, or fix it.
same. I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or
The best way to describe this book is to give your own, if you can dance with wildness and
you a tiny taste of it. let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers
It doesn’t interest me what you do for a and toes without cautioning us to be careful,
living. I want to know what you ache for and to be realistic, to remember the limitations of
if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s being human.
longing. The book starts with this poem, of which there
It doesn’t interest me how old you are. I are seven more stanzas, each one as profound
want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your as the previous. They are unpacked further in the chapters that
dream, for the adventure of being alive. follow. This book is real, raw, unfiltered, practical, complex, honest
It doesn’t interest me what planets are squaring your moon. I and beautiful.

Contact Michelle via her website for coaching and
well-being resources https://www.michellelraymond.com/ Happy Women’s Month!

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