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Quick answer: If you loved Women Who Run with the Wolves, try The Faithful Gardener, The Artist's Way, Big Magic, Untamed, Rage Becomes Her and Braiding Sweetgrass. These books use story, myth and personal reflection to help women reclaim creativity and strength.
Clarissa Pinkola Estés's 1992 bestseller is a collection of myths, fairy tales and psychological essays on the “wild woman” archetype. It is poetic and personal, and readers return to it for years. Those who finish it often want more writing that blends stories and self-discovery. These 15 books include Estés's other work, modern memoirs and books on creativity and rage, with a focus on women's inner lives.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Faithful Gardener | Clarissa Pinkola Estés | Adult | more by the same author |
| The Gift of Story | Clarissa Pinkola Estés | Adult | readers who want a short read |
| The Artist's Way | Julia Cameron | Adult | creative people |
| Big Magic | Elizabeth Gilbert | Adult | readers who want encouragement |
| Untamed | Glennon Doyle | Adult | readers who like a modern memoir |
| Rage Becomes Her | Soraya Chemaly | Adult | readers who want a cultural look |
| Burnout | Emily and Amelia Nagoski | Adult | readers who feel worn out |
| The Heroine's Journey | Maureen Murdock | Adult | readers who like mythology |
| Goddesses in Everywoman | Jean Shinoda Bolen | Adult | readers who like archetypes |
| The Dance of Anger | Harriet Lerner | Adult | readers who want relationship help |
| Wild Feminine | Tami Lynn Kent | Adult | readers who want a body-centered approach |
| The Mists of Avalon | Marion Zimmer Bradley | Adult | readers who want a novel |
| Circe | Madeline Miller | Adult | readers who like myth retellings |
| Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer | Adult | readers who love nature |
| Wild | Cheryl Strayed | Adult | readers who want a journey story |
1. The Faithful Gardener by Clarissa Pinkola Estés
A short, tender story about a gardener who protects a seed through war. Estés's book of storytelling and hope.
Best for: more by the same author.
2. The Gift of Story by Clarissa Pinkola Estés
A very short tale of a grandmother who teaches the value of stories. Warm and quick.
Best for: readers who want a short read.
3. The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron
A 12-week course to unblock creativity, with morning pages and artist dates. Practical and widely loved.
Best for: creative people.
4. Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
Gilbert offers a light, encouraging look at living a creative life. Quick and friendly.
Best for: readers who want encouragement.
5. Untamed by Glennon Doyle
Doyle writes about listening to your inner voice and breaking free of expectations. Funny and emotional.
Best for: readers who like a modern memoir.
6. Rage Becomes Her by Soraya Chemaly
Chemaly explains why women are told to suppress anger and how to use it. Smart and clear.
Best for: readers who want a cultural look.
7. Burnout by Emily and Amelia Nagoski
The Nagoski sisters explain stress, how to complete the stress cycle and how to rest. Practical and funny.
Best for: readers who feel worn out.
8. The Heroine's Journey by Maureen Murdock
Murdock reimagines the hero's journey from a woman's point of view. Thoughtful and influential.
Best for: readers who like mythology.
9. Goddesses in Everywoman by Jean Shinoda Bolen
A Jungian psychiatrist uses Greek goddesses to describe types of women. Classic of 1980s thinking.
Best for: readers who like archetypes.
10. The Dance of Anger by Harriet Lerner
Lerner shows how to use anger as a tool for change in relationships. Clear and practical.
Best for: readers who want relationship help.
11. Wild Feminine by Tami Lynn Kent
A guide to women's bodies and energy from a physical therapist. Gentle and practical.
Best for: readers who want a body-centered approach.
12. The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
The King Arthur story told from the women's perspective. Long, rich and influential.
Best for: readers who want a novel.
13. Circe by Madeline Miller
Circe, a witch exiled by the gods, finds her power. Lyrical and moving.
Best for: readers who like myth retellings.
14. Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
A botanist and Potawatomi writer blends science and Indigenous wisdom. Beautiful and wise.
Best for: readers who love nature.
15. Wild by Cheryl Strayed
After her mother's death, Strayed hikes the Pacific Crest Trail. Honest and moving.
Best for: readers who want a journey story.
How to Choose
If you want more Estés, start with her shorter books. For creativity, choose The Artist's Way or Big Magic. For stories of women's anger and rest, try Rage Becomes Her and Burnout. For myth and fiction, read Circe or The Mists of Avalon. Estés's work is poetic and mythic, and some scholars question her claims, so read it as inspiration rather than science. A gentle way to use this list is to read one story or chapter at a time and write down what it stirs up, then follow it with a practical book such as The Artist's Way when you want to act on the ideas.
Related: 15 Books Like Little Women You’ll Love: Sisters, Families and Classic Stories · 15 Books Like It Ends with Us You’ll Love: Emotional Romance and Hard Choices
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the wild woman archetype?
Estés uses it to describe a natural, instinctive self that women are encouraged to suppress, which she says can be recovered through stories.
Is the book scientific?
No. It draws on Jungian psychology, folklore and Estés's experience as an analyst, and it is not a scientific study.
Is it a quick read?
No. It is long and dense, and many readers dip into one story at a time.
Which companion book should I try first?
The Artist's Way is the most practical, and Circe is a good fiction companion.
Is Women Who Run with the Wolves a book of fairy tales?
It includes retellings of folktales such as 'Bluebeard' and 'The Ugly Duckling', each followed by commentary on what the story means for women.
Who is it for?
It is mainly written for women, though readers of any gender may find the stories and ideas moving.