From Demeter and Persephone of ancient Greek mythology to the Armless Maiden of South Africa, Pele of Hawaiian legend, and the lesbian wise women of Native American folklore, this book gathers stories from around the world representing the heroine's journey. Frankel, a storyteller, essayist, and novelist, seeks to throw off the oppression of our culture's obsession with hero myths as she reveals the heroine's true role, not as the hero's reward, but as an embodiment of one of the goddess archetypes: magical maiden, life-source and creator mother, wise crone, and guardian angel. In the first part of the book, Frankel details the steps of the heroine's journey, from growing up in the ordinary world to the journey through the unconscious, facing and integrating her dark side, and goddesshood. The second part of the book gives more details on the four archetypes of maiden, mother, crone, and spirit guardian. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)