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Testimonials
What Folks Thought
"An instructive, fascinating account of the heroine in folk tradition. Beyond the Sword Maiden is a valuable resource of exempla for writers, tale tellers and counselors. The relationship of heroism to events in the modern world is particularly meaningful." --Gilbert Cross, co-author of World Folktales
"Get a copy of 'Beyond the Sword Maiden' by Dorothy Cleveland and Barbara Schutzgruber - their heroines's journey is an accurate as any I've seen. I really like their work." Annette Simmons, author.
"This book is a clear, concise guide that a psychotherapist could use to assist clients in reframing difficult life challenges into a Heroine journey narrative. Such a narrative would empower the client to resolve coflicts and disolve barriers thereby emerging as a self proclaimed heroine in her own story. This book is a combination of well told stories followed by mapping of the narratives into the stepping stones of a heroine's juorney. I would recommend the application of this book as an accessible method of psychotherapy for ages 8 through adulthood." --Jane E. Fink, CSW Psychotherapist
Through insightful text, story samples, and charts Dorothy Cleveland and Barbara Schutzgruber reveal the sometimes unsatisfying path that a heroes journey can exhibit. Beyond the Sword Maiden permits the storyteller the opportunity to flesh out uniquely human tales of endurance, and triumph. The wisdom of the authors is revealed through personal narrative along with perfectly curated folktales. They display the explicit need for the heroines' narrative as it bridges the gap between engaging tales and stories of wisdom. I would certainly recommend this book for writers and storytellers as a tool to elicit the value folktales and personal tales reveal. --Karen Bonnici, Storyteller, Musician, Teaching Artist and Creator of the Super Blanky
I appreciate its subject matter, clear and concise writing, useful tables, and fine examples. It is obvious that great thought and care went into its conception and execution. --Corinne Stavish, Director, Technical and Professional Communication Lawrence Tech University
Prior to reading this book, I had an aversion to the "Hero's Journey” perhaps because I am attracted to stories that do not fit that specific pattern. In addition, I wrongly assumed that a Heroine's journey was a Hero's journey but with a woman. This book explains the differences between a Hero's journey, a Sword Maiden's journey, and a Heroine's journey.
The book not only uses examples of stories ranging from the ancient to the modern but also uses charts. These examples and charts provide an easy method to analyze story in any form whether reading or writing.
This book is an essential and highly recommended resource for any level of or type of story teller. --Erin Johnston, Storyteller
The book not only uses examples of stories ranging from the ancient to the modern but also uses charts. These examples and charts provide an easy method to analyze story in any form whether reading or writing.
This book is an essential and highly recommended resource for any level of or type of story teller. --Erin Johnston, Storyteller
"Crafting a Heroine's journey can feel intimidating, this warm and easy read provides a clear and doable starter recipe. Grounded in personal experience, Dorothy and Barbara are trustworthy champions for a feminine story map." --Megan Wells, Story Artist
Book for sale at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads as well as other sites. The publisher is Parkhurst Brothers. Click on button below to purchase directly from Parkhurst Brothers.
"All too often both traditional storytellers and the media regard the Hero's Journey as the "one true recipe for a good story." In this well-researched and clearly written book, Dorothy Cleveland and Barbara Schutzgruber prove that there are other kinds of stories that are just as essential to the human experience: Tales of survival and transformation that we may encounter at any point in our lives. With deep knowledge and personal honesty, these two incredible women bring us the Heroine's Journey, tracing its origins and possibilities from the oldest folktales to life in the 21st century. This book is a much needed addition to any storyteller's resource library." --Csenge Virág Zalka, Storyteller, Author of Tales of Superhuman Powers
I was in three very different settings last week where people referenced Joseph Campbell's "hero's journey" framework. Many of us have never questioned Campbell's concept of a universal narrative, but as Cleveland and Schutzgruber demonstrate, it isn't always adequate to explain women's experiences, or to understand the narrative structure and emotional meaning of folk and fairy tales with women at the center.
I'm a performing storyteller who is often drawn to old tales, as are Cleveland and Schutzgruber, and clearly people like me are among the readers the authors had in mind. But they also present examples of how the heroine's journey can be used as a tool in psychotherapy, business, and more. They show brilliantly how the heroine's journey differs from that of the "sword maiden" (the female incarnation of the traditional hero) as she experiences trauma and healing, both actual and metaphorical.
I particularly loved how the authors illustrate their theory with personal as well as traditional stories. Their approach is scholarly (for example, they carefully compare earlier writers' ideas) but never dry. They employ tables and charts to pack a lot of insights into a short book, which is also enhanced with a bibliography, an authors' Q&A, and a worksheet for shaping one's own story.
This is a book I'll go back to again and again as I keep delving deeper into folk lore and mythology.ock, write your own text and edit me. --Sue Searing, Storyteller
I'm a performing storyteller who is often drawn to old tales, as are Cleveland and Schutzgruber, and clearly people like me are among the readers the authors had in mind. But they also present examples of how the heroine's journey can be used as a tool in psychotherapy, business, and more. They show brilliantly how the heroine's journey differs from that of the "sword maiden" (the female incarnation of the traditional hero) as she experiences trauma and healing, both actual and metaphorical.
I particularly loved how the authors illustrate their theory with personal as well as traditional stories. Their approach is scholarly (for example, they carefully compare earlier writers' ideas) but never dry. They employ tables and charts to pack a lot of insights into a short book, which is also enhanced with a bibliography, an authors' Q&A, and a worksheet for shaping one's own story.
This is a book I'll go back to again and again as I keep delving deeper into folk lore and mythology.ock, write your own text and edit me. --Sue Searing, Storyteller