Women Who Run With the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype

by Clarissa Pinkola Estés

First published three years before the print edition of Women Who Run With the Wolves made publishing history, this original audio edition quickly became an underground bestseller. For its insights into the inner life of women, it established Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés as one of the most important voices of our time in the fields of Jungian psychology, myth, and women's mysteries.

Drawing from her work as a psychoanalyst and cantadora ("keeper of the old stories"), Dr. Estés uses myths and folktales to illustrate how societies systematically strip away the feminine spirit. Through an exploration into the nature of the wild woman archetype, Dr. Estés helps listeners rediscover and free their own wild nature.

The magical storytelling, myths, and commentary on Women Who Run With the Wolves continue to inspire a new level of self-knowledge among listeners young and old.

Note: These CD-ROM-format enhanced CDs contain audio, music, and video clips and are meant to be played on your computer, using an Internet connection, speakers, and Real Player programs, which are free for download. Enhanced content is exclusive to CD version

Genres: Audiobook, Nonfiction, Feminism, Psychology, Self Help, Philosophy, Mythology

3 pages, Audiobook

Published January 1, 1989

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

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think every woman should read this book.
“Misplaced zygote” wow that was a deeply insightful and interesting concept. I don’t even know where to start here so I’ll leave you with that while you go run with the wolves. AWOO!!

[Julia]

Not really made for me I fear

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.0 - 3.5 stars

I have been wanting to get into audiobooks and read more nonfiction books. I found this 2-hour audio on the Libby app and figured it would be perfect. After reading other reviews, it seems like this is part of the full book. I think this was originally published around 1995, and it's almost sad to think that in 2025, society still wants to tame women. We have religious leaders, politicians, and government officials saying that women should not be able to vote. Incels openly discuss wanting a woman who does not think for herself, doesn't have hobbies, submits to her husband, and cares for the home and children. There is a rise in trad wife content online, and women have already lost their bodily autonomy in the US.

While there is some problematic language within this book and it is outdated, I think its message is still important to remember. This book encourages women to create community and follow their intuition. To not let themselves be tamed by their family or lose themselves in their romantic partners. Make time to be creative and nurture old ideas until they are new again. To not be distracted by fantasies and discover what they want in their life by asking, "What are you hungry for?"

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be able to go away with all my close friends somewhere in the forest while we’re all menstruating and have a 5 day break from reality… a vibe

[Chloe Doherty · Rating 1 out of 5]

Audiobook

[Lauren]

I listed to the abridged version- though I’d like to read the full book, this was a good toe-dip in.

[Xani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friends fear she’s psychoanalysing again

[Jenna Schauer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Official Rating: 3.5

I listened to this as an audiobook and they way it was paced and everything, it really felt like I was listening to a Ted Talk. This definitely was not what I was expecting it to be. I thought that there was going to be a lot more literary analysis than what was actually presented. But it was short and quick and made some interesting points that helped put to words feelings or concepts that I have had or heard before.

Overall, it was okay.

[Jillian]

It’s hard to rate this book. This is an abridged audiobook based on the full text—I didn’t realize that when I started it. This had some enjoyable myths and stories but wasn’t the transformational experience I was hoping for. I wish there was a full audiobook version of the actual text being read. Will just have to read this in print!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me just say, this book is not for the faint of heart—or for anyone looking for a light bedtime read. Clarissa Pinkola Estés is a powerhouse of myth, story, and psychology, and she weaves it all together like an ancient grandmother who also happens to be a trained psychoanalyst (which, well, she is). I picked up this book hoping for a soul-stirring feminist revelation… and I almost got it.

What kept me turning the pages were the parables. Estés has a gift for storytelling—folktales and myths from all over the world are used as tools to explore the psyche of the “wild woman” archetype. These stories were fascinating and evocative. I wanted more of that—and less of what felt like long-winded philosophical meandering through the forest of her thoughts.

In fact, the book reads less like a polished roadmap to empowerment and more like a fascinating first draft of someone’s late-night ramblings after three espressos and a tarot reading. Yes, the insights are good. Yes, the themes are important. But sometimes I felt like I was on the edge of a breakthrough, only for the thread to vanish into a metaphor.

It’s like Estés was almost about to hand me the keys to the kingdom of wild womanhood—but then got distracted and wandered into another forest. In other words, I was looking for that big, satisfying “aha!” moment—the mental fireworks, the epiphany, the cosmic wink—and I never quite found it. If she’d tied the ideas together more clearly, this book could have been an instant 5-star.

Still, I respect the work, the message, and the mystery of it all. It’s the kind of book that might change your life… if you can hang on for the ride (and maybe bring a notebook, some tea, and a Google tab for all the Jungian terminology).

Verdict: Worth reading—especially if you love myths, metaphors, and the idea that your inner wild woman is just one archetype away from waking up. Just don’t expect it to hold your hand or draw you a map.

[Emily Potts · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t always feel fully engaged, and it didn’t connect with me in the way I usually find this type of content does. This, as an audiobook, felt more like an extended talk or lecture. That said, there were still moments that offered genuine insight and a sense of empowerment.

In the end, I didn’t love this book, but I didn’t dislike it either. It was an okay read that provided some meaningful takeaways, even if it didn’t leave a lasting impact on me. I can imagine, however, that it will resonate much more deeply with readers who are drawn to mythic storytelling and spiritual perspectives on the feminine experience.

[Elaine Theriault · Rating 1 out of 5]

Repetitive. Very repetitive. Did I mention it was repetitive?
Moist and bones were two words I'll remember from this book, and yet, they didn't appear to me to have any relationship to the message in the book. It was sexual when it didn't need to be. And the myths had NOTHING to do with getting the message across. I must also say that I strongly disliked the narrator. I'm not sure if that was the author, but it was not good to listen to.
I believe the message is an important one, not just the way it was presented in this book.
I listened to the end because a friend recommended the book, but it didn't get any better.

And about that repetition........

[Isabella Herrera · Rating 5 out of 5]

wilddddd horses
loved
loved
loved
listened to it as an audio book but j wish it bought it cause i would so re read this. exceptional advice i think every women needs to read this once .
this will really stick with me.
these two aspects especially:

-do not let anyone compress your ideas passionately opinions and thoughts.

-always ask yourself what are you hungry for and not what beckons at you. let the answer me instinctive and from within.

thank you! i yearn to be a woman of the wolves and needed this book so bad.

[Linda Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick 2 hour listen of stories and myths with an inspiring ‘women’s business’ focus. The narrator is Clarissa Pinkola Estés herself which is kinda cool.

This is the original audio version of the book. I remember when the published version was released some 3 years later and though popular, I never did get around to reading it. Not sure if there is any difference in content between this audio and the printed version but that message is a good one for women!!

[Makailyn Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to this. A really nice bedtime read for its trek through myth and its storytelling rhythm. As for the content—sometimes it was insightful, but sometimes I unfortunately felt too absorbed by the brutalism of city living to really feel the messaging. So I never really felt anything nuclear. I would give the full text a more sincere try at another point though.

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This audiobook was phenomenal! It was something I felt I needed to marinate and slowly digest. I would recommend this audiobook to women of all ages! I am currently reading the written novel based on this audiobook. I found that listening to this audiobook helped me understand the depth of the Wild Woman archetype. I am going to recommend this to all the women in my life:)

[fleegan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listened to this cos a lot of books/articles I've read have referred to this book.
But yikes.
This was like Jordan B. Peterson for Women in that she gives women permission to be a pain in the ass cos... ancestors/myth/whatever.
No thank you.

I did like the folktales though.

[Lynn · Rating 1 out of 5]

bad
it was bad
almost a dnf and it’s only 2 hours
weird self help paragraphs interspersed with abridged and cherry-picked folklore stories and both were not really interesting (the self help being the much worse aspect of this) yikes

[Hawraki · Rating 4 out of 5]

حينما ابتعت هذا الكتاب الالكتروني، لم اكن أعلم بأنه ملخص للكتاب وليس الكتاب كاملًا، لكني استمعت إليه كله في ذات الليلة، واستمتعت به. وسأقرأ النسخة الورقية كذلك أيضًا.

صوت الراوية دافئ ومألوف، كصديق مُحب يحدّثك بشغف.

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 to 4 stars, some interesting concepts and thoughts in this book. The mistaken zygote, late bloomer stood out to me. I also liked how she said finding a partner is not 1/2 to make a whole, it’s 1+1=2 and how a good partner is an addition not a completion.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

only reason it's not 5 stars is because I listened to the abridged edition - I wanted more!

[Ynnah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés’ storytelling is phenomenal. I’m so glad I got to listen to this CD because it was like the pre-game that hyped me up for her print edition.

[cass · Rating 3 out of 5]

feel like it was probably more profound years ago then it was for me now

[Kelly Hite · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short abridged version but wow so powerful and reconnecting to self.

[Molly Stocks · Rating 3 out of 5]

it showed some good hidden messages showing how we should forgive and have patience and show love for others but also taking time and love for yourself.

[Sanjana Argula · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very insightful book. It's a must read for all women who seek adventure, who want to tread off the beaten path and run wild with wolves.

[S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

short audio empowement of Gen X and Boomer women with a number of oft retold stories to "enhance meaning."

[Samantha Laura Garofalo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read. This should be taught in high schools/college. Every woman should read this before they meet who they want to marry.

[Samela St. Pierre · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so love hearing her voice, I just wish this was the full script of the entire book. I hadn’t realized the audiobook was such a severely abridged version.

[Jamekia · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this! i need to get my hands on the actual book because this short collection of stories deeply moved me.