Addiction to Perfection: The Still Unravished Bride: A Psychological Study (Studies in Jungian Psychology, 12.)

"I am not sure what good it does trying to justify this book's position to those who have commented negatively on it here. This book broke me out of a cycle of destruction and gave me tremendous insights into my reality. I guess the truth is everyone's path is different. What Jungian is to me is not what it is to everyone else. This is understandable. Woodman, in this book, says, "The world of the feminine resonates. Timing is everything. If it doesn't ring, either it is the wrong spiral or the wrong time or there is no bell." (Preface, p. 8) Indeed, the bell does not ring true for everyone.

I cannot say enough how healing Woodman's words are here. She writes from a center that is all at the same time meandering, expansive, illuminating and positive. She expertly combines all of the complex elements explored into a whole that leaves me feeling nurtured as an individual and enlightened in a way only someone in touch with positive femininity could do.

Though the wording is almost entirely devoted to women here, like Woodman says, the witch is felt everywhere. The drive for perfection is ruthlessly felt in both sexes. As a man I have read this book countless times because it is the right bell at the right time, regardless of sex. It may not be easily digestible by the masses, and that's ok. Personally the collective has never offered much insight to me. If you are feeling compelled to the realm this book explores, follow it. Find your own truth outside of the best-selling list."
~ Written on 2007-03-14

"I got this book several years ago. It has changed my life.

Marion gets to the heart of women's behavior in a way few can. To me this book is even better than "women who run with wolves". Marion talks about dysfunction from the inside out. She digs into dreams, symbols,and behavior to show why we do what we do.

This isnt just a simple 1,2,3 self help book. For me this a workbook for my life.

"
~ Written on 2007-03-03

"Hey, I'm an archetype anyway you slice it. Prodigal, jester, shaman, wanderer-it's all in there. I have made millions of dollars from ideas that come to me in dreams. Jung would laugh at this book. Believe me. Look inside yourself. And laugh."
~ Written on 2001-02-04

"This book has gone a long way toward helping me bring some key issues in my life and dreams to consciousness. Having read a lot of Woodman's writings, I'd have to say this may be her key book.

After reading the review written by the reviewer below I'm reminded of the fact that the Jungian way of thinking is not for everyone. Those who tend to take life events, stories, dreams, and personalities literally will probably think this book is loopy. However, I have found that the use of archetypal images and themes in exploring my life goes a long way toward getting at the depths of who I am without explaining away the mystery or reducing myself to a one-dimensional being.

Woodman is a brilliant archetypal thinker. This book is so dense with good stuff that it is impossible to absorb it all in one or even two readings. Well worth having around to read over and over again"
~ Written on 2000-09-20

"Jung is loopy. Jungian psychology is loopy. Jungian psychologists are loopy. It surprises me that people take this stuff as seriously as they do. Maybe there's a good Jungian explanation for that too. That said, Jung was, in my opinion, the Wagner of early psychology, and, like Wagnerian opera, there's a lot to be learned by mulling over some of the ideas presented therein. But remember, Jung was more of a Romantic philosopher than a psychologist. Colorful stuff. Just don't take it too seriously."
~ Written on 2000-09-03