In Full Bloom: Tales of Women in Their Prime

by Sharon Creeden

Book Overview

This books celebrates mature women - women whom author Sharon Creeden likens to fully opened blossoms.

A professional storyteller, Creeden draws on folktales, her stock-in-trade, to illuminate female heroism and life issues women face, including childbirth, aging, and death. Each folktale is paired with a vignette about a notable American woman. Using this approach, Creeden provides a rich context...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0874839513
• ISBN13: 9780874839517
• Release Date: May 2012
• Publisher: August House Publishers
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

An excellent idea!

What a great idea! In Full Bloom pairs folktales from all over the world with vignettes about real women--real, mature women. Each folktale/vignette exemplifies a certain trait or common experience of mature women, such as "Protecting Our Daughters" (Demeter and Persephone/Elizabeth Morgan) and "Breaking Free of Convention" (Lilith/Mae West).Additionally, the book is broken up into two sections, Roses and Not Roses. The Roses are the traditional women, or women acting in traditional roles, while the Not Roses are untraditional women. Creeden doesn't denigrate or glorify either--she celebrates them equally and shows the reader the best sides of those roles.Finally, Creeden includes a comprehensive collection of notes, which I particularly liked. I'm interested in folklore, so the notes gave me a good starting place for more research.I have no problem recommending this book to everyone. Just because it's about mature women doesn't mean only they will appreciate it!

Men's book club enjoyed it

My men's book club chose this book as its nonfiction selection of the month. 7 of 8 men felt that the book added to their appreciation of women's issues. The presentation--folktales paired with short essays on strong contemporary women--gave insights we felt to be valuable.

In Full Bloom

What a delightful book! I laughed and cried. Ms. Creeden has been able to connect folktale and legend to lives of real people. Her choices are so varied we are treated to ancient tales as well as urban stories -- Women who are "Roses" and "Not Roses", well known and unknown. In doing so, she captures the essence of women's struggles and joys with both insight and wit! A good read and great examples for our own journeys!

In Full Bloom

I absolutely loved this book. It is wonderful to read stories about strong and diverse women. I am giving it out as holiday presents to everyone this year. I reccomend this book to everyone!