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Que hable Casandra
What story would Eve have told about picking the apple? Why is Pandora blamed for opening the box? And what about the fate of Cassandra who was blessed with knowing the future but cursed so that no one believed her? What if women had been the storytellers?
Elizabeth Lesser believes that if women’s voices had been equally heard and respected throughout history, humankind would have followed different hero myths and guiding stories—stories that value caretaking, champion compassion, and elevate communication over vengeance and violence.
Cassandra Speaks is about the stories we tell and how those stories become the culture. It’s about the stories we still blindly cling to, and the ones that cling to us: the origin tales, the guiding myths, the religious parables, the literature and films and fairy tales passed down through the centuries about women and men, power and war, sex and love, and the values we live by. Stories written mostly by men with lessons and laws for all of humanity. We have outgrown so many of them, and still they endure. This book is about what happens when women are the storytellers too—when we speak from our authentic voices, when we flex our values, when we become protagonists in the tales we tell about what it means to be human.
Lesser has walked two main paths in her life—the spiritual path and the feminist one—paths that sometimes cross but sometimes feel at cross-purposes. Cassandra Speaks is her extraordinary merging of the two. The bestselling author of Broken Open and Marrow, Lesser is a beloved spiritual writer, as well as a leading feminist thinker. In this book she gives equal voice to the cool water of her meditative self and the fire of her feminist self. With her trademark gifts of both humor and insight, she offers a vision that transcends the either/or ideologies on both sides of the gender debate.
Brilliantly structured into three distinct parts, Part One explores how history is carried forward through the stories a culture tells and values, and what we can do to balance the scales. Part Two looks at women and power and expands what it means to be courageous, daring, and strong. And Part Three offers “A Toolbox for Inner Strength.” Lesser argues that change in the culture starts with inner change, and that no one—woman or man—is immune to the corrupting influence of power. She provides inner tools to help us be both strong-willed and kind-hearted.
Cassandra Speaks is a beautifully balanced synthesis of storytelling, memoir, and cultural observation. Women, men and all people will find themselves in the pages of this book, and will come away strengthened, opened, and ready to work together to create a better world for all people.
better world for all.
Elizabeth Lesser believes that if women’s voices had been equally heard and respected throughout history, humankind would have followed different hero myths and guiding stories—stories that value caretaking, champion compassion, and elevate communication over vengeance and violence.
Cassandra Speaks is about the stories we tell and how those stories become the culture. It’s about the stories we still blindly cling to, and the ones that cling to us: the origin tales, the guiding myths, the religious parables, the literature and films and fairy tales passed down through the centuries about women and men, power and war, sex and love, and the values we live by. Stories written mostly by men with lessons and laws for all of humanity. We have outgrown so many of them, and still they endure. This book is about what happens when women are the storytellers too—when we speak from our authentic voices, when we flex our values, when we become protagonists in the tales we tell about what it means to be human.
Lesser has walked two main paths in her life—the spiritual path and the feminist one—paths that sometimes cross but sometimes feel at cross-purposes. Cassandra Speaks is her extraordinary merging of the two. The bestselling author of Broken Open and Marrow, Lesser is a beloved spiritual writer, as well as a leading feminist thinker. In this book she gives equal voice to the cool water of her meditative self and the fire of her feminist self. With her trademark gifts of both humor and insight, she offers a vision that transcends the either/or ideologies on both sides of the gender debate.
Brilliantly structured into three distinct parts, Part One explores how history is carried forward through the stories a culture tells and values, and what we can do to balance the scales. Part Two looks at women and power and expands what it means to be courageous, daring, and strong. And Part Three offers “A Toolbox for Inner Strength.” Lesser argues that change in the culture starts with inner change, and that no one—woman or man—is immune to the corrupting influence of power. She provides inner tools to help us be both strong-willed and kind-hearted.
Cassandra Speaks is a beautifully balanced synthesis of storytelling, memoir, and cultural observation. Women, men and all people will find themselves in the pages of this book, and will come away strengthened, opened, and ready to work together to create a better world for all people.
better world for all.
325 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2020
846 people are currently reading
12374 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 838 reviews
March 1, 2021
DNF 50%
I really wanted to like this one, but it seemed to be a distracted collection of essays on the author's loose musings on how women's voices are often ignored and demeaned throughout mainly Western history.
This collection was only slightly grounded in myths, religions, and legends, and moreso focused on the author's personal thoughts, which is fine, but this made each essay a bit confusing in its thesis. Additionally, I found my views not to be in accordance with Lesser, so by the end of each piece, I was more confused than convinced of her points. To specify, Lesser mentions some questionable gender brain science which I've read conflicting research on, very specific assertions on religion (and again, criticism and personal insight is fine! But her analyses are done rather sloppily and don't differentiate between religious texts and how they've been historically interpreted and used/abused. Religious feminists exist and listening to them and their interpretations may have strengthened this section.), and while I wholeheartedly agree that we live in a society that denigrates characteristics and behavior we've labeled as "feminine," her insistence on how women are inherently nurturing, caring, and kind - with an inevitable future as mothers -- is very gender essentialist to me and does more harm than good. Though there are times Lesser backtracks from this in discussions on masculinity later on, this book overall reads like a seesaw of gender essentialism and it leaves me wondering which messages Lesser truly wants to send.
Reading this book, I knew that as a non-white, chronically ill woman who doesn't want to be a mother . . . these essays were not meant to represent nor liberate me. And I know I won't be the only one. It's uncomfortable knowing that a book on recognizing women's voices overlooks a lot of women's voices. Lesser acknowledges in her introduction that intersectionality is imperative in gender studies . . . but she doesn't quite seem to believe it in the following chapters.
Anyways, I wouldn't recommend this, for those familiar with feminist reads this won't be anything new. For those who aren't used to feminist texts, there are others I'd easily recommend instead, such as: Girlfighting by Lyn Mikel Brown, Thick by Tressie McMillan Cottom, Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez, Women, Race & Class by Angela Davis, Feminism and Nationalism in the Third World by Kumari Jayawardena, From Victims to Suspects by Shakira Hussein, and Invisible: How Young Women with Serious Health Issues Navigate Work, Relationships, and the Pressure to Seem Just Fine by Michele Lent Hirsch (also, anything by Rebecca Solnit).
I really wanted to like this one, but it seemed to be a distracted collection of essays on the author's loose musings on how women's voices are often ignored and demeaned throughout mainly Western history.
This collection was only slightly grounded in myths, religions, and legends, and moreso focused on the author's personal thoughts, which is fine, but this made each essay a bit confusing in its thesis. Additionally, I found my views not to be in accordance with Lesser, so by the end of each piece, I was more confused than convinced of her points. To specify, Lesser mentions some questionable gender brain science which I've read conflicting research on, very specific assertions on religion (and again, criticism and personal insight is fine! But her analyses are done rather sloppily and don't differentiate between religious texts and how they've been historically interpreted and used/abused. Religious feminists exist and listening to them and their interpretations may have strengthened this section.), and while I wholeheartedly agree that we live in a society that denigrates characteristics and behavior we've labeled as "feminine," her insistence on how women are inherently nurturing, caring, and kind - with an inevitable future as mothers -- is very gender essentialist to me and does more harm than good. Though there are times Lesser backtracks from this in discussions on masculinity later on, this book overall reads like a seesaw of gender essentialism and it leaves me wondering which messages Lesser truly wants to send.
Reading this book, I knew that as a non-white, chronically ill woman who doesn't want to be a mother . . . these essays were not meant to represent nor liberate me. And I know I won't be the only one. It's uncomfortable knowing that a book on recognizing women's voices overlooks a lot of women's voices. Lesser acknowledges in her introduction that intersectionality is imperative in gender studies . . . but she doesn't quite seem to believe it in the following chapters.
Anyways, I wouldn't recommend this, for those familiar with feminist reads this won't be anything new. For those who aren't used to feminist texts, there are others I'd easily recommend instead, such as: Girlfighting by Lyn Mikel Brown, Thick by Tressie McMillan Cottom, Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez, Women, Race & Class by Angela Davis, Feminism and Nationalism in the Third World by Kumari Jayawardena, From Victims to Suspects by Shakira Hussein, and Invisible: How Young Women with Serious Health Issues Navigate Work, Relationships, and the Pressure to Seem Just Fine by Michele Lent Hirsch (also, anything by Rebecca Solnit).
November 10, 2020
This is not about women. This is about being human. And more importantly it's about redefining power in a more broad, constructive, and empathetic way than we are used to:
Lesser encourage us to support and celebrate not ONLY the masculine way of life but ALSO the feminine stories, characteristics, and views of the world. To get the WHOLE story.
Some quotes:
"many of the creation myths from our earlier ancestors—the indigenous, pre-colonized peoples from cultures around the world—painted a different picture of the origin of women and men, and their worth and roles. In many of those stories, neither sex was created to dominate the other. Both men and women shared the responsibility to help the community survive, thrive, and connect with the sacred."
"Domination and control have become synonymous with power, but power does not have to come at the expense of others; it does not have to oppress in order to express. The urges to subjugate, punish, or annihilate are corrupted versions of power."
"When I say we need new-thinking leaders, that’s different from saying we need women to lead. All genders are capable of being wise and open and communicative, of shaping a new power story. But I believe a whole lot of women have ready access to this consciousness if we trust who we are and say what we know."
"Who said that being strong and silent is better than being vulnerable and communicative? How about being all of that—sometimes strong, sometimes vulnerable; sometimes silent, sometimes willing and able to share, talk, commiserate, communicate?"
Word, Elizabeth Lesser ✌️
Lesser encourage us to support and celebrate not ONLY the masculine way of life but ALSO the feminine stories, characteristics, and views of the world. To get the WHOLE story.
Some quotes:
"many of the creation myths from our earlier ancestors—the indigenous, pre-colonized peoples from cultures around the world—painted a different picture of the origin of women and men, and their worth and roles. In many of those stories, neither sex was created to dominate the other. Both men and women shared the responsibility to help the community survive, thrive, and connect with the sacred."
"Domination and control have become synonymous with power, but power does not have to come at the expense of others; it does not have to oppress in order to express. The urges to subjugate, punish, or annihilate are corrupted versions of power."
"When I say we need new-thinking leaders, that’s different from saying we need women to lead. All genders are capable of being wise and open and communicative, of shaping a new power story. But I believe a whole lot of women have ready access to this consciousness if we trust who we are and say what we know."
"Who said that being strong and silent is better than being vulnerable and communicative? How about being all of that—sometimes strong, sometimes vulnerable; sometimes silent, sometimes willing and able to share, talk, commiserate, communicate?"
Word, Elizabeth Lesser ✌️
November 10, 2020
As a man who writes women, I feel like this is required reading. From cave paintings, to myths, to beyond, the way women are presented and erased and how stories change when they're considered the hero of the tale. My one complaint is that the author would preface a chapter with a quote, and then repeat the same quote multiple times throughout the chapter. I don't know if it was an attempt to make it a mantra or just drive home the theme, but it was overblown. Still, an unquestionable five-star read.
May 26, 2021
This is one of those books that I wonder if I read something else than everyone who loved it. I just did not care for this book. The synopsis of the book gave me a drastically different expectation of what I thought I'd be reading (retellings of myths and stories but more centered on a woman's perspective rather than a man's and how they can apply to us today) and instead was bummed that it was essentially a self-help book that I didn't really want.
March 8, 2021
The beginning started strong; Lesser had me pulled in with the ancient connection to the feminine portrayal in myth. The parts of her book that were storytelling and objective are great. When the book turns to subjective voice, she quickly lost me. I found her to be overly concerned with words and word policing. As an example, she has a strong stance on war references and "glorification" of war as inherently violent. As a woman who loves history (all kinds), I spend a great deal of time reading war stories and there is so much she's missing: humanity, futility, bravery, struggle, defense, awakening, redefining, building, sacrifice, nurturing, and rising above. Her section on rewriting your life was equally lacking. Almost everything she toted as revolutionary are things most women already do everyday, consciously or unconsciously.
I so wanted to love this because I loved the foundation of this being feminine mythology. It was disappointing.
Plus side: It was a very fast read though; an average reader could read this in an afternoon.
I so wanted to love this because I loved the foundation of this being feminine mythology. It was disappointing.
Plus side: It was a very fast read though; an average reader could read this in an afternoon.
Want to read
October 31, 2020Am I going to read this because my name is Cassandra? Yes.
April 9, 2021
3.5. Started out strong but she lost me about halfway through when it became more self-helpy. Still worth a read but I wanted to know more about Pandora and Cassandra and the language of our myths, could have skipped the meditations.
November 9, 2024
2nd Re-read (partly) in 2024
Re-read 2022.
2021:
Some parts were a bit too fluffy and new age-y for me but the rest I really enjoyed.
3.5*
Re-read 2022.
2021:
Some parts were a bit too fluffy and new age-y for me but the rest I really enjoyed.
3.5*
December 30, 2021
A monumental let down. Maybe the author doesn't have control over the inside flap blurb, or any of the PR info, but this book was WILDLY different from what it lead readers to think it would be. As many reviewers already noted, it begins just as the cover insinuates: examining details in the myths of Eve, Pandora, Cassandra, Galatea. Perhaps the readings are a bit shallow, and lacking in citations for various versions/translations/sources, but they're interesting enough to see how yeah, that affected Western culture in an extremely negative way.
But at the 1/4 mark I realized...that was it. The rest of the book was a generalizing rallying call about how there aren't enough women's myths from women's perspectives, women's stories aren't listened to or valued, and how that needs to change. Okay, and?
Many of the rave reviews here look like they're from much younger people, perhaps people who haven't yet read more inclusive works of feminist literature, or even classics on the subject. Heck, for all it's (extensive) faults, I felt that Women Who Run With Wolves had more to say than this did.
This book felt like the papers I wrote in my first couple years of undergrad where I'd come up with a thesis, present it, and realize that I didn't have enough talking points. Normally, a writer scraps or reworks the thesis, to fit what the data or evidence says instead, or else waits until they've found enough to prove their original point, but Lesser instead writes a rant that lacks any firm conclusion.
AND her bit about "I googled best books and they're all by MEN!" sounds like a take I'd expect from an undergrad in women's studies, not someone who spent their life in the field. The POINT is to expand upon what we consider great works of art and literature, not replace literature by/for men entirely with women's. You can have a class on great works of Western lit that covers Melville and Morrison.
Her take on feminism lacked nuance, and (she admits it in the prologue!) represents a very dated, upper-middle class, WASP-y brand of feminism with little room for a wider definition of 'women' as it applies to anyone who doesn't live the 'daughter-wife-mother-crone' life cycle.
I don't think any of this was malicious, I don't think she purposefully excluded women of color and LGBT* women (she even mentions more than once that things are significantly more difficult for women who aren't straight/white), but to approach such a vast topic and then spit out the SAME statements that have been screamed from the mountains for fifty years comes across as a waste of paper. I'm returning my copy to the bookstore.
TLDR: This is NOT a book about women story tellers, women writers, mythology about women, or reexamining folkloric archetypes. It's a generic rant about...feminism? I guess? Kudos to the person who designed the US dust jacket though, it's a gorgeous book.
But at the 1/4 mark I realized...that was it. The rest of the book was a generalizing rallying call about how there aren't enough women's myths from women's perspectives, women's stories aren't listened to or valued, and how that needs to change. Okay, and?
Many of the rave reviews here look like they're from much younger people, perhaps people who haven't yet read more inclusive works of feminist literature, or even classics on the subject. Heck, for all it's (extensive) faults, I felt that Women Who Run With Wolves had more to say than this did.
This book felt like the papers I wrote in my first couple years of undergrad where I'd come up with a thesis, present it, and realize that I didn't have enough talking points. Normally, a writer scraps or reworks the thesis, to fit what the data or evidence says instead, or else waits until they've found enough to prove their original point, but Lesser instead writes a rant that lacks any firm conclusion.
AND her bit about "I googled best books and they're all by MEN!" sounds like a take I'd expect from an undergrad in women's studies, not someone who spent their life in the field. The POINT is to expand upon what we consider great works of art and literature, not replace literature by/for men entirely with women's. You can have a class on great works of Western lit that covers Melville and Morrison.
Her take on feminism lacked nuance, and (she admits it in the prologue!) represents a very dated, upper-middle class, WASP-y brand of feminism with little room for a wider definition of 'women' as it applies to anyone who doesn't live the 'daughter-wife-mother-crone' life cycle.
I don't think any of this was malicious, I don't think she purposefully excluded women of color and LGBT* women (she even mentions more than once that things are significantly more difficult for women who aren't straight/white), but to approach such a vast topic and then spit out the SAME statements that have been screamed from the mountains for fifty years comes across as a waste of paper. I'm returning my copy to the bookstore.
TLDR: This is NOT a book about women story tellers, women writers, mythology about women, or reexamining folkloric archetypes. It's a generic rant about...feminism? I guess? Kudos to the person who designed the US dust jacket though, it's a gorgeous book.
May 13, 2024
An approachable introduction to celebrating women's voices and aspiring to change the world.
This book features in my Spring TBR video on BookTube.🌷
"When you make a study of a wide range of the old stories, it is stunning to see how many of them serve as warnings against women doing "unfeminine" things, like speaking, or claiming autonomy over our bodies and sexuality, or being gallant."
What I expected from this book: I thought this book would include classic stories retold from female characters' perspectives to provide insights on how their view would alter the story.
What I actually got from this book: A light introduction to how women's voices have been silenced throughout much of human history, why society has suffered because of that, and how we can begin enacting change. And all of this is interwoven with elements of memoir.
The book is divided into three parts:
Part I examines some familiar female characters: Cassandra, Galatea, Superwoman, etc. and explores how women have suffered in these stories or have been portrayed ineffectively because the stories were written by men. [If you've already read books that touch on this issue, you will find no new ground covered here.]
Part II examines power dynamics, exposes how literature is used to perpetuate harmful views toward wielding power, and urges readers to consider a world where being compassionate is viewed as more powerful than having a desire to conquer. [This was the most fascinating section for me, as it includes some shocking excerpts from literature typically assigned in high schools and universities. Is this really what we're teaching students? No wonder men keep starting wars and sitting back while millions die needlessly.]
Part III offers some suggestions for change as well as tips on how to meditate and find inner acceptance. [For me, this was the least compelling part of the book and felt incongruous with what the blurb suggested the book would offer.]
Overall: An insightful book, one that would be a great introduction to people just starting to consider how women have been silenced throughout history and why it's imperative for the survival of our species to start implementing new ways of thinking.
This book features in my Spring TBR video on BookTube.🌷
"When you make a study of a wide range of the old stories, it is stunning to see how many of them serve as warnings against women doing "unfeminine" things, like speaking, or claiming autonomy over our bodies and sexuality, or being gallant."
What I expected from this book: I thought this book would include classic stories retold from female characters' perspectives to provide insights on how their view would alter the story.
What I actually got from this book: A light introduction to how women's voices have been silenced throughout much of human history, why society has suffered because of that, and how we can begin enacting change. And all of this is interwoven with elements of memoir.
The book is divided into three parts:
Part I examines some familiar female characters: Cassandra, Galatea, Superwoman, etc. and explores how women have suffered in these stories or have been portrayed ineffectively because the stories were written by men. [If you've already read books that touch on this issue, you will find no new ground covered here.]
Part II examines power dynamics, exposes how literature is used to perpetuate harmful views toward wielding power, and urges readers to consider a world where being compassionate is viewed as more powerful than having a desire to conquer. [This was the most fascinating section for me, as it includes some shocking excerpts from literature typically assigned in high schools and universities. Is this really what we're teaching students? No wonder men keep starting wars and sitting back while millions die needlessly.]
Part III offers some suggestions for change as well as tips on how to meditate and find inner acceptance. [For me, this was the least compelling part of the book and felt incongruous with what the blurb suggested the book would offer.]
Overall: An insightful book, one that would be a great introduction to people just starting to consider how women have been silenced throughout history and why it's imperative for the survival of our species to start implementing new ways of thinking.
July 18, 2020
Women are all Cassandras, blessed with foresight but cursed with the inability to get men to listen to them. We are weighed down by ancient myths and male-authored stories that persuade us that we are foolish, manipulative, and the weak. Lesser persuasively insists that it is time to jettison these stories and replace them with our own: stories that show the strength of cooperation and empathy; stories that show men can parent and keep house as well as women if they could only see past the stories they have been told about manhood.
The most important issue Lesser brings up is the need for women, for everyone, to do power differently.
The most important issue Lesser brings up is the need for women, for everyone, to do power differently.
reference
June 4, 2020i don't think i want to read this, but man do i love that cover
July 4, 2023
This was a solid, 5-star read until it bad-mouthed Wonder Woman.
The concept is this: how would our lives be different if women had been telling the stories along with men all these years? So many of our myths and legends come from the mouths and minds of men, yet women have been having different experiences right alongside them the entire time, so how could fair representation of this shared experience shape the world we live in??
What I appreciated most about this feminist book is that it's NOT anti-men. It's about EQUAL contribution, which happens to involve allowing women more space to speak and share. It talks about the traditionally 'female' traits of care, compassion, nurture; expressing feelings and being open; and how we encourage these traits in men yet criticise those who show vulnerability. I really appreciated that this book took the time to raise those kind of points while still emphasising how women's voices have been silenced over the centuries.
The first part of the story focuses on myths featuring well-known women - Eve, Pandora, Galatea and Cassandra. Easily my favourite part to read, this delves into how these myths are reflected in today's male-dominated society. I really enjoyed reading the comparisons and implications and honestly I wish there were more. I thought this would make up more of the book but sadly it represents only half.
When we got to the discourse on Wonder Woman, and how perhaps she should have used her godly powers to get everyone to sit down and talk about their feelings, I started to disagree a little, and the shine wore off. I understand where the sentiment was coming from, but Wonder Woman was created for entertainment, and she's already an inspiring character to so many, including myself. I don't think I'd be quite as interested in reading comics about people sitting around talking about their feelings, even if this would be a better use of superpowers in the real world. Reality is, action serves the comic format better than dialogue. So while I get the point of wanting less violence driving entertainment, this was a bad example. As such, I found myself more open to disagreeing with what I was reading, instead of just absorbing it as truth.
There are some great examples and some wise suggestions, but I think there's also a bias present that wasn't accounted for; the author talks of how prevalent war metaphors are, but I don't see it so much. I think that's perhaps because the author's generation grew up with war playing such a large part in their lives, so the metaphors may be common amongst her and those she speaks with but my experience isn't the same. She's also American where I'm Australian, and we all know how obsessed the USA seems to be with guns and violence. Here in Australia, we have metaphors about creeks and paddles, wool blindfolds and intercourse with spiders. (Also a whole bunch of other stuff I didn't realise was exclusive to Australia - thank you, Google.) So I think a geographical bias needs to be considered, as well as age and other factors that go towards determining a person's character beyond gender.
On the whole, though, this was a fantastic exploration of how the female influence could lead to more peaceful solutions and better equality amongst all humans. I really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend to those after a feminist novel that isn't curse with the 'angry feminist' vibe.
The concept is this: how would our lives be different if women had been telling the stories along with men all these years? So many of our myths and legends come from the mouths and minds of men, yet women have been having different experiences right alongside them the entire time, so how could fair representation of this shared experience shape the world we live in??
What I appreciated most about this feminist book is that it's NOT anti-men. It's about EQUAL contribution, which happens to involve allowing women more space to speak and share. It talks about the traditionally 'female' traits of care, compassion, nurture; expressing feelings and being open; and how we encourage these traits in men yet criticise those who show vulnerability. I really appreciated that this book took the time to raise those kind of points while still emphasising how women's voices have been silenced over the centuries.
The first part of the story focuses on myths featuring well-known women - Eve, Pandora, Galatea and Cassandra. Easily my favourite part to read, this delves into how these myths are reflected in today's male-dominated society. I really enjoyed reading the comparisons and implications and honestly I wish there were more. I thought this would make up more of the book but sadly it represents only half.
When we got to the discourse on Wonder Woman, and how perhaps she should have used her godly powers to get everyone to sit down and talk about their feelings, I started to disagree a little, and the shine wore off. I understand where the sentiment was coming from, but Wonder Woman was created for entertainment, and she's already an inspiring character to so many, including myself. I don't think I'd be quite as interested in reading comics about people sitting around talking about their feelings, even if this would be a better use of superpowers in the real world. Reality is, action serves the comic format better than dialogue. So while I get the point of wanting less violence driving entertainment, this was a bad example. As such, I found myself more open to disagreeing with what I was reading, instead of just absorbing it as truth.
There are some great examples and some wise suggestions, but I think there's also a bias present that wasn't accounted for; the author talks of how prevalent war metaphors are, but I don't see it so much. I think that's perhaps because the author's generation grew up with war playing such a large part in their lives, so the metaphors may be common amongst her and those she speaks with but my experience isn't the same. She's also American where I'm Australian, and we all know how obsessed the USA seems to be with guns and violence. Here in Australia, we have metaphors about creeks and paddles, wool blindfolds and intercourse with spiders. (Also a whole bunch of other stuff I didn't realise was exclusive to Australia - thank you, Google.) So I think a geographical bias needs to be considered, as well as age and other factors that go towards determining a person's character beyond gender.
On the whole, though, this was a fantastic exploration of how the female influence could lead to more peaceful solutions and better equality amongst all humans. I really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend to those after a feminist novel that isn't curse with the 'angry feminist' vibe.
September 26, 2025
This was very Feminism 101, Barbie Speechesque
February 6, 2021
This is about as feminist as a pyramid scheme. Hippie Dippie nonsense promising to give you empowering retellings of classic myths from the female perspective but really is just a collection of mediocre short-essays about what someone has learned after a cheeky little visit to Google.com. Nothing of substance. I must have been very privileged to grow up with some common sense because being told to "stop whining." was not some mystical revelation I had only after already being a grown-ass woman for who-knows-how-many years. Whatever, I understand people learn at different paces, so I won't fault her for that. But, if you ARE such a feminist, and this piece of advice was so striking, don't you want to tell us the name of this professor who enlightened you? Ya know, give credit where credit is due? I actually really wanted to look her up but couldn't. Maybe it's hidden somewhere in the acknowledgements of which I couldn't bother to do more than skim. The pages right after Lesser advises you to Breath in five different ways. This entire book HONESTLY felt like I was being talked to the way sexist men talk to me. Mansplaining, except from a woman so just plain ol' condescending with a nice touch of politeness. The fact that she holds ENTIRE CONFERENCES where she feels she is TAKING A RISK by asking women to put their stuff on the ground and BREATH IS UNBELIEVABLE. Do people REALLY need SO MUCH of a guiding hand??????????
To sum up; Do Not Be Fooled, Dear Reader! There are no retellings of classic myths/stories in this waste of resources, only a summary of the myth as you know it and then a couple uninteresting paragraphs basically saying: "wHaT iF It'S LiKe tHiS wooOoAh." Nothing poignant. Just someone using an ounce of critical thinking sometimes. Don't act like you're some wise, all-knowing, feminine guru when you can't even grow your own spine. The girlies on tik tok did more for my feminism, and sense of self-empowerment during this quarantine when they told me I should start barking at men who try to cat call me.
If you want an actual myth-retelling from a ladies perspective, where you can also find some golden nuggets of inspiration to make you into a gallant; read Circe by Madeline Miller.
To sum up; Do Not Be Fooled, Dear Reader! There are no retellings of classic myths/stories in this waste of resources, only a summary of the myth as you know it and then a couple uninteresting paragraphs basically saying: "wHaT iF It'S LiKe tHiS wooOoAh." Nothing poignant. Just someone using an ounce of critical thinking sometimes. Don't act like you're some wise, all-knowing, feminine guru when you can't even grow your own spine. The girlies on tik tok did more for my feminism, and sense of self-empowerment during this quarantine when they told me I should start barking at men who try to cat call me.
If you want an actual myth-retelling from a ladies perspective, where you can also find some golden nuggets of inspiration to make you into a gallant; read Circe by Madeline Miller.
March 29, 2021
I don't know how to leave a review for this without breaking the first rule of "womanhood" - not trashing the work of another fellow woman.
I will try to be gentle & constructive, and say that I, personally, think that this book has an extremely niche target audience, more specifically, a book club that solely consists of the lovely yet desperate housewives of Wisteria Lane. So, since I'm not in that category, maybe that's why it didn't work for me.
This is a collection of personal reflection essays on feminism, but feminism 1.0 (and I'm being facetious, I don't actually attempt to file this book under any particular stream) - opening your eyes to that - oh snap, women have been treated differently throughout history. Nothing new or original, or remotely remarkable is said about feminism or issues women (all women, not the target audience) overcome. However, it also shouldn't be used as a stepping stone or an introductory book to feminism, because... it's doesn't define, explain, reference, or provide context to anything substantial other than a few greek myths (and I say that with all my love for greek mythology).
Once again, this is a personal journey book, not a feminism book. Yes, Cassandra's and Elizabeth's stories need to be said and heard, but very ironically, at the beginning of the book Elizabeth says "interesting how when the book is from a male perspective by a man it's of a historical significance. But when it's about or by a woman, it's just her story". Well, I'm very sorry, but this is just Elizabeth's story.
I will try to be gentle & constructive, and say that I, personally, think that this book has an extremely niche target audience, more specifically, a book club that solely consists of the lovely yet desperate housewives of Wisteria Lane. So, since I'm not in that category, maybe that's why it didn't work for me.
This is a collection of personal reflection essays on feminism, but feminism 1.0 (and I'm being facetious, I don't actually attempt to file this book under any particular stream) - opening your eyes to that - oh snap, women have been treated differently throughout history. Nothing new or original, or remotely remarkable is said about feminism or issues women (all women, not the target audience) overcome. However, it also shouldn't be used as a stepping stone or an introductory book to feminism, because... it's doesn't define, explain, reference, or provide context to anything substantial other than a few greek myths (and I say that with all my love for greek mythology).
Once again, this is a personal journey book, not a feminism book. Yes, Cassandra's and Elizabeth's stories need to be said and heard, but very ironically, at the beginning of the book Elizabeth says "interesting how when the book is from a male perspective by a man it's of a historical significance. But when it's about or by a woman, it's just her story". Well, I'm very sorry, but this is just Elizabeth's story.
October 8, 2025
This would probably be a great book to give teenage girls under the age of fourteen. It’s all incredibly primitive discussions of feminisms and mythology that doesn’t go any deeper than a blog post. It points out the obvious historical and social incidents of sexism (such as Chinese feet binding, biblical sexism, women writers not featuring on the most taught books at school, etc) but says absolutely nothing else. It’s a book featuring quite general knowledge about basic feminist talking points which would be a great primer for anyone who knows absolutely nothing about the topic. But I would say most of this has been covered by girls in school by the age of fifteen nowadays, but it would be a really fun text for a lot of them to read. That being said, it’s very much a a standard white feminist text, which goes over the basics whilst largely ignoring far more pertinent, and honestly, more interesting points of discussion.
Read
April 25, 2021DNF at 80%
I have so little left but I just can't with this anymore. It started out fine and then went slowly but surely downhill from there, straight into pure irritation and boredom. Every chapter starts with a quote from someone else which would be fine if anything meaningful would be added to that quote instead of circling back to it time and again from the author's inner ramblings.
Ramblings which were unstructured, superficial, and repetitive. And also heavily imbued with spirituality which is totally fine if that's your jam but it's not mine and it wasn't what I signed up for. I was looking for the intersection of social and literary commentary, the discussion of gender and power dynamics. Something with a little more meat and perspective, and not just "hey I had this thought while I was folding socks".
So this might be just partly me looking for something that this book is not and that's fine too. I just wanted more and didn't get it, so I'm cutting my losses, even if I only have 1 hour left of the audiobook.
I have so little left but I just can't with this anymore. It started out fine and then went slowly but surely downhill from there, straight into pure irritation and boredom. Every chapter starts with a quote from someone else which would be fine if anything meaningful would be added to that quote instead of circling back to it time and again from the author's inner ramblings.
Ramblings which were unstructured, superficial, and repetitive. And also heavily imbued with spirituality which is totally fine if that's your jam but it's not mine and it wasn't what I signed up for. I was looking for the intersection of social and literary commentary, the discussion of gender and power dynamics. Something with a little more meat and perspective, and not just "hey I had this thought while I was folding socks".
So this might be just partly me looking for something that this book is not and that's fine too. I just wanted more and didn't get it, so I'm cutting my losses, even if I only have 1 hour left of the audiobook.
January 31, 2021
"It's up to us to demand stories of love and justice, to read and watch them, to validate and elevate them. To pay attention to the women and men who are doing power differently, and to know their names."
Lesser beautifully intertwines her wisdom with humanity's patriarchal values to provide a cultural commentary on the stories we tell. She begins the book examining popular mythology's first or most culturally-significant women (Eve, Pandora, Cassandra), dives into what power means, and provides a guidebook for how to move forward and see our worlds through modified power and gender lenses. I appreciated her personal reflections throughout that truly brought the story home.
This book, excerpts, or at least the conversations it raises should be taught in university classrooms, especially in Y1 general curriculum.
Lesser beautifully intertwines her wisdom with humanity's patriarchal values to provide a cultural commentary on the stories we tell. She begins the book examining popular mythology's first or most culturally-significant women (Eve, Pandora, Cassandra), dives into what power means, and provides a guidebook for how to move forward and see our worlds through modified power and gender lenses. I appreciated her personal reflections throughout that truly brought the story home.
This book, excerpts, or at least the conversations it raises should be taught in university classrooms, especially in Y1 general curriculum.
March 29, 2021
The only reason I finished this is because it was short. Even so I probably shouldn't have wasted my time. This book is full of so much spiritual woo woo bullshit and #notallmen garbage. She literally says that she doesn't like the word patriarchy because it puts too much blame on men. Excuse me?!??! THAT'S THE POINT. I can't even get into all the problems in this book or I'll be here all day.
April 27, 2022
3,5
“A los humanos nos encantan las historias. Siempre nos han encantado. Las escribimos y las leemos, las contamos y las enseñamos, aprendemos de ellas y nos dejamos guiar por ellas”. Así empieza ‘Que hable Casandra’ un texto que no llega a ser ensayo o disertación, es más una charla con una amiga, donde la autora parte de varios mitos antiguos para analizar situaciones presentes. ¿Es posible que los mitos de la antigüedad influyan aún en nuestros días?
Los mitos servían para contar sucesos que eran inexplicables en ciertos momentos de la historia (la aparición del hombre en la Tierra, desastres naturales…), pero también para justificar actos, comportamientos y actitudes (normalmente injustificables), para legitimar poder… vaya, que “los que cuentan los relatos son seres humanos con motivaciones, convicciones firmes, intereses personales, egos que alimentar y sistemas que sostener”. Por ello, me ha resultado muy interesante y enriquecedor como la autora, lee los mitos poniendo el foco en ciertos personajes (mujeres, algunas las podéis ver en el carrusel) tratando de darles voz e iniciar así una reflexión.
La fuerza de este texto es tanto su capacidad de hacer un seguimiento de los mitos a través de la historia y conectarlos la actualidad; como hacerlo de una forma sumamente cercana, accesible y facilísima de leer, que hace que conectes con su voz desde la primera página.
No obstante, decir que el libro se divide en 3 partes. La primera, centrada en mitos y en la historia de mujeres actuales (para mi, de cinco estrellas); sin embargo, el resto, se acerca más al crecimiento personal. Y, aunque he sacado alguna reflexión, no ha sido tanto de mi interés. No hablo de calidad, simplemente que yo no soy lectora de este tipo de literatura, sin embargo, si eres fan, por ejemplo, Elizabeth Gilbert, te gustará cada página.
Cosas que me han fascinado:
-Conexión de mitos y presente
-La de mujeres increíbles que me ha descubierto
-Los capítulos dedicados a la literatura
-Alegato en contra de la historia única
En resumen, si algo esto os llama la atención, disfrutaréis mucho este libro. No hace falta conectar o estar de acuerdo en cada frase, pero saldrás de la lectura con nuevas perspectivas, ganas de aprender y darle una vuelta a no pocas cosas.
“A los humanos nos encantan las historias. Siempre nos han encantado. Las escribimos y las leemos, las contamos y las enseñamos, aprendemos de ellas y nos dejamos guiar por ellas”. Así empieza ‘Que hable Casandra’ un texto que no llega a ser ensayo o disertación, es más una charla con una amiga, donde la autora parte de varios mitos antiguos para analizar situaciones presentes. ¿Es posible que los mitos de la antigüedad influyan aún en nuestros días?
Los mitos servían para contar sucesos que eran inexplicables en ciertos momentos de la historia (la aparición del hombre en la Tierra, desastres naturales…), pero también para justificar actos, comportamientos y actitudes (normalmente injustificables), para legitimar poder… vaya, que “los que cuentan los relatos son seres humanos con motivaciones, convicciones firmes, intereses personales, egos que alimentar y sistemas que sostener”. Por ello, me ha resultado muy interesante y enriquecedor como la autora, lee los mitos poniendo el foco en ciertos personajes (mujeres, algunas las podéis ver en el carrusel) tratando de darles voz e iniciar así una reflexión.
La fuerza de este texto es tanto su capacidad de hacer un seguimiento de los mitos a través de la historia y conectarlos la actualidad; como hacerlo de una forma sumamente cercana, accesible y facilísima de leer, que hace que conectes con su voz desde la primera página.
No obstante, decir que el libro se divide en 3 partes. La primera, centrada en mitos y en la historia de mujeres actuales (para mi, de cinco estrellas); sin embargo, el resto, se acerca más al crecimiento personal. Y, aunque he sacado alguna reflexión, no ha sido tanto de mi interés. No hablo de calidad, simplemente que yo no soy lectora de este tipo de literatura, sin embargo, si eres fan, por ejemplo, Elizabeth Gilbert, te gustará cada página.
Cosas que me han fascinado:
-Conexión de mitos y presente
-La de mujeres increíbles que me ha descubierto
-Los capítulos dedicados a la literatura
-Alegato en contra de la historia única
En resumen, si algo esto os llama la atención, disfrutaréis mucho este libro. No hace falta conectar o estar de acuerdo en cada frase, pero saldrás de la lectura con nuevas perspectivas, ganas de aprender y darle una vuelta a no pocas cosas.
December 6, 2020
I really loved this book, I bought it blind because it called to my namesake, and I absolutely loved it from the first line. I thought the reflections on those first depictions of women in history were thought provoking and really carried throughout the authors own life and into the core message of the book. I think it's important to realize with any book of this nature that of course you are reading through the lens and tone of this specific speaker, but that doesn't make the story and the POV any less compelling.
I think regardless of whether you agree with everything the author states (of which I didn't) there is merit and something to learn and self reflect on in every chapter. I loved it and thought it was exceptionally powerful. Especially the first Part of the book imo is very strong.
I think regardless of whether you agree with everything the author states (of which I didn't) there is merit and something to learn and self reflect on in every chapter. I loved it and thought it was exceptionally powerful. Especially the first Part of the book imo is very strong.
March 23, 2021
I loved this book. The combination of cultural and religious mythological analysis and its effect on our present-day culture was very meaningful for me. It made me think deeply about stories I've read, analyzed, talked about, and referenced to consider why there are specific emphases on those stories and what they show us about ourselves. Lesser mixes in many experiences she has had in her own life that relate, but it didn't feel like it turned the book into a memoir (which is not what I was looking for here). There are many quotes and exercises from this book that will stay with me. I am trying so hard to unpack biases, judgements, and insecurity that have long been ingrained, and this book has (and will continue to) help me in this pursuit.
November 17, 2020
This is the best book I’ve read in a long time. What would the human story tell if women are the storytellers? Did Eve get the short end of the stick? (Yes, yes she did) I was deeply touched by Lesser’s prose and her storytelling.
I’ve been meditating on “Tell me to what you pay attention and I will tell you who you are.” What does our culture pay attention to? What do I pay attention to? Men are great but if you leave out women you leave our half of the experience to be human. In today’s world, we need women to dream and speak so that we can help the world heal.
I’ve been meditating on “Tell me to what you pay attention and I will tell you who you are.” What does our culture pay attention to? What do I pay attention to? Men are great but if you leave out women you leave our half of the experience to be human. In today’s world, we need women to dream and speak so that we can help the world heal.
January 12, 2021
This book is a must read. I’d say especially for anyone who chooses curriculum, anyone in a leadership position, but basically everyone who reads books needs to read this one and rethink what you know about our language and the stories we tell ourselves. How many war metaphors do you use in a day without thinking of it? Our world can me a much better place if we change what we think we know about it. This book is a great start.
March 7, 2021
This book highlights the eradicating of women from history and the women that made it through are vilified, infantilized, sexualized. This will make you mad, but it will also inspire you to reevaluate how you interact with our established male centric culture and even the very words you use. ( I had to erase (twice!) common sayings that are war and violence related). A good intro book for any budding feminist.
May 21, 2021
Rather rambling. But the message has stuck with me. Women should have the power. But the power should be different than how men do power. “It does not have to come at the expense of others, it does not have to oppress in order to express.” Make the power inclusive and empathetic. And we should stop using war metaphors. We use a lot of war and contact sports metaphors. Like the fight against cancer. Frontline. Bombshell. Straight shooter. Low blow. So be aware, speech has power.
June 28, 2021
Interesting concept for sure but only the first chapter or so was about females in myths. The rest of the book was just an essay of her opinions and ideas about how the world should be. It’s great she wants to undo the patriarchy but I’d have appreciated more concrete history of how things became how they are rather than just her saying the world came about wrong and should therefore change. Also, the end turned into guided meditations and that was weird.
June 10, 2021
dnf at 40%... this was honestly just a really rambling, really white take on feminism. the writing was distracted and meandering, but the thing that really put me off was the author flat-out stating they were not going to speak on intersectionality. honestly that's just lazy. you can’t write anything and call it feminist while also ignoring intersectionality.
March 10, 2022
Intento leer libros que tratan sobre mujeres y feminismo a lo largo de todo el año, pero si tengo una cita ineludible con este tema todos los años es cada 8 de marzo, por el día de la mujer. Honestamente creo que es una costumbre que va a ir desapareciendo de mi vida en los próximos años, porque creo que leer libros de esta temática debería hacerse con mucha frecuencia independientemente de la época o las celebraciones (y como digo antes, intento hacerlo así con frecuencia). No obstante, este año no he podido evitar volver a hacerlo por las ganas que tenía de leer el presente libro desde que le vi anunciado en una red social.
Era una lectura que me parecía muy interesante de realizar. Lo que más destaco en ella es como me ha sorprendido. Por dos motivos: en primer lugar por qué me ha parecido que la sinopsis lo vende de una forma que no es. Me explico: cuando leí esto pensé que el libro iba a tratar sobre mitos de mujeres y personajes históricos a lo largo de la historia, y como han sido interpretados con el devenir de los años. Y es cierto que hay una parte de la obra que va de eso, pero no es, ni mucho menos la más extensa. No puedo negarlo, esto me ha desilusionado bastante. El tema de la mujer en la historia y la literatura me interesa mucho, y era lo que más ilusión me hacía ver de esta lectura.
No obstante, el libro me ha gustado mucho. Y esto se debe a lo segundo que más me ha sorprendido de él, y es como me ha hecho ponerme a usar la mollera y darme cuenta de muchas cosas. Nunca pensé que iba a hacerme meditar tanto esta lectura. He estado constantemente tomando apuntes, escribiendo pensamientos en los márgenes y subrayando frases. Me he encontrado haciendo tareas cotidianas o paseando y meditando sobre muchas de las cuestiones que se trabajan y tratan en este libro. Creo que solo por eso ha merecido la pena leerlo totalmente.
“Que Hable Cassandra” es un compendio de ensayos que se divide en tres partes bien diferenciadas. La primera parte explora los mitos historias que conforman los cimientos ideológicos de nuestra sociedad. El segundo trata sobre la cuestión de las mujeres y el poder, tratando de cómo se puede llegar a ser un líder sin caer en estereotipos relacionados con la guerra, la sangre y la violencia. Y la tercera parte tiene un tono más del libro de autoayuda, por así decirlo, donde se trata de una serie de cuestiones para estar mejor con uno mismo y se presentan varios ejercicios introspectivos.
No conocía para nada a Elizabeth Lesser y su obra. Deduzco que por lo menos en América debe ser bastante popular. Pero me ha gustado su forma de escribir, trata de temas muy espinosos importantes de una forma cercana y amena. Me he sentido muy conectada a su pluma a lo largo de la lectura. Creo que en esto ha tenido mucho que ver que la autora trate de exponer sus ideales explicando cómo llegó a ellos, contando cuestiones sobre su familia, su vida amorosa y su trabajo como autora y con fundadora de un instituto que hace talleres y conferencias sobre bienestar, creatividad y cambio social. Todo ello permite hacer al lector cómplice de lo que Lesser escribe, y hace que esta se convierta en alguien cercano. Ay yo también ayuda a que ningún capítulo sea especialmente largo o canción sado de leer, eso hace que sea una lectura bastante amena y ágil.
Como ya he dicho antes, lo que más me interesaba era la primera parte, centrada en la mujer en la mitología y la historia y su visión a lo largo de los años. Que haya sido una un segmento tan escaso y que solo se haya hablado de unas pocas mujeres de diferentes mitologías historias (Eva, Pandora, Casandra y Galatea) me ha parecido muy decepcionante, para que mentir. Me esperase que me esperaba que se tratasen a más heroínas, y que los capítulos tuvieran más sustancia y datos.
En cambio, la parte que más me ha sorprendido para bien ha sido la segunda, centradas en la mujer y en el poder. Es ahí donde he podido tomar más apuntes y donde me he tomado mi tiempo para poder leer con calma todo lo que la autora nos proponía. En esta además se trata más el papel de la mujer en la sociedad actual y la forma que los criterios del patriarcado la han condicionado. Lesser trata de animar a todas las mujeres a que se olviden de ellos y aprendan a ser independientes y estar bien y felices consigo mismas. Me parece muy interesante ciertas cuestiones que se tratan, como que un líder puede tener actitudes consideradas tradicionalmente como femeninas (con pasión, sensibilidad, capacidad de comunicación, empatía hacia los demás) junto con otras que pueden ser vistas como masculinas (valentía, arrojo confianza en sí mismo) para ser realmente eficaz.Y que tener unas u otras no equivale a que seas más femenino o masculino, las personas tenemos un poco de todo por norma general, somos más complejos y menos estandarizados de lo que podemos imaginar. Y también su propuesta de hacer un mundo y una sociedad más enfoca cadas en lo positivo y en la ayuda mutua.Sinceramente, y ahora más que nunca con la que nos está cayendo, eso me parece una utopía total. Pero es un imposible muy bonito, y sería muy agradable vivir en un mundo así o por lo menos dejárselo en herencia a las generaciones futuras.
La tercera parte, la que está más enfocada a la instrucción y ejercicios de meditación, ha sido la que menos me ha gustado y la que leído de una manera más ligera. Tiene un tonillo de libro de autoayuda… que a mi como que no. No tengo nada en contra de los manuales de autoayuda, y no dudo que hayan ayudado a mucha gente en momentos difíciles y cuestiones personales complejas. Para nada. Pero a mí no me acaba de gustar, siempre me han parecido que te dicen que debes hacer más que ayudarte. No he leído muchos en mi vida, de ahí quizás mi desconfianza. Pero es un tipo de literatura de la cual no me fío mucho ni me agrada.También debo decir que el autor habla mucho sobre la meditación. De la meditación, como ejercicio espiritual y valvula para conectar con tu yo interior, me fío más que de estos libros, pero aún así tampoco es una cuestión que me haya llamado mucho la atención. Me encantaría poder enficarme más en ella algún día, me parece interesante, pero hoy por hoy imposible. Tengo una mente demasiado inquieta y que se va por las ramas a la mínima de cambio para que esta forma de ejercitación mental me pueda ser de alguna utilidad. De todas maneras, tengo que decir que este segmento también me ha enseñado algunas cosas ya habido momentos que también he subrayado. He aprendido mucho de él al igual que con los anteriores. Y eso para mí, por todo lo dicho anteriormente, es un punto totalmente a favor de esta recopilación.
Para terminar, tengo que decir que “Que Hable Cassandra” me ha parecido una lectura tan amena como interesante. Quizás Lesser peque un poco de repetirse bastante en ciertas cuestiones, y quizás tenga un tono amoroso y positivo en ciertos puntos que a mí no acaba de llegarme por mi forma de ser tan cínica y poco dada a la meditación.
Pero aún así creo que todas las cosas que dice sobre la mujer en la historia y en el mundo han actual, y la forma en que anima a empoderarse y a descubrir todas las cosas buenas que tienes y a usarlas en tu vida personal y profesional, muy interesantes. Y sobre todo me ha parecido una lectura muy factible y fácil para cualquier lector, independientemente de su grado de conocimientos o del número de libros que haya leido anteriormente sobre mujeres y feminismo.Es una lectura para todos los públicos, que me ha dejado muy buen sabor de boca y, por qué no decirlo, una buena sensación de bienestar. El único consejo que podría dar para enfrentarse a ella es tomártela con calma, y leyendo cada día unos pocos capítulos. Para así poder dejar que se filtre en ti todo lo que la autora nos quiere decir en cada momento.
Era una lectura que me parecía muy interesante de realizar. Lo que más destaco en ella es como me ha sorprendido. Por dos motivos: en primer lugar por qué me ha parecido que la sinopsis lo vende de una forma que no es. Me explico: cuando leí esto pensé que el libro iba a tratar sobre mitos de mujeres y personajes históricos a lo largo de la historia, y como han sido interpretados con el devenir de los años. Y es cierto que hay una parte de la obra que va de eso, pero no es, ni mucho menos la más extensa. No puedo negarlo, esto me ha desilusionado bastante. El tema de la mujer en la historia y la literatura me interesa mucho, y era lo que más ilusión me hacía ver de esta lectura.
No obstante, el libro me ha gustado mucho. Y esto se debe a lo segundo que más me ha sorprendido de él, y es como me ha hecho ponerme a usar la mollera y darme cuenta de muchas cosas. Nunca pensé que iba a hacerme meditar tanto esta lectura. He estado constantemente tomando apuntes, escribiendo pensamientos en los márgenes y subrayando frases. Me he encontrado haciendo tareas cotidianas o paseando y meditando sobre muchas de las cuestiones que se trabajan y tratan en este libro. Creo que solo por eso ha merecido la pena leerlo totalmente.
“Que Hable Cassandra” es un compendio de ensayos que se divide en tres partes bien diferenciadas. La primera parte explora los mitos historias que conforman los cimientos ideológicos de nuestra sociedad. El segundo trata sobre la cuestión de las mujeres y el poder, tratando de cómo se puede llegar a ser un líder sin caer en estereotipos relacionados con la guerra, la sangre y la violencia. Y la tercera parte tiene un tono más del libro de autoayuda, por así decirlo, donde se trata de una serie de cuestiones para estar mejor con uno mismo y se presentan varios ejercicios introspectivos.
No conocía para nada a Elizabeth Lesser y su obra. Deduzco que por lo menos en América debe ser bastante popular. Pero me ha gustado su forma de escribir, trata de temas muy espinosos importantes de una forma cercana y amena. Me he sentido muy conectada a su pluma a lo largo de la lectura. Creo que en esto ha tenido mucho que ver que la autora trate de exponer sus ideales explicando cómo llegó a ellos, contando cuestiones sobre su familia, su vida amorosa y su trabajo como autora y con fundadora de un instituto que hace talleres y conferencias sobre bienestar, creatividad y cambio social. Todo ello permite hacer al lector cómplice de lo que Lesser escribe, y hace que esta se convierta en alguien cercano. Ay yo también ayuda a que ningún capítulo sea especialmente largo o canción sado de leer, eso hace que sea una lectura bastante amena y ágil.
Como ya he dicho antes, lo que más me interesaba era la primera parte, centrada en la mujer en la mitología y la historia y su visión a lo largo de los años. Que haya sido una un segmento tan escaso y que solo se haya hablado de unas pocas mujeres de diferentes mitologías historias (Eva, Pandora, Casandra y Galatea) me ha parecido muy decepcionante, para que mentir. Me esperase que me esperaba que se tratasen a más heroínas, y que los capítulos tuvieran más sustancia y datos.
En cambio, la parte que más me ha sorprendido para bien ha sido la segunda, centradas en la mujer y en el poder. Es ahí donde he podido tomar más apuntes y donde me he tomado mi tiempo para poder leer con calma todo lo que la autora nos proponía. En esta además se trata más el papel de la mujer en la sociedad actual y la forma que los criterios del patriarcado la han condicionado. Lesser trata de animar a todas las mujeres a que se olviden de ellos y aprendan a ser independientes y estar bien y felices consigo mismas. Me parece muy interesante ciertas cuestiones que se tratan, como que un líder puede tener actitudes consideradas tradicionalmente como femeninas (con pasión, sensibilidad, capacidad de comunicación, empatía hacia los demás) junto con otras que pueden ser vistas como masculinas (valentía, arrojo confianza en sí mismo) para ser realmente eficaz.Y que tener unas u otras no equivale a que seas más femenino o masculino, las personas tenemos un poco de todo por norma general, somos más complejos y menos estandarizados de lo que podemos imaginar. Y también su propuesta de hacer un mundo y una sociedad más enfoca cadas en lo positivo y en la ayuda mutua.Sinceramente, y ahora más que nunca con la que nos está cayendo, eso me parece una utopía total. Pero es un imposible muy bonito, y sería muy agradable vivir en un mundo así o por lo menos dejárselo en herencia a las generaciones futuras.
La tercera parte, la que está más enfocada a la instrucción y ejercicios de meditación, ha sido la que menos me ha gustado y la que leído de una manera más ligera. Tiene un tonillo de libro de autoayuda… que a mi como que no. No tengo nada en contra de los manuales de autoayuda, y no dudo que hayan ayudado a mucha gente en momentos difíciles y cuestiones personales complejas. Para nada. Pero a mí no me acaba de gustar, siempre me han parecido que te dicen que debes hacer más que ayudarte. No he leído muchos en mi vida, de ahí quizás mi desconfianza. Pero es un tipo de literatura de la cual no me fío mucho ni me agrada.También debo decir que el autor habla mucho sobre la meditación. De la meditación, como ejercicio espiritual y valvula para conectar con tu yo interior, me fío más que de estos libros, pero aún así tampoco es una cuestión que me haya llamado mucho la atención. Me encantaría poder enficarme más en ella algún día, me parece interesante, pero hoy por hoy imposible. Tengo una mente demasiado inquieta y que se va por las ramas a la mínima de cambio para que esta forma de ejercitación mental me pueda ser de alguna utilidad. De todas maneras, tengo que decir que este segmento también me ha enseñado algunas cosas ya habido momentos que también he subrayado. He aprendido mucho de él al igual que con los anteriores. Y eso para mí, por todo lo dicho anteriormente, es un punto totalmente a favor de esta recopilación.
Para terminar, tengo que decir que “Que Hable Cassandra” me ha parecido una lectura tan amena como interesante. Quizás Lesser peque un poco de repetirse bastante en ciertas cuestiones, y quizás tenga un tono amoroso y positivo en ciertos puntos que a mí no acaba de llegarme por mi forma de ser tan cínica y poco dada a la meditación.
Pero aún así creo que todas las cosas que dice sobre la mujer en la historia y en el mundo han actual, y la forma en que anima a empoderarse y a descubrir todas las cosas buenas que tienes y a usarlas en tu vida personal y profesional, muy interesantes. Y sobre todo me ha parecido una lectura muy factible y fácil para cualquier lector, independientemente de su grado de conocimientos o del número de libros que haya leido anteriormente sobre mujeres y feminismo.Es una lectura para todos los públicos, que me ha dejado muy buen sabor de boca y, por qué no decirlo, una buena sensación de bienestar. El único consejo que podría dar para enfrentarse a ella es tomártela con calma, y leyendo cada día unos pocos capítulos. Para así poder dejar que se filtre en ti todo lo que la autora nos quiere decir en cada momento.
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