Who needs a hero when you can be your own heroine? Although most women dream of finding the solid support of their very own Mr. Thornton or Mr. Darcy, there is great advantage in recognizing and cultivating your own strengths first and foremost.
Authors Sophie and Charlotte Andrews have created a charming handbook on how to be your own heroine using the examples of six famous literary protagonists. Be Your Own Heroine: Life Lessons from Literature dives into the qualities that help steady the boat and sweeten the ride on the ofttimes bumpy journey of life.
I was glad to see that the authors picked a variety of heroines from both classic and modern novels. This broad array helped expand my awareness of two new-to-me heroines. And now that I know a little about Eleanor Oliphant and July (from The Long Song), I’m intrigued and eager to read those stories!
Of course, not everyone’s favorites could be included in this compact book. And no, Margaret Hale from North and South did not make the list. But the authors do mention Elizabeth Gaskell in their introduction, which is fantastic!
I loved the tips for practicing your heroine qualities that are found at the end of every section. This is an encouraging book. It would make a sweet gift for any female friend or family member who could use a little boost of empowerment.
Be Your Own Heroine: Life Lessons from Literature
Having brought you the wisdom of Austen in Be More Jane, eager reader Sophie Andrews joins forces with her sister Charlotte and turns her attention to what can be learned from the heroines of other stories from past and present. Whatever your taste in authors, there will be strong female characters you can relate to, from Jo March, the tiger-sister in Little Women, to Eleanor Oliphant, the socially bemused heroine of Gail Honeyman's prize-winning first novel. There are spirited young women such as Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice, and Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series; and then there are the survivors – July in The Long Song and Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games. Sophie and Charlotte show how these six inspirational young women can inspire you and guide you through life's challenges. Whether you are faced with hard times at home, in love, or at work, these characters have something to teach you.
Book giveaway!
Tell us your favorite heroines.
CICO Books is generously offering a copy of Be Your Own Heroine to one fortunate reader. The giveaway is open to readers from the U.S. and U.K. only, and will run through Sunday, October 25, 2020. To enter, please leave a comment naming one or more of your favorite heroines. Don’t forget to leave your email address. The winner will be chosen randomly and announced in the comments section of this post.
Sophie and Charlotte Andrews Author Biography:
Sophie and Charlotte Andrews are sisters who both love to lose themselves in books. Charlotte’s passion for reading and writing began in her earliest years. She studied Latin American literature as part of her degree at Warwick University, but especially enjoys historical fiction. Younger sister Sophie appreciates many different genres – however her true love is for all things Jane Austen, an enthusiasm that was initially sparked by studying Pride and Prejudice at school. She started her blog, Laughing with Lizzie, in 2012, aged 16, and soon began to participate in Austen events and festivals around the country. As a founder member of the Jane Austen Pineapple Appreciation Society, she organises house parties, balls and picnics and starred in the 2017 BBC documentary “My Friend Jane”. Her first book, Be More Jane, was published in 2019 by CICO Books. Sophie lives in Berkshire.
