This was such a fun and informative book. It broke down the process in an approachable way and I learned a lot.

Absolutely fascinating. I didn't know reading about genres could be so interesting. Gail Carriger deconstructs the Hero and Heroine's Journey and uses pop culture examples, and goes in depth to provide writing advice and analysis of the Heroine's Journey. In short, the Hero's Journey defines success as (solitary) victory, triumph, power (Batman); it generates feelings of excitement for readers. Narrative endpoints often see the hero alone or so changed from the journey he can no longer return (Frodo).

The Heroine's journey defines success as connection, belonging, family (blood or found); it generates feelings of comfort for readers. Narrative endpoints often see the heroine with community, family, friends, etc. Think Harry Potter, or the typical romance novel trajectory. Detective novels also fall under this category, which does make a lot of sense to me.

Carriger talked about crossovers between the two genres, which was very fascinating and illuminating. And honestly this explained to me why I like the books I like, because of the feeling of comfort and connection.

I lowkey kind of wish this was a bit more concise but nonetheless, I managed to read the whole book continuously despite being in a reading slump. How do I find more books like this...

I had no idea what to expect when I picked up this book. I knew the Hero's Journey. I liked the Hero's Journey. With an emphasis on individuality, solo achievement, revenge, not asking for help, and vanquishing the enemy, as a white male, I liked the Hero’s Journey because that is how I was taught to be a man. Toxic masculinity pervaded my childhood and I learned early on to categorize men and women in binary archetypes. Men are strong heroes, women are weak seductresses. Men are capable of saving the world on their own and their women will be there to welcome them at home when they return.

Enter Gail Carriger. She turned all of that inside out and I'm so grateful she did!

You see, even though I've always felt a lure toward the Hero's Journey, something never quite fit: there's been this nagging suspicion that I might be on a different path (or that there might even be a different path). Growing up, I wanted to be the hero, but I never wanted to end up alone. I wanted to save the day, but I hated aggressive violence. I preferred compromise and connection, but was scared to ask for help when I needed it. Carriger does a remarkable job of simultaneously educating and entertaining. I've learned so much about the Heroine's Journey! I've started reading the Greek myths of Demeter and Inanna and the Egyptian myth of Isis. I've reread Twilight and Harry Potter, lecturing to anyone that in fact, Harry was on a heroine’s, not a hero’s journey. I've gained a deeper appreciation for romance and young adult literature. I even rewatched some of my favorite romantic comedies! With this newly gained knowledge of the Heroine's structure and foundational myths, I still can't believe that this separate narrative structure has existed and I never found it.

Gail Carriger also does a fantastic job of writing to the writer. I appreciate her insight in how to write like a heroine and how to modify various archetypes in order to write engaging stories. I highly recommend this book to anyone curious about critically examining the Hero's Journey in order to break the binary of the male hero versus female seductress. I’m deep down the Heroine’s Journey rabbit hole now and I don't plan on emerging any time soon.

This was a good read and validated some of the adjustments I already make to the Heroes Journey process I use in planning and plotting a story. I do recommend for the technical aspects, especially if you like the Heroes Journey and find that it doesn't always suit your needs. I still use the Heroes Journey the way it is, but I'm more confident in softening or changing its parameters.