Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
6th out of 14 books
—
3 voters
She: Understanding Feminine Psychology
What does it mean to be a woman? What is the pathway to mature femininity? And what of the masculine components of a woman's personality? Robert A. Johnson explores these questions in this new edition of She, updated to reflect the growth of his thinking on these subjects.
Many writers and scholars have long considered that the ancient myth of Amor and Psyche is really the...more
Many writers and scholars have long considered that the ancient myth of Amor and Psyche is really the...more
Paperback, Revised Edition, 96 pages
Published
November 1st 1989
by Harper Perennial
(first published 1976)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
981)
This slim volume focuses on the story of Cupid (eros) and Psyche. Eros is the need for love and Psyche is the spirit of love. Johnson explores the maturing process of women through the story of Eros and Psyche. The story enchants on its own -- and we have heard much of this story through the Grimm Bros. fairytales. However, once we meed Eros, the perfect man who does not want to be seen for what he really is, Eros' mother Aphrodite, and the most beautiful girl on earth -- Psyche -- we are taken...more
A short read assembled by a Jungian psychologist type fellow. Overall pretty flaky and shallow. Idea herein is that the Greco-Roman character Psyche and her associated tale of love w/ Eros is actually a template for feminine behavior and personal evolution. The book reads pretty much like a horoscope and as such is not terribly interesting or full of impact (or win, if you're a hip nerdcore kid).
Apparently, this same author has written a similar tome for males based upon Ares. Most likely won't...more
Apparently, this same author has written a similar tome for males based upon Ares. Most likely won't...more
2 likes · like · see review
view 1 comment
Mar 17, 2010
Jenny
added it
There were moments when I thought Johnson was really on to something, but overall I couldn't relate an iota to the "femininity" posed in this book and, in fact, felt offended by it at times. This could be due to my surface-level reading of the book, but it could also have to do with the fact that Johnson tries to summarize feminine psychology in a mere 80 pages- missing opportunity after opportunity to present concrete modern examples of his interpretation of this Greek myth. Alas, true to my co...more
A book about feminine psychology written by a man and using a man-centric pscyhological interpretation: enough said. I've always been drawn to the myth of Psyche and Eros, so I found, especially the intial, symbolic interpretations interesting. But some parts of the book made me want to scream and were vaguely reminiscent of "The Fascinating Woman." So read with a grain of salt- you HAVE been warned.
He, She, and We are three parts of a whole that take you on a journey which navigates the recognition and integration of the male and female psyche in each of us. I was turned on to these by Dr. Gentz who is a practicing psychologist in Tulsa Oklahoma. My partner and I read them at the same time. We found that parts of these books were better absorbed on the second reading.
Jun 18, 2012
Headley Mist
added it
Can not think of a better review of this book than this quotation:
Pronunciation -- think of Psyche!
Is a paling stout and spikey?
Won't it make you lose your wits,
Writing groats and saying grits?
It's a dark abyss or tunnel:
Strewn with stones, stowed, solace, gunwale,
Islington and Isle of Wight,
Housewife, verdict and indict.
Kind of reflects the plot.
Pronunciation -- think of Psyche!
Is a paling stout and spikey?
Won't it make you lose your wits,
Writing groats and saying grits?
It's a dark abyss or tunnel:
Strewn with stones, stowed, solace, gunwale,
Islington and Isle of Wight,
Housewife, verdict and indict.
Kind of reflects the plot.
I really enjoyed this book. Short and concise, it takes the myth of Eros and Psyche and translates it to the psychology of the female in a fairly plausible way. All though it does not encompass all of the female psyche, it mainly focuses on love and relationships. A really fun read with come definite gems.
An interesting essay, but still slightly subjugative. I wonder if it's because of the author's personal views, or a sign of the time in which the book was written. Was 1989 really that long ago? There is a companion book called "He" (of course).
A book about feminine psychology written by a man and using a man-centric pscyhological interpretation.An interesting essay, but still slightly subjugative.
It's a great book that chronicles the feminine journey for males and females. Some thoughts get repeated a few times, but all in all it's a great and brief read.
A quick Jungian take on some of the changes women go through in transitioning to marriage...appropriately timed. More moderner than I would have guessed.
Some of it is very good, may explain women in relationship to men, but not a comprehensive or relatable picture for many.
An exploration of how one becomes a mature and complete woman using the ancient myth of Amor and Psyche.
Johnson uses the myth of Cupid and Psyche to explore feminine psychology - perhaps the first time that anyone had put it into so many words for me that each woman has a masculine side to her soul and each man has a feminine part to his soul.
This deepened my connection to Cupid and Psyche which just kept popping up everywhere for me around this time in my life.
This deepened my connection to Cupid and Psyche which just kept popping up everywhere for me around this time in my life.
Well, I still don't understand Feminine Psychology, but I enjoyed reading the book. Another notch in the belt of Jungian thought. One of these days I expect to have an awakening when it will all suddenly make sense to me. Till then I continue to plug away at reading – building a foundation I hope. This one looks at the myth of Eros and Psyche as a metaphor for the spiritual journey every woman faces.
more like 3.5 stars. It was interesting the interpretation of the Psyche, Eros, Aphrodite myth. I also enjoyed some insights re: the female influence over the male influence.
i love this book it really gives you a look inside
a must-read for any woman overwhelmed by falling in love
Jan 11, 2013
Lee F.
added it
2nd read. a lot to think about. great grounding to ewtad woodman
I really enjoyed this!
Kind of sexist. Interesting ideas, but still very sexist.
Just couldn't get into this one. Disappointing after what a revelation We was.
A landmark work of psychology; the author uses the ancient myth of Amor and Psyche as the springboard for a brilliant, perceptive exploration of how one becomes a mature and complete woman. Written by a male, but what are you going to do?
Any Johnson book works for me. I love this one
i think this is a most intresting book
Johnson makes some interesting points in this, but I didn't find it nearly as informative or like it nearly as well as He. It's worth reading if you've read the other one though.
Feminine Psychology (as it pertains to marriage) described through the stages in the Eros&Psyche story.
Yet another book from my "Psych of Identity" class. About the feminine archetype in psychology.
This was an assigned reading for a "Mythology(/Psychology)" class I took.
Great introduction to the myth of Amor and Psyche.....
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Robert A. Johnson, born 1921
More about Robert A. Johnson...
Robert A. Johnson, born 1921
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“...it is almost always the case that whatever has wounded you will also be instrumental in your healing.”
—
6 people liked it
“Very few women understand how great is the hunger in a man to be near femininity...(b)ut if a woman wishes to give a most precious gift to a man, if she would truly feed this masculine hunger (a hunger that he will seldom show but that is always there), she will be very, very feminine when her man is in a mood, so he can get his bearings and be a man again.”
—
1 person liked it
More quotes…
