Goddess With A Thousand Faces

This book is both an introduction to goddess mythology and an encouragement to look at the ways these goddesses can inspire women today. The author focuses on 10 goddesses from around the world. Each chapter begins with a story about that goddess, based on the information and stories the author found in the course of her research. Then each goddess is put into context with a short overview of the culture in which the stories originated. She acknowledges that there were often cultural differences between the groups these stories developed in, but it would be impossible to get too deeply into that in a book like this. Finally, Elmer muses on how the stories and goddesses can inspire women today, arguing that although the stories are old, they still have relevance for women. The goddesses she includes in the book are: Freyja (Iceland), Artemis (Greek), Rangda (Bali), Inanna (Sumerian), kali (Hindu), twins Mawu-Lisa (Vodun), Sedna (Inuit), Hine-nui-te-po (Maori), Huitaca (Muisca-Andes Region), and Isis (Egypt). There is a selected bibliography at the back for people who would like to delve deeper into any specific culture/goddess.

This book is a good introduction to goddess mythology. I like that it includes many goddesses from many different parts of the world. As someone who has no background in this subject, I enjoyed reading the book and learning from it. The resources listed in the bibliography serve as a good starting point for those who wish to learn more than it was possible to include in this book. The author's writing style is almost conversational, which makes the book very readable. Her love of this subject shines through on every page. If you want to learn more about any or all of these goddesses, this is a great place to start.

I am not a non-fiction person, unless the topic is interesting, which this was!

I really enjoyed reading about different goddesses from a span of different cultures. Lately a lot of the market, non-fiction and fiction, are predominantly based on western mythology, so it was refreshing to read about goddesses like Rangda (the Balinese goddess of Evil, Black Magic and Balance), Inanna (the Sumerian goddess; Queen of Heaven and Earth, War and Sexuality) and Mawu-Lisa ( the Vodun goddess of all creation, the sun and the moon).

The mix of both fiction and non-fiction worked well at keeping my attention focused but admittedly the non-fiction sections dragged a little in places. I am not a non-fiction person, so that is my fault if I struggle to stay focused on something for a while.

I could tell a lot of extensive research and time went into this novel and to be inspired by turning 40 reflects how you can write and publish something no matter how old you are.

In the beginning, Elmer says, "Because if goddesses could garner such adoration in the past, perhaps by restoring their stories, I might restore parts of myself", and I really hope she achieved this, as it's such a good piece of work!

I absolutely flew through this book! The retellings which open each chapter were gripping, compelling, and brilliant. At the end of each it felt like I was resurfacing from a different world and trying to recalibrate to reality - in the most amazing way.
This is a work of non-fiction, though, not a fictional retelling. The historical or cultural detail was engagingly written and absolutely fascinating. It is so welcome that this book includes cultures beyond ancient Greece and Rome. The move away from Eurocentrism is refreshing and I learned so much about different cultures. It was wonderful to see threads which ran through goddesses from across the globe.
The writing was warm and inclusive, complex and sensitive issues were dealt with deftly and with grace.
The cover and illustrations are absolutely STUNNING. I will be gifting this book so widely! I cannot recommend it strongly enough!

I've always been a fan of mythology and the stories of different gods and goddesses, and Goddess with a Thousand Faces is unlike anything I've ever read. It’s a beautifully poetic and ambitious book that weaves together the stories of nine goddesses from different corners of the world. If you're looking to start your own journey into these myths, this book is a fantastic place to begin. Jasmine Elmer doesn't just retell these myths; she dives deeper, blending storytelling with ancient wisdom to create something truly unique. You can feel her passion on every page, and it's clear she has done her research—her writing makes it easy to connect with these goddesses and understand their significance. Each goddess's tale is followed by a deep exploration of the ancient societies that shaped them, offering insights into how these cultures viewed women and what the myths were really trying to convey. Elmer’s vivid descriptions and evocative imagery pull me right into these ancient worlds, making me feel like I'm experiencing these myths firsthand. And I can't wrap up without mentioning the cover—it's absolutely breathtaking.

I am so interested in goddesses that when Goddess with a Thousand Faces popped up on Netgalley I jumped at the chance to review it and I am so glad that I did as I have picked this book up and read it all within a few days - which me is very good.

Jasmine Elmer has done such an amazing job with this book, she tells the backstory of each goddess and the myths behind them. The author writes really well and really held my attention as she takes you on the journey of each of these incredible goddesses.

Highly thought provoking and immensely interesting, I am so glad I got the opportunity to read this book.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for allowing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book but even more enjoyed the voice (and great feisty comments and of Jasmine Elmer). She just said so many things that I have thought for such a long time. This book is going to be a great buy for my daughter in law, and possibly my teen grandaughter.