approach avoidance

This absolutely should be read by everyone. By women with caution: it enrages our Cassandras.

2 people found this helpful

Must read!

Greta book that every person must read! At it seems obvious by the title what this story is going to be about however Lesser goes deeper and opens up a very important dialogue that we all must have! Recommended to all my friends.

1 person found this helpful

Forgettable

Cassandra Speaks by Elizabeth Lesser

Is topically forgettable.

For those listening to it, the narrator reads it like it’s a novel, and that makes many of the points loose it’s impact.

Really I need to preface this review with this is not what I thought this book was about. And for that I am disappointed. I thought it was about myths and how they relate and change our everyday images of women and society.

It is not.

In general it is about Lesser’s experience, her work at the Omega institutes, studies of how women communicate, ways to change societies to make it better. There is an entire section about war metaphors and idioms.

It was a good book but this being my month of myth and folklore reading I was expecting more background and insight into Cassandra, Eve, Kali, etc. The first section does focus more on it. But later Lesser takes so much time talking about meditations, her experience traveling, work, and her father.

It’s honestly part memoir and honouring our womanly nature that I did not sign up for.

Much of the book has been read and written before without much added or bolstered by Lesser. We certainly did not need another “how to” be a leaven woman.

Some concepts were good, the not using war metaphors, using more gardening/ baking ones instead seem fun. Making conscious efforts in who’s quotes we use. All valid. Did I need to hear it again, and again. No.

Did I want to hear the history, retelling, and impacts of certain myths on our cultures and others? Yes.

Part of this book also seems a little out of date, a little “another generation” and a little too insulated and not grounded in my reality or the reality I see on the news. It certainly tried to be intersectional, and that’s because it was too autobiographical to accomplish that

This book is for people that enjoy autobiographical self-help books that try to be too nice, too appealing to be of any interest or real impact.

Empowering

After listening to this book I'm not afraid to use the word empower anymore. An incredible read!

Great content, to read.

I'm really appreciating the respect the author has for all genders and the way she sees us going forward together, this is not about denigrating males or masculinity. Stories are used to highlight key views and moments along our historical path which led to the institutions that are in place now.

Knowing how we got where we are is bringing a deeper awareness to the filter on how I see things, and where I might start showing up differently (and I haven't even got to the part where it tells us how to do it yet). I will update at the end.

Audiobook note: I am sensitive to the tone of narration and while the content is delivered clearly, I'm distracted by how it's read versus being lost in the content as inflections seem exaggerated and pauses are out of place (to me).

The book is certainly worth reading or listening to, I still recommend it in either format.

update: the suggestions on how to be a part of the progressive change that we need to make are great and the strong back/soft front meditation was already a favorite and she brings deeper meaning to it. I will get the book to reread.

A must read

A powerful book, one I will read more than once. I have already recommended it to the important people in my life.

A powerful message for creating a new world

Elizabeth Lesser is compassionate and passionate guide for all genders and we begin to dream and create this new world of equality, nurturing and growth. Built on year of witnessing, studying and working with some of the greatest minds and ideas of our time she weaves them with history and facts to help us see clearly where we are and why we are frustrated but also how to change the narrative and find and share all our collective strengths and gifts for a new future. This audible version in her voice is beautifully read with heartfelt moments where I literally felt the power of her prose and also the stirrings in my heart. This book inspires action and was my perfect start to the new year.

All Humans must read - especially women!

Excellent content. I will recommend to ALL the men and women in my life, and especially those interested in a broader perspective on what it means to be human!

A book everyone should read!!!

I loved this book. I think womxn and men of all backgrounds would benefit from reading this book.