Name: 𝔢𝔪's review of If Women Rose Rooted by Sharon Blackie
Item: If Women Rose Rooted
Rating: 3
Author: 𝔢𝔪

Sharon Blackie

A life-changing journey from the wasteland of modern society to a place of nourishment and connection. Fifth anniversary edition, with new afterword for 2021. 'Mind-blowing. An anthem for all we could be . . . I sincerely hope every woman who can read has the time and space to read it.' Manda Scott, author of Boudica and A Treachery of Spies 'This is the core of our task: to respect and revere ourselves, and so bring about a world in which women are respected and revered, recognised once again as holding the life-giving power of the earth itself.' If Women Rose Rootedhas been described as both transformative and essential. Sharon Blackie leads the reader on a quest to find their place in the world, drawing inspiration from the wise and powerful women in native mythology, and guidance from contemporary role models who have re-rooted themselves in land and community and taken responsibility for shaping the future. Beautifully written, honest and moving,If Women Rose Rooted is a passionate song to a different kind of femininity, a rallying, feminist cry for the rewilding of womanhood;reclaiming our role as guardians of the land. 'Powerful and inspiring.' Melissa Harrison, author of All Among the Barley

A Life-Changing Journey to Authenticity and Belonging

If Women Rose Rooted

𝔢𝔪

I went in with very high hopes for this particular literary work. The promise of Celtic myth inter-spliced with a moving call back to our roots, and consequently the land, was an invitation I accepted greedily. However, I found this book to be more haunting than inspiring, and far more of a personal memoir than a collective call to action (though the call was attempted frequently and forcefully). The emphasis for the narrative fell more on the collective ache than on the resilience of women — and as the title suggests, the book was exclusively about women and what defines them (not all of which I agreed with). The myths were a joy to read but the retelling carried the same candid and somewhat cynical voice of the author.  They also felt a bit dissonant paired against the very real and potent hardships of women who'd been interviewed by the author for the purpose of this book. Much like the myths, I also felt their stories did not echo their authentic voices but rather the agenda of the author.  It was extremely well researched (and properly cited), which was greatly appreciated.  And there were many bright moments that felt both familiar and poignant, and a nod to ecopoetics I have yet to encounter anywhere else, but the overall impression I'm left with is that it asked a lot of the reader emotionally and did not deliver enough hope or inspiration in return. The premise is there, and it is a lovely introduction to the concept of reclaiming and reawakening from the 'Wasteland' as she describes it. But in a time when reckoning, remembering, and returning are becoming more prevalent in literary works, this feels like a jumping off point not necessarily an advancement in the discourse.

'I love this book. Truly, it's mind-blowing in the most profound and exhilarating sense. This is an anthem for all we could be, an essential book for this, the most critical of recent times. I sincerely hope every woman who can read is given one, and has the time and the space to read it.' - Manda Scott, author of Boudica and Into the Fire. In this extraordinary book of myth, memoir and modern-day mentors (from fashion designers to lawyers), Blackie faces the wasteland of Western culture, the repression of women, and the devastation of our planet.

The Power of the Celtic Woman

Sarah Ryan

As someone who walked away from a traditional, patriarchal corporate environment to live differently this book spoke to my soul. As someone who has always strongly identified with her Celtic roots I loved reading all the Celtic stories woven throughout the book. Highly recommend to anyone who finds themselves stuck on a hamster wheel and wondering if life is actually supposed to be this hard (hint: it's not). What an amazing book to start 2021 with.

Em &
If Women Rose Rooted by Sharon Blackie

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If Women Rose Rooted by Sharon Blackie