Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by sinta
The Hero With a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell
3.0
I feel conflicted about this book. On the one hand, my critical instincts are repulsed by the forced ahistorical universalism (taking myths out of their contexts and forcing them into a universalising framework which erase any difference or grounding in space and time), sexism (women as temptress’ or the goal to be acquired rather than the agent) and reliance on outdated Freudian concepts (the entire journey rests on Oedipal dynamics)
On the other, it is clearly a powerful framework that has inspired countless artists and individuals. I only truly realised the power of this when I went to a book club about the book, ready to dig in to the above critiques, and the entire thing turned into each person telling their life story and getting free group therapy
Also, I am listening to Campbell’s discussions with Bill Moyers and it is clear that he has a much more nuanced, historically grounded (and therefore qualified) understanding of comparative mythology than this book shows. It makes me want to read more of his work
On the other, it is clearly a powerful framework that has inspired countless artists and individuals. I only truly realised the power of this when I went to a book club about the book, ready to dig in to the above critiques, and the entire thing turned into each person telling their life story and getting free group therapy
Also, I am listening to Campbell’s discussions with Bill Moyers and it is clear that he has a much more nuanced, historically grounded (and therefore qualified) understanding of comparative mythology than this book shows. It makes me want to read more of his work