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The Heroine's Journey: For Writers, Readers, and Fans of Pop Culture
Tired of the hero’s journey?
Frustrated that funny, romantic, and comforting stories aren’t taken seriously?
Sad that the books and movies you love never seem to be critically acclaimed, even when they sell like crazy?
The heroine’s journey is here to help.
Multiple New York Times bestselling author Gail Carriger presents a clear concise analysis of the heroine’s journey, how it differs from the hero’s journey, and how you can use it to improve your writing and your life.
In this book you’ll learn:
* How to spot the heroine’s journey in popular books, movies, and the world around you.
* The source myths and basic characters, tropes, and archetypes of this narrative.
* A step-by-step break down of how to successfully write this journey.
What do Agatha Christie, JK Rowling, and Nora Roberts all have in common?
They all write the heroine’s journey. Read this book to learn all about it.
From Harry Potter to Twilight, from Wonder Woman to Star Wars, you’ll never look at pop culture the same way again.
With over a dozen NYT and USA Today bestsellers, and over a million books in print, popular genre author and former archaeologist Gail Carriger brings her cheeky comedic tone and over a decade of making her living as a fiction author to this fascinating look at one of the most popular yet neglected narratives of our time. The presentation she does on this subject sells for hundreds of dollars.
“I’m not sure how you can just rewire my brain to see the heroine’s journey like this and then expect me to make coherent, thought-out comments about the text when all I want to do is hold it in my twisted little grip while I shove it at people screaming like a madman and pointing at passages.”
~ Author Beta Reader
Gail Carriger uses the heroine’s journey to produce bestselling, critically-acclaimed books that genre blend science fiction, cozy mystery, young adult, urban fantasy, romance, historical fiction, and alternate history. In this non-fiction book she uses her academic background and creative writing skills to bring to life the archetypes, tropes, story beats, themes, and messages inherent in the heroine’s journey. Part treatise on authorship, part feminist literary criticism, part how to write guide, Carriger uses mythology, legend, and Gothic victorian 19th century literature to explore movies, screenwriting, books, and audience desires.
This is an excellent reference guide for genre fiction authors seeking to improve their craft or for readers and pop culture enthusiasts interested in understanding their own taste. It is the perfect counterpoint to The Hero with a Thousand Faces not to mention Save the Cat, Women Who Run With The Wolves, and The Breakout Novelist.
Frustrated that funny, romantic, and comforting stories aren’t taken seriously?
Sad that the books and movies you love never seem to be critically acclaimed, even when they sell like crazy?
The heroine’s journey is here to help.
Multiple New York Times bestselling author Gail Carriger presents a clear concise analysis of the heroine’s journey, how it differs from the hero’s journey, and how you can use it to improve your writing and your life.
In this book you’ll learn:
* How to spot the heroine’s journey in popular books, movies, and the world around you.
* The source myths and basic characters, tropes, and archetypes of this narrative.
* A step-by-step break down of how to successfully write this journey.
What do Agatha Christie, JK Rowling, and Nora Roberts all have in common?
They all write the heroine’s journey. Read this book to learn all about it.
From Harry Potter to Twilight, from Wonder Woman to Star Wars, you’ll never look at pop culture the same way again.
With over a dozen NYT and USA Today bestsellers, and over a million books in print, popular genre author and former archaeologist Gail Carriger brings her cheeky comedic tone and over a decade of making her living as a fiction author to this fascinating look at one of the most popular yet neglected narratives of our time. The presentation she does on this subject sells for hundreds of dollars.
“I’m not sure how you can just rewire my brain to see the heroine’s journey like this and then expect me to make coherent, thought-out comments about the text when all I want to do is hold it in my twisted little grip while I shove it at people screaming like a madman and pointing at passages.”
~ Author Beta Reader
Gail Carriger uses the heroine’s journey to produce bestselling, critically-acclaimed books that genre blend science fiction, cozy mystery, young adult, urban fantasy, romance, historical fiction, and alternate history. In this non-fiction book she uses her academic background and creative writing skills to bring to life the archetypes, tropes, story beats, themes, and messages inherent in the heroine’s journey. Part treatise on authorship, part feminist literary criticism, part how to write guide, Carriger uses mythology, legend, and Gothic victorian 19th century literature to explore movies, screenwriting, books, and audience desires.
This is an excellent reference guide for genre fiction authors seeking to improve their craft or for readers and pop culture enthusiasts interested in understanding their own taste. It is the perfect counterpoint to The Hero with a Thousand Faces not to mention Save the Cat, Women Who Run With The Wolves, and The Breakout Novelist.
210 pages, ebook
First published September 28, 2020
405 people are currently reading
2667 people want to read
About the author
Gail Carriger
63 books15.4k followersGail Carriger writes comedies of manners mixed with paranormal romance (and the sexy San Andreas Shifter series as G L Carriger). Her books include the Parasol Protectorate and the Finishing School series. She is published in many languages and has over a dozen NYT bestsellers. She was once an archaeologist and is fond of shoes, octopuses, and tea. Join the Chirrup for sneak peaks of upcoming giggles: http://gailcarriger.com/chirrup
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 365 reviews
July 27, 2020
The truth is, I have never really clicked with a book on writing structure before, because their formulas have never seemed to really fit my favorite books and stories without being twisted out of plausibility. So I was skeptical when I picked this up - but then I loved it SO MUCH that I blurbed it, and this is the official blurb I sent: "The first book on writing structure that's ever truly resonated for me and made sense of the way my favorite stories work. I've thought back to this book so many times since reading it, and I know I'll be reading it again!”
I can't wait for my preordered final copy to arrive for lots of re-reading!
I can't wait for my preordered final copy to arrive for lots of re-reading!
February 11, 2021
I’m not a writer… so why am I reading a book about writing? Because it’s by Gail Carriger, that’s why!
Gail Carriger is a favorite writer, and her books own prime shelf real estate in my personal library. I adore her characters, her plots, her world-building, her dialogue, and her silliness. (She’s also unfailingly welcoming and warm at book signings, which can’t be easy…)
In any case — after reading about The Heroine’s Journey through Gail’s social media and newsletters, I was intrigued enough to want to check it out. Lo and behold, it was a fascinating read, even for a non-writer like me!
In The Heroine’s Journey, Gail explains in details how a Heroine’s Journey differs from the much better-known Hero’s Journey. Surprise #1 — the heroine of a Heroine’s Journey does not have to be female! The concept of the hero and heroine, at least as Gail explains, has much more to do with the types of journeys they’re on, the obstacles they encounter, the resources they use, and their ultimate goal, than with a definition based on gender identification.
Through the use of literary and pop culture references, Gail clearly identifies the key elements of a Heroine’s Journey, and explains the tropes, characters, and beats that provide the journey’s framework. She also provides excellent examples of different techniques to use to bring characters to life, get readers involved, and provide a satisfactory payoff for devoted readers.
As an avid reader, and someone who loves genre fiction of all sorts, I found this book so interesting! It really helped me understand why certain types of stories and plots resonate, and taught me a lot about structure and underlying themes as part of understanding a writer’s craft and accomplishments.
And as for the geek in me, I adored the fact that she used Harry Potter throughout the book to explain different facets of the Heroine’s Journey. It’s fine to provide a writerly explanation of different points, but the examples are what really brought the points to life for me.
The Heroine’s Journey is a great read for anyone who enjoys learning about the craft behind the stories we love. I’ll be pushing this book into the hands of a few writer friends of mine too!
Gail Carriger is a favorite writer, and her books own prime shelf real estate in my personal library. I adore her characters, her plots, her world-building, her dialogue, and her silliness. (She’s also unfailingly welcoming and warm at book signings, which can’t be easy…)
In any case — after reading about The Heroine’s Journey through Gail’s social media and newsletters, I was intrigued enough to want to check it out. Lo and behold, it was a fascinating read, even for a non-writer like me!
In The Heroine’s Journey, Gail explains in details how a Heroine’s Journey differs from the much better-known Hero’s Journey. Surprise #1 — the heroine of a Heroine’s Journey does not have to be female! The concept of the hero and heroine, at least as Gail explains, has much more to do with the types of journeys they’re on, the obstacles they encounter, the resources they use, and their ultimate goal, than with a definition based on gender identification.
Through the use of literary and pop culture references, Gail clearly identifies the key elements of a Heroine’s Journey, and explains the tropes, characters, and beats that provide the journey’s framework. She also provides excellent examples of different techniques to use to bring characters to life, get readers involved, and provide a satisfactory payoff for devoted readers.
As an avid reader, and someone who loves genre fiction of all sorts, I found this book so interesting! It really helped me understand why certain types of stories and plots resonate, and taught me a lot about structure and underlying themes as part of understanding a writer’s craft and accomplishments.
And as for the geek in me, I adored the fact that she used Harry Potter throughout the book to explain different facets of the Heroine’s Journey. It’s fine to provide a writerly explanation of different points, but the examples are what really brought the points to life for me.
The Heroine’s Journey is a great read for anyone who enjoys learning about the craft behind the stories we love. I’ll be pushing this book into the hands of a few writer friends of mine too!
December 8, 2020
Possibly the best craft book I've read this year. It is a thoroughly feminist guide to writing genre fiction and really shined a light on the way I write my stories and helped me really solidify my thoughts about how I construct the romances I write. Excellent.
May 27, 2021
Quite an interesting take on the Hero's Journey that I'd not seen before, and that gave me much food for thought. I'll now be able to spot the Heroine's Journey in more places than I'd otherwise able, which to me is a plus as I'd been wondering for a while what a Heroine's Journey would look like. Carriger answered a good number of my questions, I especially appreciated her argument that the Journey, whilst it does have beats that are typically male and typically female, is essentially genderless (a man can undergo a Heroine's Journey, and a woman can undergo a Hero's Journey).
I'm still a bit puzzled about why the author didn't address the myth of Psyche, though, and only used Demeter, Isis, and Inanna as her mythological examples. Psyche is far more known and has a well-developed storyline that meets the Hero's Journey beats quite well. I'll ascribe it to the author not being a scholar versed in mythology, like Joseph Campbell was, and whilst it was disappointing, it doesn't take away from the valid points she presents here.
I'm still a bit puzzled about why the author didn't address the myth of Psyche, though, and only used Demeter, Isis, and Inanna as her mythological examples. Psyche is far more known and has a well-developed storyline that meets the Hero's Journey beats quite well. I'll ascribe it to the author not being a scholar versed in mythology, like Joseph Campbell was, and whilst it was disappointing, it doesn't take away from the valid points she presents here.
October 8, 2020
One of the best writing craft books I've read in a long time
This is definitely one for the reference shelf of any writer, working in any genre and writing any character journey.
I feel like the last frame of a galaxy brain meme because this shed so much light on why I gravitate to the books I do and a lot of the things that have gone wrong in various writing projects.
Very deep, very thought provoking, but also immensely readable. Will definitely be reading again.
This is definitely one for the reference shelf of any writer, working in any genre and writing any character journey.
I feel like the last frame of a galaxy brain meme because this shed so much light on why I gravitate to the books I do and a lot of the things that have gone wrong in various writing projects.
Very deep, very thought provoking, but also immensely readable. Will definitely be reading again.
March 18, 2021
Even as a reader & reviewer, I think craft books can be great for us to read. This is my second, the first being Romancing the Beat which was also amazing. The Heroine’s Journey was eye opening as hell and very insightful! I think as reviewers if we want to stay on our p’s and q’s with language when talking about books we’re reading, specifically as romance readers, this book is kind of a must read.
October 15, 2021
I knew my books and my writing didn't follow the hero's journey. Now that I know my process has a name, I see it in everything I read and watch on television.
August 28, 2020
I’m so excited about this book – I don’t think it is an understatement to say that it could transform some writers’ careers.
Here Carriger outlines a different approach to novels, one that embraces comfort, connection, and joy as important beats to a story – something which I’ve always believed but haven’t really seen articulated. And she goes further to argue that this alternative narrative is wildly popular, if only we would have the wit to see it.
I completely agree. These are the kind of books that I like, and the ones I have striven to write: groups of quirky characters forming their own team/family, lots of humour, sense of connection, scenes of delight, and a denouement that involves everyone (not just the protagonist pitted alone against a villain). I’m so glad to now understand I was unconsciously seeking and writing the heroine’s journey!
Carriger writes with her characteristic intelligence, warmth, and humour, and delves into fascinating topics such as gothic literature tropes and how they underlie the heroine’s journey; the history of romance novels (and how and why they are denigrated); and our culture’s glorification of the hero’s journey at the expense of the heroine’s. I especially liked the detour into tips on writing humour, and the appeal of the Byronic hero – so much gold in this book!
Even if you are not a writer, but just an avid consumer of literature, you will find this an eye-opening take on what can make a novel sing.
Read it now! It might change your writing life.
Here Carriger outlines a different approach to novels, one that embraces comfort, connection, and joy as important beats to a story – something which I’ve always believed but haven’t really seen articulated. And she goes further to argue that this alternative narrative is wildly popular, if only we would have the wit to see it.
I completely agree. These are the kind of books that I like, and the ones I have striven to write: groups of quirky characters forming their own team/family, lots of humour, sense of connection, scenes of delight, and a denouement that involves everyone (not just the protagonist pitted alone against a villain). I’m so glad to now understand I was unconsciously seeking and writing the heroine’s journey!
Carriger writes with her characteristic intelligence, warmth, and humour, and delves into fascinating topics such as gothic literature tropes and how they underlie the heroine’s journey; the history of romance novels (and how and why they are denigrated); and our culture’s glorification of the hero’s journey at the expense of the heroine’s. I especially liked the detour into tips on writing humour, and the appeal of the Byronic hero – so much gold in this book!
Even if you are not a writer, but just an avid consumer of literature, you will find this an eye-opening take on what can make a novel sing.
Read it now! It might change your writing life.
July 7, 2025
Reread 7.7.25. Since I'm on a Carriger rereading kick again, I thought I'd add my very favorite book on writing to the mix. I always find something new to focus on, usually based on whatever my current reads are. An all-timer for me.
Reread 6.28.24, just because I've been thinking a lot about it. The best, most illuminating book about storytelling I've ever read.
Reread 6.28.24, just because I've been thinking a lot about it. The best, most illuminating book about storytelling I've ever read.
October 2, 2021
I was expecting better. She doesn't give an in-depth analysis of any of the beats in a Heroine's Journey. I recommend Kim Hudson's "The Virgin's Promise" instead. At least for me, it was uncanny how resonating it was.
November 22, 2020
It's been a while since a craft book has made me excited to write. I had so many epiphanies about my own work while reading this for which I will forever be grateful to Ms. Carriger.
April 8, 2021
FABULOUS
October 15, 2022
Kirja oli mainio, mutta taitto oli jotenkin sekava. Kappaleiden välissä oli pienemmällä fontilla yksittäisiä lauseita tai muutaman lauseen tekstejä, joista oli vähän vaikea hahmottaa, mikä niiden pointti oli, tai mitä taitolla yritettiin ilmaista.
Kirja myös koostuu lyhyistä luvuista, jotka olisivat olleet helpommin ymmärrettäviä, jos lyhyitä lukuja olisi yhdistelty laajemmiksi kokonaisuuksiksi. Tuntui että 300 sivun kirjasta olisi voinut nipsaista 50 sivua pois vain selkeyttämällä taittoa ja otsikointia. Nykyisellään teksti oli jotenkin silppuisen tuntuista.
Jos yllämainitut olisivat olleet kunnossa, tämä olisi viiden tähden kirja. Perusajatus yksinäisen sankarin matkan vastapoolina olevasta yhteisöllisen sankarittaren matkasta on nerokas. "Sankari" ja "sankaritar" eivät tässä ilmaise sukupuolia, vaan myyttien narratiiveja ja arkkityyppisiä hahmoja. Carriger lähtee liikkeelle jumalattarista (Demeter, Inanna, Isis) ja heidän tarinoistaan, jotka eivät noudata campbellilaista sankarin matka -skeemaa. Jumalattarista päästään populaarikulttuurin tarinoihin, jotka hyödyntävät samoja tarinalinjoja.
Suosittelen kirjaa kyllä mielelläni kaikille kirjoittaville ihmisille. Sain lukiessani monta hyvää oivallusta ja ideaa.
Kirja myös koostuu lyhyistä luvuista, jotka olisivat olleet helpommin ymmärrettäviä, jos lyhyitä lukuja olisi yhdistelty laajemmiksi kokonaisuuksiksi. Tuntui että 300 sivun kirjasta olisi voinut nipsaista 50 sivua pois vain selkeyttämällä taittoa ja otsikointia. Nykyisellään teksti oli jotenkin silppuisen tuntuista.
Jos yllämainitut olisivat olleet kunnossa, tämä olisi viiden tähden kirja. Perusajatus yksinäisen sankarin matkan vastapoolina olevasta yhteisöllisen sankarittaren matkasta on nerokas. "Sankari" ja "sankaritar" eivät tässä ilmaise sukupuolia, vaan myyttien narratiiveja ja arkkityyppisiä hahmoja. Carriger lähtee liikkeelle jumalattarista (Demeter, Inanna, Isis) ja heidän tarinoistaan, jotka eivät noudata campbellilaista sankarin matka -skeemaa. Jumalattarista päästään populaarikulttuurin tarinoihin, jotka hyödyntävät samoja tarinalinjoja.
Suosittelen kirjaa kyllä mielelläni kaikille kirjoittaville ihmisille. Sain lukiessani monta hyvää oivallusta ja ideaa.
July 28, 2023
4.5 rounded up
I really love this author's fiction, but wasn't quite sure how that would translate to non-fiction. Thankfully I quite enjoyed this!
Really interesting break-down of the Heroine's journey as opposed to the Hero's journey, and as the author says, you'll start noticing it everywhere in the media you consume after reading! The chapters are short, the tone light and charming, with some really great examples from both mythology and modern pop-culture--it felt very readable and went by quickly!
There are places where it feels repetitive, the tone didn't always totally work for me, and certainly this isn't (nor is it meant to me) a comprehensive break down or academic analysis. But I thought it was enjoyable and really interesting, and I'd say it's absolutely worth a read if you're a writer, or if you're a fan of books and media, particularly if you're a reviewer, as there is absolutely stuff in here to interest you!
I really love this author's fiction, but wasn't quite sure how that would translate to non-fiction. Thankfully I quite enjoyed this!
Really interesting break-down of the Heroine's journey as opposed to the Hero's journey, and as the author says, you'll start noticing it everywhere in the media you consume after reading! The chapters are short, the tone light and charming, with some really great examples from both mythology and modern pop-culture--it felt very readable and went by quickly!
There are places where it feels repetitive, the tone didn't always totally work for me, and certainly this isn't (nor is it meant to me) a comprehensive break down or academic analysis. But I thought it was enjoyable and really interesting, and I'd say it's absolutely worth a read if you're a writer, or if you're a fan of books and media, particularly if you're a reviewer, as there is absolutely stuff in here to interest you!
January 13, 2021
"A heroine not only asks for help, she is good at it. She learns how to ask the right people, and to embrace both them and their advice. For a heroine, asking for help is not a weakness, it is profoundly empowering. There is no shame in storytellers employing either narrative. There is shame when an entire culture of storytellers and critics values one narrative over the other."
***
First, an admission: I don't read many writing/storytelling books. I know, I know, the craft! How will I improve my craft? The truth is, the format's never really worked for me. I'd rather read a hundred articles or blog posts and be able to bounce between topics and succinct explanations than sit down and read a writing book cover to cover.
Well, this book just might be enough to change my mind. After reading this book, I'm honestly embarrassed to say that even after years of writing and reading about story structure and the Hero's Journey, I'd never heard of the Heroine's Journey. Here is a an in depth and yet still concise description of what the Heroine's Journey is, how it compare's to the Hero's journey, and why our culture seems to prefer one while shoveling out the big bucks for the other (hint: it's not the Hero's Journey). And clarify something that Carriger makes abundantly clear early on: the journey you're on has absolutely nothing to do with your gender! What defines a Hero's vs a Heroine's journey can be grossly simplified to how victory is defined and the sacrifices the hero/heroine must make to achieve it. While the Hero's Journey requires isolation and sacrifice of the thing they hold most dear to defeat the big bad, the Heroine's Journey relies on coalition building and compromise to achieve the end result. And you know what? That's a story that deserves to be told.
I can honestly say that this book has changed not only how I write, but how I view the pieces of popular culture around me. I finally understand why I've often struggled to make characters do what they were "supposed" to do - I was trying to for them on the wrong journey! Not all stories require isolation, individual accomplishment, and "going it alone." Intuitively, I knew this (it's how I live my own life after all) but for some reason I thought a "good story" required those things. Why? Because like most of our society, I've had it hammered into my head that that's just what a hero does. No more, my friends. I now feel like I have the structure to tell a different story and the confidence to know that it can still be a killer story.
While this is definitely not just a book for writers and entails insights and case studies that would interest anyone who enjoys popular culture, for this writer at least it's been a game changer and I can't recommend it more.
***
First, an admission: I don't read many writing/storytelling books. I know, I know, the craft! How will I improve my craft? The truth is, the format's never really worked for me. I'd rather read a hundred articles or blog posts and be able to bounce between topics and succinct explanations than sit down and read a writing book cover to cover.
Well, this book just might be enough to change my mind. After reading this book, I'm honestly embarrassed to say that even after years of writing and reading about story structure and the Hero's Journey, I'd never heard of the Heroine's Journey. Here is a an in depth and yet still concise description of what the Heroine's Journey is, how it compare's to the Hero's journey, and why our culture seems to prefer one while shoveling out the big bucks for the other (hint: it's not the Hero's Journey). And clarify something that Carriger makes abundantly clear early on: the journey you're on has absolutely nothing to do with your gender! What defines a Hero's vs a Heroine's journey can be grossly simplified to how victory is defined and the sacrifices the hero/heroine must make to achieve it. While the Hero's Journey requires isolation and sacrifice of the thing they hold most dear to defeat the big bad, the Heroine's Journey relies on coalition building and compromise to achieve the end result. And you know what? That's a story that deserves to be told.
I can honestly say that this book has changed not only how I write, but how I view the pieces of popular culture around me. I finally understand why I've often struggled to make characters do what they were "supposed" to do - I was trying to for them on the wrong journey! Not all stories require isolation, individual accomplishment, and "going it alone." Intuitively, I knew this (it's how I live my own life after all) but for some reason I thought a "good story" required those things. Why? Because like most of our society, I've had it hammered into my head that that's just what a hero does. No more, my friends. I now feel like I have the structure to tell a different story and the confidence to know that it can still be a killer story.
While this is definitely not just a book for writers and entails insights and case studies that would interest anyone who enjoys popular culture, for this writer at least it's been a game changer and I can't recommend it more.
September 29, 2022
This book is worth reading for fiction writers because it explicitly points out and lays out a pattern for effective storytelling that is just as present and useful as the oft-obsessed over Hero’s Journey.
From that angle, it’s a useful tool for the writer’s tool box.
I just wish the author’s voice weren’t quite so twee. And I wish it weren’t so full of the author’s unsubstantiated, and often unrelated, truths about the ideological sins of all past generations except for her specific generation and her specific milieu.
It’s not even that I disagree with that many of her views. It’s that they’re presented as if they were carved on tablets handed down from heaven or derived from rigorous laboratory testing, when they are simply the latest orthodoxy that will undoubtedly be revised a thousand more times in the halls of academia.
In short: Good core content. Cringy voice. Lots of superfluous stuff that wasn’t needed.
From that angle, it’s a useful tool for the writer’s tool box.
I just wish the author’s voice weren’t quite so twee. And I wish it weren’t so full of the author’s unsubstantiated, and often unrelated, truths about the ideological sins of all past generations except for her specific generation and her specific milieu.
It’s not even that I disagree with that many of her views. It’s that they’re presented as if they were carved on tablets handed down from heaven or derived from rigorous laboratory testing, when they are simply the latest orthodoxy that will undoubtedly be revised a thousand more times in the halls of academia.
In short: Good core content. Cringy voice. Lots of superfluous stuff that wasn’t needed.
Read
December 14, 2021DNF.
The technical stuff for writers is great. I wasn't particularly aware of the heroine's journey before this, so that was eye-opening and illuminating.
However.
There is a lot of post modern critical theory going on under the surface, especially when talking about the differences between the hero and heroine's journeys. I'm not a fan of that worldview, and I don't agree with the basic, underlying premises of much that Carriger has to say. She REALLY doesn't like the hero's journey, and I think she limits and misrepresents the hero's journey for the benefit of her much more favored heroine's journey.
After about 45% of reading, I realized that I had already gotten everything I need as a writer from this book. So I stopped.
The technical stuff for writers is great. I wasn't particularly aware of the heroine's journey before this, so that was eye-opening and illuminating.
However.
There is a lot of post modern critical theory going on under the surface, especially when talking about the differences between the hero and heroine's journeys. I'm not a fan of that worldview, and I don't agree with the basic, underlying premises of much that Carriger has to say. She REALLY doesn't like the hero's journey, and I think she limits and misrepresents the hero's journey for the benefit of her much more favored heroine's journey.
After about 45% of reading, I realized that I had already gotten everything I need as a writer from this book. So I stopped.
September 10, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. I had never heard of the heroine’s journey and this book laid it out in interesting and easy to understand ways. It also has practical advice for using the heroine’s journey in your own writing, where one sees examples of the heroine’s journey in modern fiction, and why much of it is dismissed by critics (and adored by fans). Would absolutely recommend and I’ll be reading the whole thing again soon and I’m sure many times in the years to come.
March 23, 2021
I liked it well enough, but it felt a bit superficial and while it was an entertaining read, I think the book could've been half the length without losing any of its depth. It seemed to me that there was a bigger focus on being funny than on being informative, and while I appreciated her wit, I had come to the book with high expectations. I rounded my rating up to 3 stars because while there was only a couple of points which she repeated throughout the book, it was good points.
So if you're looking for a light, funny introduction to archetypal character arcs which aren't just the hero's journey, this is a good place to start. If you're looking for a broader and yet more in-depth discussion of archetypal character arcs, I'd recommend K. M. Weiland, who's writing a series about just that on her blog and isn't afraid to recommend further reading and other craft books.
So if you're looking for a light, funny introduction to archetypal character arcs which aren't just the hero's journey, this is a good place to start. If you're looking for a broader and yet more in-depth discussion of archetypal character arcs, I'd recommend K. M. Weiland, who's writing a series about just that on her blog and isn't afraid to recommend further reading and other craft books.
June 26, 2024
Very interesting if you want to better understand the things you read and write.
November 12, 2022
‘For writers, readers and fans of pop culture’. These words appear on the front cover of the book. Although having read it I think ‘The Heroine’s Journey’ is mainly aimed at writers, I believe most people who enjoy reading or watching films/TV series would take something from it. I certainly did.
The heroine’s journey is a form of narrative structure that can trace its roots back to ancient myths. It differs from the hero’s journey in many ways. The hero works in isolation to achieve his goal but the heroine has a collaborative approach, building a team around her and achieving her goal with the help of others. Females can follow the hero’s path and males can follow the heroine’s.
One of the best things about this book is the way the author uses popular culture to illustrate the heroine’s journey. In particular she references the Harry Potter and Twilight series. I’m not familiar with the latter but have read all the Harry Potter books and found it fascinating to analyse the narrative in this way. Harry is a classic example of a character on a heroine’s journey; he works with his friends who all play their parts in overcoming Voldemort.
It was interesting too to think about how a book is structured and how to move the story along and also to consider various character types that can be introduced. ‘The Heroine’s Journey’ was nicely set out and designed as the author states at the beginning of the book to make it easy to dip in and out of as required.
However one major problem for me was the author’s writing style, which really irritated me. She uses a lot of what I would class as unwitty asides. Yes, it’s great to illustrate your point by giving an example, but quips like ‘I’m looking at you Shakespeare’ just detract from the point she is trying to get across. Just saying ‘ie Shakespeare’ is enough. I nearly gave up on the book in the opening chapters as I found these jokey asides so annoying.
The author encourages potential writers to be diverse and inclusive when creating characters. She gives the example of a figure of authority such as a doctor and says ‘Think very very carefully about putting straight white able-bodied males into these power roles’. She goes onto describing this as a yawn fest. Why? I think so long as your character is well written and the reader can empathise with them it doesn’t matter about their colour, sexual orientation or race.
This made me start to think about what makes a book enjoyable to me. Rather than having to identify with characters, so long as I can empathise with them and understand their motivation, I’m happy. Also important to me is the book’s setting. Thinking back to Sarah Winman’s ‘Still Life’ which I have recently read, Florence was such a wonderful setting that it almost became another character. ‘Still Life’ is an excellent example of a heroine’s journey. Ulysses does not work in isolation but with the wonderful and diverse set of characters around him. It’s not just about the narrative for me, though. The style of writing and choice of words is very important to me. Sarah Winman is able to convey so much, often with subtle wit, in a few well chosen words.
I haven’t tried to write a book and have great admiration for anyone who attempts it and/or succeeds. However I did think ‘The Heroine’s Journey’ made the process seem rather formulaic. The book has however made me analyse what I’m reading or watching which I think brings another dimension to the books and programmes. I have just finished a series on the BBC iPlayer called ‘Wreck’ and what started as a hero’s journey soon became a heroine’s journey as teamwork was key.
So despite its faults I would say that I gained from reading this book!
The heroine’s journey is a form of narrative structure that can trace its roots back to ancient myths. It differs from the hero’s journey in many ways. The hero works in isolation to achieve his goal but the heroine has a collaborative approach, building a team around her and achieving her goal with the help of others. Females can follow the hero’s path and males can follow the heroine’s.
One of the best things about this book is the way the author uses popular culture to illustrate the heroine’s journey. In particular she references the Harry Potter and Twilight series. I’m not familiar with the latter but have read all the Harry Potter books and found it fascinating to analyse the narrative in this way. Harry is a classic example of a character on a heroine’s journey; he works with his friends who all play their parts in overcoming Voldemort.
It was interesting too to think about how a book is structured and how to move the story along and also to consider various character types that can be introduced. ‘The Heroine’s Journey’ was nicely set out and designed as the author states at the beginning of the book to make it easy to dip in and out of as required.
However one major problem for me was the author’s writing style, which really irritated me. She uses a lot of what I would class as unwitty asides. Yes, it’s great to illustrate your point by giving an example, but quips like ‘I’m looking at you Shakespeare’ just detract from the point she is trying to get across. Just saying ‘ie Shakespeare’ is enough. I nearly gave up on the book in the opening chapters as I found these jokey asides so annoying.
The author encourages potential writers to be diverse and inclusive when creating characters. She gives the example of a figure of authority such as a doctor and says ‘Think very very carefully about putting straight white able-bodied males into these power roles’. She goes onto describing this as a yawn fest. Why? I think so long as your character is well written and the reader can empathise with them it doesn’t matter about their colour, sexual orientation or race.
This made me start to think about what makes a book enjoyable to me. Rather than having to identify with characters, so long as I can empathise with them and understand their motivation, I’m happy. Also important to me is the book’s setting. Thinking back to Sarah Winman’s ‘Still Life’ which I have recently read, Florence was such a wonderful setting that it almost became another character. ‘Still Life’ is an excellent example of a heroine’s journey. Ulysses does not work in isolation but with the wonderful and diverse set of characters around him. It’s not just about the narrative for me, though. The style of writing and choice of words is very important to me. Sarah Winman is able to convey so much, often with subtle wit, in a few well chosen words.
I haven’t tried to write a book and have great admiration for anyone who attempts it and/or succeeds. However I did think ‘The Heroine’s Journey’ made the process seem rather formulaic. The book has however made me analyse what I’m reading or watching which I think brings another dimension to the books and programmes. I have just finished a series on the BBC iPlayer called ‘Wreck’ and what started as a hero’s journey soon became a heroine’s journey as teamwork was key.
So despite its faults I would say that I gained from reading this book!
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August 23, 2021I'm reading Gail Carriger's The Heroine's Journey and loving it. (Hero's journey vs heroine's journey, by Gail's definition, has no connection to biology, sex, or gender. It's more of a conceptual structure for examining storytelling.) I bought this book as part of my relentless attempt to pretend that reading about writing is the same thing as doing the actual writing, but this isn't a book for writers only. If you like thinking about storytelling and figuring out what draws you as a reader, you will really enjoy this book, I think.
"[The heroine's journey] narrative...bubbles up as stories of found families, and building loyalty, and co-adventure, and deep love." Yes, I want THAT. :) This is what hits all my happy buttons as a reader. Plus, Gail is hilarious, which is always a bonus!
"[The heroine's journey] narrative...bubbles up as stories of found families, and building loyalty, and co-adventure, and deep love." Yes, I want THAT. :) This is what hits all my happy buttons as a reader. Plus, Gail is hilarious, which is always a bonus!
September 20, 2020
Gail Carriger's The Heroine's Journey is delightful to read both in her analysis of the differences between the classic Hero's Journey and the Heroine's Journey and in her explanation of why we don't recognize the Heroine Journey as a classic form.
Carriger writes both for reader/viewer/listeners as well as for writers to recognize the different "chassis" of story building.
She clearly delineates the concept of the gendered narrative as men, women, and non-binary beings can be either heroes or heroines, depending on how they define and approach their goals. She provides excellent examples of each from popular books and movies, as well as literary references in a very readable (may I say a bit snarky) style, much as she does in her novels. The reference page is a hoot.
I find her explanation helpful on my own work-in-progress as a heroine's journey, and in recognizing the structures of stories as I binge-watch streaming media.
For example, I've been watching the 60s TV western "The Virginian," about a nameless trail boss/ranch foreman, played by James Drury, whose first aim is always to get people work out differences, to keep peace, to protect his boss, employees, and cattle, and to avoid bloodshed. I see The Virginian on a Heroine's Journey despite his being a cis white het male, because he always tries networking, delegating by skills, and communication to solve the problems. When his efforts don't work, he is sometimes forced to kill in self-defense a toxic, tragic hero-wannabe--even a few friends who just won't listen to him. Due to the requirements of the genre (serial love interests), he also never gets the girl, but always sends her on her way to better things by her own choice, or he buries her. But he always goes back to his "family" in the bunkhouse, the big house, and the town. Not all the episodes follow this pattern, but many of the ones that feature the Virginian do.
If you write, READ THIS BOOK. If you watch as much TV as I do, READ THIS BOOK, and you'll never see stories the same way.
Carriger writes both for reader/viewer/listeners as well as for writers to recognize the different "chassis" of story building.
She clearly delineates the concept of the gendered narrative as men, women, and non-binary beings can be either heroes or heroines, depending on how they define and approach their goals. She provides excellent examples of each from popular books and movies, as well as literary references in a very readable (may I say a bit snarky) style, much as she does in her novels. The reference page is a hoot.
I find her explanation helpful on my own work-in-progress as a heroine's journey, and in recognizing the structures of stories as I binge-watch streaming media.
For example, I've been watching the 60s TV western "The Virginian," about a nameless trail boss/ranch foreman, played by James Drury, whose first aim is always to get people work out differences, to keep peace, to protect his boss, employees, and cattle, and to avoid bloodshed. I see The Virginian on a Heroine's Journey despite his being a cis white het male, because he always tries networking, delegating by skills, and communication to solve the problems. When his efforts don't work, he is sometimes forced to kill in self-defense a toxic, tragic hero-wannabe--even a few friends who just won't listen to him. Due to the requirements of the genre (serial love interests), he also never gets the girl, but always sends her on her way to better things by her own choice, or he buries her. But he always goes back to his "family" in the bunkhouse, the big house, and the town. Not all the episodes follow this pattern, but many of the ones that feature the Virginian do.
If you write, READ THIS BOOK. If you watch as much TV as I do, READ THIS BOOK, and you'll never see stories the same way.
December 23, 2020
This will hold a place of honor on my shelf next to Stephen King's On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft. Never mind that it must be a mental shelf since I only have an ebook of this title, but this may be one of the most helpful, illuminating and enlightening books about writing I have ever read.
Carriger explains what I search for in books in a way that makes me question myself for not seeing this before. Of course women can be on a hero's journey. Of course men can be on a heroine's journey! It's the qualities of the journey itself that label it, not the sex of the person on the journey. The fact that Carriger also, quite easily, erases gender and sex from the classification made me feel vindicated in my opinions. I've felt this! I always thought I must be mistaken, but Carriger shows me I was not. A hero's journey is isolating and ends with a personal boon, while a heroine's journey requires a team and a boon to benefit so many more than just the heroine herself.
While On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft is about the actual craft of getting down to doing the thing, this book helps the reader identify what they are looking for and reading. This book helps a reader to make informed decisions regarding their entertainment and to recognize what they are hungry for. Carriger does not attempt to prove either the Hero or Heroine's journey as better than the other, but instead to show us there is a place for both. It's just best, that we as readers/watchers, know what it is that we are reading/watching, so we can more easily find what we want.
Carriger explains what I search for in books in a way that makes me question myself for not seeing this before. Of course women can be on a hero's journey. Of course men can be on a heroine's journey! It's the qualities of the journey itself that label it, not the sex of the person on the journey. The fact that Carriger also, quite easily, erases gender and sex from the classification made me feel vindicated in my opinions. I've felt this! I always thought I must be mistaken, but Carriger shows me I was not. A hero's journey is isolating and ends with a personal boon, while a heroine's journey requires a team and a boon to benefit so many more than just the heroine herself.
While On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft is about the actual craft of getting down to doing the thing, this book helps the reader identify what they are looking for and reading. This book helps a reader to make informed decisions regarding their entertainment and to recognize what they are hungry for. Carriger does not attempt to prove either the Hero or Heroine's journey as better than the other, but instead to show us there is a place for both. It's just best, that we as readers/watchers, know what it is that we are reading/watching, so we can more easily find what we want.
February 11, 2021
A really excellent primer on a narrative structure that's familiar to romance readers, but has gotten short shrift (and not even a name before this!) in comparison to Joseph Campbell's The Hero's Journey--because patriarchy. Carriger is very, very careful to stress that a heroine does not have to be biologically female (nor does a hero have to be male) and uses examples to show this. And she takes serious aim at the misogyny and patriarchy that prioritizes the hero's journey and diminishes the heroine's journey faces, but gives heroine's journey writers ways to protect their narrative. While this isn't a writing how-to book, I would definitely recommend it to romance writers to understand the theoretical underpinnings of the romance structure, which is virtually always a heroine's journey.
November 25, 2020
One of my favorite writing craft books, I enjoyed reading about the long history of the Heroine's Journey story beats, themes, and goals. I liked the comparison of the myths of Demeter, Inanna, and Isis, as well as showing the path through pop culture books, including Twilight and Harry Potter. Why would anyone want a journey of a solo journey that ends up with the protagonist alone and sad when you could read a story that seeks community, compromise, and comfort?
April 8, 2021
This book was a revelation--no wonder I always struggle with the Hero's Journey--I write Heroine's Journeys!!!! Reading this was like finding my way home. ❤️ I highly recommend it to all writers--whatever journey you're on.
August 13, 2022
Absolutely fascinating. I didn't know reading about genres could be so interesting. Gail Carriger deconstructs the Hero and Heroine's Journey and uses pop culture examples, and goes in depth to provide writing advice and analysis of the Heroine's Journey. In short, the Hero's Journey defines success as (solitary) victory, triumph, power (Batman); it generates feelings of excitement for readers. Narrative endpoints often see the hero alone or so changed from the journey he can no longer return (Frodo).
The Heroine's journey defines success as connection, belonging, family (blood or found); it generates feelings of comfort for readers. Narrative endpoints often see the heroine with community, family, friends, etc. Think Harry Potter, or the typical romance novel trajectory. Detective novels also fall under this category, which does make a lot of sense to me.
Carriger talked about crossovers between the two genres, which was very fascinating and illuminating. And honestly this explained to me why I like the books I like, because of the feeling of comfort and connection.
I lowkey kind of wish this was a bit more concise but nonetheless, I managed to read the whole book continuously despite being in a reading slump. How do I find more books like this...
The Heroine's journey defines success as connection, belonging, family (blood or found); it generates feelings of comfort for readers. Narrative endpoints often see the heroine with community, family, friends, etc. Think Harry Potter, or the typical romance novel trajectory. Detective novels also fall under this category, which does make a lot of sense to me.
Carriger talked about crossovers between the two genres, which was very fascinating and illuminating. And honestly this explained to me why I like the books I like, because of the feeling of comfort and connection.
I lowkey kind of wish this was a bit more concise but nonetheless, I managed to read the whole book continuously despite being in a reading slump. How do I find more books like this...
July 26, 2023
3.5 stars
I saw my friend Grace reading this book and I immediately pounced on a copy, because I'd never heard of this concept before: the Heroine's Journey as opposed to the Hero's. It was mind-opening. I was surprised to notice that some of the aspects of the romance I'm currently writing fit perfectly on the Heroine's Journey. The analysis of how the journey fits with some ancient myths plus pop culture iconic series, like HP and Twilight, provided clear examples. Short chapters and a lighthearted tone ensured a swift pace.
I found parts of this book repetitive but overall the concept gave me food for thought, hence the 4 stars. I've read loads and loads of writing craft books to the point that most have nothing new to offer to me, but this one gave me something to chew on.
I saw my friend Grace reading this book and I immediately pounced on a copy, because I'd never heard of this concept before: the Heroine's Journey as opposed to the Hero's. It was mind-opening. I was surprised to notice that some of the aspects of the romance I'm currently writing fit perfectly on the Heroine's Journey. The analysis of how the journey fits with some ancient myths plus pop culture iconic series, like HP and Twilight, provided clear examples. Short chapters and a lighthearted tone ensured a swift pace.
I found parts of this book repetitive but overall the concept gave me food for thought, hence the 4 stars. I've read loads and loads of writing craft books to the point that most have nothing new to offer to me, but this one gave me something to chew on.
December 23, 2020
One of my most anticipated reads this year and Gail did not disappoint. She does an excellent job of defining the Heroine's Journey, providing classic and modern examples, and giving authors a strong heading in where to take their own stories next using this model.
I'm glad I bought a physical edition because I will proudly display this one on my shelf and I know I'll reference it regularly. I highly recommend this book if you're a writer or just love literary analysis.
I'm glad I bought a physical edition because I will proudly display this one on my shelf and I know I'll reference it regularly. I highly recommend this book if you're a writer or just love literary analysis.
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