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Summary: Dance of the Dissident Daughter
Review: AWESOME book! She affirmed my own personal journey through the sharing of her story. Liberating and empowering a positive influence to the world. Rich in theology, philosophy and history, told with courage in a relevant context. Thank you so much!
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Summary: A "Dance" Every Woman Should Dare......
Review: Every woman should read this book. It will wake us from our slumber and empower us to hold sacred that we are women and not second to be created. It defies traditional, patriarcal stereotypes to find the true "heart" of women's connection to God and how She as Mother will do more to make us whole that He as Father could ever offer!
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Summary: Finally, someone has 'named' my deepest wound.
Review: For many years, I have been trying to identify my wounds, which ones needed healing, which ones needed to be shelved and written about later -- then I came upon Kidd's book, THE DANCE OF THE DISIDENT DAUGHTER -- and there it all was! I had also been living the life of a "man-made woman.!" The questions I had for years been seeking the answers to were answered in this book -- the questions regarding language, naming, patriarchial world, etc. This book has stirred up a whole new part of me. Perhaps it has stirred up my unused life -- my life between the ages of 18 to 45. I believe God is calling me now to look at this part of myself. A must read for all women over 18!
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Summary: thank you, Sue, for this book
Review: I am one of those seekers who joined a mainstream (Protestant) church with a Catholic background in my family history. I have spent years exploring both Catholic and Protestant faiths, trying to figure out which path will help me reach the religious life I desire but have been missing. Neither practice has worked for me, despite my intense efforts and study -- and good intentions and faith. This book helped me pinpoint what was bothering me (and hurting) for ages, but like many women expressed here, could not quite figure out. Both Protestant and Catholic traditions left me feeling like something was missing, and that something was WRONG with ME. It has been so painful. Thank you, Sue Monk Kidd, for helping me discover why I've felt like I was on the other side of a huge wall, trying to reach God and not finding Her/Him. I will look forward to your next book on this topic.
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Summary: Nourishment for the Feminine Soul
Review: I am one of those women who has read this book and it is changing my life. I urge all women ~ especially women in their 40's and 50's who are deeply engrained in the fabric of the traditional church yet are feeling unfulfilled with "church" ~ to read this book and read it now. And, yes, it is one of those reads you will want to "thrust" into the hands of other women you know. It is that profound and that enlightening. Sue shows us through her writing that embracing our feminine soul, as well as the Feminine Divine, will help us grow into the women we should be.
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Summary: A Topic for LIvely Debate
Review: I am part of a group of women (8 total ) that recently started a book club, and this was our most recent selection. Of the eight, three didn't like the choice, two were middle of the road, and two of us liked it immensely. All of us agreed that it was a worthwhile read, however. We all found the first section difficult to navigate, but once we got to Initiation we all felt that the author really began to hit her stride, even those of us who didn't agree with her philosophy.
I personally found peace reading this book and knowing that I wasn't alone in being restless. Although we all have restless times when we are seeking answers before moving forward in life, my time has lasted almost nine years, but I could never put into words what was bothering me. I, like Ms. Kidd was deeply wounded by my religious faith and have been trying to reconcile the wound and cope with the loss, as religion had been a large part of my life at one time. I found answers to my questions in this book, and a new spirituality and greater understanding of what "being spiritual" is all about. She helped confirm to me what I had always felt in my heart; there is a God that we are all connected to, completely and unconditionally, if we just open our hearts and minds to His/Her presence.
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Summary: Amazing, thought-provoking, possibly life-changing
Review: I bought this on a suggestion and had no idea the difference it would begin to make in my life. This book has served as a catalyst and is one I would recommned to all women! I hope to share it with my own daughters in years to come!
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Summary: Colorblind
Review: I don't usually start my reviews by stating that I am a black or African American woman. But in light of this book, I feel I have to do just that. Sue Kidd was on a journey to spirual enlightment though the sacred feminine, which is so often ignored or downplayed in "sacred" traditional and patriarical religions like Chistianity, Muslim and Judaism. I understand her thougts,journeys and where she is coming from, but she tells this book strictly from a "womeness" point of view with hardly no mention of how race plays a role in the shaping our most well-known religions, especially that of Chistianity. It is not hard to discern from the first few pages that the Sue was/is a white woman who was only concerned with her place in a male dominated world. Being a black women I not only felt left out or put aside because of my gender but also because my "race", being that all images and so forth usually always follow a white or European aethetic or paradigm.
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Summary: Heartfelt account of the most personal journey
Review: I enjoyed this book very much. It is a good starting place for women looking for a personal relationship with the Almighty that they have not found in traditional western churches. Also has excellent endnotes and bibliography for further study.
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Summary: Can't have it both ways
Review: I found this book to be heartfelt and well written. I was deeply moved by the author's experience and courage in relating it. I too have found great strength and comfort in the Goddess archtype. However, it is the height of hubris to suggest that the feminine is better than the masculine and if only the world were run by women it would be, oh, so much better. Worse yet, is to make the suggestion that any woman who doesn't agree with your point of view is still trapped in serving 'the patriarchy' and should be pitied. The author brings a number of valid points regarding Christianity in particular but then employs the very method she criticizes them of using to demonize men and anyone who disagrees. It would seem that in the author's view there are the Spiritual Feminists who 'get it' and then there's the rest of the world. There doesn't seem to be any 'grey area' open to discussion. Tolerance, balance and harmony, can only be achieved in finding Wholeness within oneself. Neither Men nor Women are perfect but together, as part of an equal team -- ah, what a deliciously beautiful dance that is! Also recommended: 'The Myth of Matriarchal Prehistory: Why an Invented Past Won't Give Women a Future' by Cynthia Eller
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