The Red Shoes: On Torment and the Recovery of Soul Life

by Clarissa Pinkola Estés

The Red Shoes is a dramatic excursion into the realm of the soul with analyst Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes. Using an ancient tale deeply rooted in our collective psyches, Dr. Estes illuminates how people fall prey to destructive impulses while seeking to balance their inner lives. In our culture, she begins, we may travel life's path in one of two ways: in handmade shoes, crafted with love and care according to the unique needs of the individual soul; or in Red Shoes, which promise instant fulfillment, but ultimately lead to a painful, hollow, and split existence. Drawing from real-world examples such as the tragic death of Janis Joplin, Dr. Estes analyzes the deeply seated needs that lead to addiction. By listening to your instinctive forces, she says, you can free yourself of the exterior traps that torment and destroy the soul. This is the way to construct a life that is uniquely your own; a life made by hand. The Red Shoes is a treasury of ideas and counsel, threaded with magical storytelling, about the complete life each one of us deserves to lead.Additional contents: The Internal Predator; how instincts are injured; learning to say no; the exile; vulnerability and seduction; feral women; and more."

Genres: Nonfiction, Spirituality, Psychology, Audiobook, Self Help, Poetry, Feminism

1 pages, Audio CD

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

An American poet, psychoanalyst and post-trauma specialist who was raised in now nearly vanished oral and ethnic traditions. She is a first-generation American who grew up in a rural village, population 600, near the Great Lakes. Of Mexican mestiza and majority Magyar and minority Swabian tribal heritages, she comes from immigrant and refugee families who could not read or write, or who did so haltingly. Much of her writing is influenced by her family people who were farmers, shepherds, hopsmeisters, wheelwrights, weavers, orchardists, tailors, cabinet makers, lacemakers, knitters, and horsemen and horsewomen from the Old Countries.

Reviews

[Pam Frost Gorder · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Origins of self-destructive behavior"

This review is for the Audible version of the story. I'm a fan of Dr. E., and I've "attended" her live webcasts at Sounds True. I could listen to her voice for hours and hours (and come to think of it, I guess I have!). Here, Dr. E. delves into the issue of why we sometimes sabotage ourselves and how we might begin to change this behavior. This book is on par with the rest of her work, and though it is short, every time I listen to it, I pick up on something I missed the last time. I recommend it for repeat listens.

[Baroness · Rating 4 out of 5]

This woman is a treasure. Her story telling is of the old ways. You will question who you are and what you truly desire. You will be consumed with many thoughts and emotions that will encourage you to break free from your darkest enslavement....

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

It helped me to remember to remove that/those who do not serve me, and to preserve myself. That alone is worth a 5 star rating.

[Analiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first exposure to Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés work: I love her and I loved this audiobook. The idea of feral women - women who were once free, captured, over domesticated, freed again, and then unable to protect themselves because of their injured instinct - felt like a mirror and in the reflection I saw myself. Also, the idea that we can heal our injured instincts by looking at how animals behave in the wild when they are defending themselves/children/food was absolutely fascinating and in line with some of the work I've been looking at from Peter Lavine & Kimberly Ann Johnson. The story portion of The Red Shoes was honestly terrifying, but I really loved hearing Dr. Pinkola Estés analysis and hopeful conclusion in regards to the actual end of the story (which is missing). I think I will need to listen to this one several times. There were gold nuggets that stuck out to me based on where I am right now in my life, but I think there will always be something new for me to take in regards to how and why I self sabotage.

[Donna M Rudiger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have listened to these audio tapes several times over the last ten years, but most recently after ending several toxic relationships in my life during the pandemic. Without getting into deep detailed analysis of my personal experience, I want to say that listening to Clarissa's voice is always soothing to me.....like chatting with an old friend who fully understands me and is helping me reach my highest potential. The most profound thing I re-learned, again!, from this story, having been a dancer for 16 years during childhood and adolescence, is.....when I desire something or someone in my life to the point of idolatry and obsession, it/she/he will ultimately consume me and prevent the completion of the divine task I was put here to execute. I have made new commitments to myself and the Divine Mother to finish the work I have been given to do as soon as possible. I hope you'll benefit from the wisdom of my feedback!

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

The format is the same deal as always with Pinkola Estes - using tales to illuminate our psyche's operation. I have the same general evaluation as Warming the Stone Child .

In this audio however Pinkola Estes touches on the addictive parts of us, that have desperate need for something we did not obtain early in our lives, and how these manifest later in the futile attempts we make to fulfill these needs. The tale of Red Shoes depicts only the process of how we harm ourselves in the very act of trying to fulfill our unmet needs. Pinkola Estes goes on to suggest some ways out of this dilemma.

[Mckinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spirit can be hurt but the soul can't be harmed. Develop self and psyche.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her gift of storytelling and weaving wisdom for sustained life change is remarkable. I will utilize several of the exercises (at least as I perceive them as instruments of discovery) for a long time coming. A book to listen to over and over.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book for anyone who feels weighed down by the trauma they’ve experienced in life. It speaks on repairing one’s soul after such experiences.

The audiobook was a first for me, but was a quick listen (1hr 14m).

[Filippa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful, rich, insightful piece - full of symbolism and delving into the psyche. Would definitely recommend to anyone!

[Carla Manly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely stunning...such beauty and depth!

[Kae]

Just beautiful.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful, important.

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great book about soul starvation, recovery and taking care of your creative fire.

[Tessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was not bad, but the version of this story in Women who run with the wolves is better so I can't give it a full mark, but it was an ok listen.

[Celtic Goddess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Audio Book truly gives profound insight into the reasons women turn to unhealthy, addictive behaviors in a desperate response to not receiving the love and emotional/physical attention needed as a child. I was moved by this books ability to demonstrate through story the etiology of destructive patterns of behavior that so many succumb to in a desperate attempt to feed the starving soul within.

[Susie]

someone suggested this... so I'm getting the piece of paper off my desk

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommended.

[Lucy Shaughnessy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sooo good!! ✨