Wise Women

Myths and Stories for Midlife and Beyond

By: Sharon Blackie, Angharad Wynne, Little Brown Book Group Limited

Narrated by: Kristin Atherton, Sharon Blackie

Unparalleled inspiration from fierce grandmothers, misunderstood witches, glamorous fairy godmothers, and hairy-chinned hags

From early childhood, we learn about the world and its possibilities through myths and fairy tales. The heroines, though, tend to be young princesses or fair maidens, and the evildoers older women: wicked witches or unforgiving matriarchs. Yet a wealth of lesser-known European stories feature mature wise women with personality and power. Compiling many years of research, Sharon Blackie has reclaimed these tales, presenting them in evocative prose that will resonate with women of all ages.

This dazzling array of not-to-be-messed-with older characters provides compelling role models for today’s listeners, who seek to redefine their relationship with aging. These women outwit monsters, test and mentor younger heroines, embody the cycles of the Earth, weave the world into being — and almost always have the last laugh. Each story is accompanied by background commentary that highlights important themes and reveals its insights into how we might live meaningfully and authentically in the second half of life.

©2024 Sharon Blackie, Angharad Wynne (P)2024 New World Library

Critic reviews

“Wondrously wise, clever, and insightful as well as slyly funny. Wise Women maps a new path made of old stories, offering an alternative for women in the second half of life — a reframing as a harvest season of experience rather than a dying off.”
— Dr. Angela (A.G.) Slatter, award-winning author of The Briar Book of the Dead

“The book I’ve been longing for. I immediately want to give it to all my woman friends. It is so important, and Sharon Blackie is exactly the right inspirational person to bring this topic and these new stories of old women to the culture.”
— Jill Dawson, author of The Bewitching

“A fascinating collection of female myths and legends that read like both dreams and nightmares.”
— Sara Sheridan, author of The Fair Botanists

“This scrumptious new collection took me into much-loved tales from evergreen folklorists and story gatherers and gifted me the bonus of meeting marvelous new beings. Nestled in insightful notes, this collection turns the spotlight on older women, celebrating their perspicacity and clout with the flair of a seasoned Broadway performance. This will be a smash hit of a show starring mature and canny women in its second and third acts! Read it, absorb it, treasure it!”
— Shahrukh Husain, author of The Virago Book of Witches

“This rich curation reiterates the truth that women in midlife — and beyond — are a vital source of wisdom. Reading them ignited a fire in my belly!”
— Julia Bueno, author of Everyone’s a Critic