A review by Lani Peterson

When looking up psychiatrist Allen Chinen’s work on Amazon.com, I was flabbergasted to find 165 references. The depth and range of his own published work is only matched by the number of other authors whose writing and exploration he has influenced. Listed in texts ranging from the exploration of menopause, to finding the soul in corporate America, Chinen’s work in story has influenced professionals in the areas of psychology, poetry, spirituality, medicine, and human resources.

Chinen’s exploration of fairy tales, classic tales and myths in relation to understanding phases of development and meaning-making for both men and women are displayed in works such as In the Ever After: Fairy Tales and the Second Half of Life, as well as Once upon a Midlife: Classic Stories and Mythic Tales to Illuminate the Middle Years, and Beyond the Hero: Classic stories of Men in Search of Soul.

To indulge myself, I embarked on a reading odyssey through Waking the World: Classic Tales of Women and Heroic Feminine. Broken into five sections this book explores some archetypal feminine themes as they are displayed through power, wisdom, nature, sisterhood and a journey to a new world (which is about reconciliation with men). After researching literally thousands of fairy tales, Chinen chose twelve fairy tales from around the world to illustrate his themes. As the women heroines in his stories overcome adversities including betrayal, abuse, oppression and abandonment, they find the strength and wisdom to transform their own situations, often bringing help and healing to others in the process. The struggle between the archetypal feminine and masculine found within every person, provides the background for a journey through which every reader can benefit. Each fairy tale is followed by an in-depth and extensive commentary from Chinen, where possible interpretations of the stories are interwoven with vignettes from his own clients in therapeutic treatment.

In his prologue, Chinen himself raises the question of why women would be interested in reading a man’s interpretation of this literature. He goes on to answer his own question. He brings the outsider’s viewpoint. And yet, it is one offered with tremendous respect, thoughtfulness and extensive research. Ultimately, each reader must come to his or her own interpretation. I, for one, greatly appreciated and enjoyed Chinen’s guidance through complex, intriguing and important subject matter.

Allen Chinen will be a presenter at the Healing Through Story conference in Minneapolis the last weekend in February. Go to the HSA website to learn more about Chinen’s presentation as well as the multiple other exciting workshops being offered.