Women Rowing North

By: Mary Pipher

Narrated by: Suzanne Toren

From the New York Times best-selling author of Reviving Ophelia, a guide to wisdom, authenticity and bliss for women as they age.

Women growing older contend with ageism, misogyny and loss. Yet as Mary Pipher shows, most older women are deeply happy and filled with gratitude for the gifts of life. Their struggles help them grow into the authentic, empathetic and wise people they have always wanted to be.

In Women Rowing North, Pipher offers a timely examination of the cultural and developmental issues women face as they age. Drawing on her own experience as daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, caregiver, clinical psychologist and cultural anthropologist, she explores ways women can cultivate resilient responses to the challenges they face.

'If we can keep our wits about us, think clearly, and manage our emotions skillfully,' Pipher writes, 'we will experience a joyous time of our lives. If we have planned carefully and packed properly, if we have good maps and guides, the journey can be transcendent.'

©2019 Mary Pipher (P)2019 Audible, Ltd

Critic reviews

"Narrator Suzanne Toren's mature pitch and thoughtful phrasing are perfect for this memoir-like review of the various ways women transition into their later years. Her sensitive interpretation of this nuanced writing will make many listeners feel like they are being invited into the author's life as they hear her intelligent observations and advice.... Toren's touching performance is especially effective in capturing Mary Pipher's melancholy optimism, especially when reading candid stories from the author's own experiences." (AudioFile Magazine)

KC

A must read for women of ALL ages as we all struggles and transitions to navigate and incorporate into our own personal narrative.

Uplifting and inspiring

Pipher captures the joys and pains of women’s lives in their last 20 years (or so). I’m age 63. She helped me accept and appreciate my current stage of life by describing the trends in my thinking and ideals that I thought were a unique part of me and my life. But by realizing they are characteristic of women rowing north, I found solace. Her writing is beautiful and voice is soothing. I enjoyed listening in bed at night. Listening to this book made me feel happy.

Gals, get in your boats and start rowing!

We've all got a next chapter of our lives. This a helpful guide for navigating the river.

Not much new here

The narrator's voice made everything sound cliche and ho hum. I'm a fan of Mary Pipher but this was not her best work.

lots of useful information, many great stories

good for men and women
being ready to recognize and lose yourself in your bliss is good advice

narrator was stiff, no pauses to allow absorption of deep fhoughts

The three-legged cat

I felt the narrator for this book didn't excellent job. I found many of the stories examples. relatable and helpful. It's a wonderful book regarding women and aging and taking a deep hard look at our lives. Mrs. Pipher should have left out the ending with the three-legged cat. She either didn't explain that situation carefully or displayed woeful ignorance regarding helping that cat. She made several points of the fact that she liked and let a life of helping people and animals. I believe this. The three-legged cat is not an example of that behavior. however. everyone knows that a three-legged cat or a four-legged cat of any kind cannot exist and bird seed. If you knew of a three-legged cat in your neighborhood that was mangy and skinny, then do something for the creature. admiring it rolling in the sunshine after 8:00. it's bird. seed is foolish and hurtful. in spite of the many pluses regarding her story, this ending really disturbed me.

Relevancy

Overall a good book. It validated many of my experiences. Liked all the examples from other peoples lives. Also enjoyed her Colorado references.

For all aging women:you’re not alone!

Navigating our elder years is hard, but Pipher puts us in touch with many who are on the journey with us, including herself. She only tells stories, no advice or platitudes. Stories that made me feel connected to the larger tribe of old women. She does not shy away from or gloss over the hard stuff. Neither does she forget the bliss, wonder and gratitude that can come with having survived many years.

Must read..

Loved it, loved the stories and the voice of the narrator. Very relevant for a 60 yr old.

Lack non-traditional family’s experiences

I enjoyed the book even though it’s more for women in the last stage of life. Comes across as traditional white educated female experiences rather than the multicultural diverse female experiences of current times. I couldn’t relate to many of the concepts addressed in the book. The author mother was a doctor. I grew up in poverty with an uneducated set of parents. Overall ok, but needs a more ample view of the female experience since it has evolved significantly in last decades.