Glennon Doyle is foremost a woman who is finally hearing her own voice.  Doyle’s 2020 memoir, Untamed, has sold over 1 million copies and claimed 54 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. According to her website, “Untamed is about how to be brave…. The braver we are the luckier we get.” Doyle balances the styles of memoir and social commentary beautifully; it’s as if she has invited you to her kitchen table, handed you a warm cup of tea, and asked your opinions on society’s biggest issues. 

Doyle first rose to fame on her Christian mommy blog, “Momastery,” which she started after quitting her job to stay home with her three children. Prior to Untamed, she published two books, Love Warrior and Carry on Warrior: Thoughts on Life Unarmed, about saving her marriage with her husband, raising children, recovering from addiction, and more. 

Untamed is different, though. While trying to reconcile with her husband after his infidelity, Doyle met her now-wife, Olympic soccer star Abby Wambach. Doyle stopped denying her own discontent, fell in love with Abby, and “quit being good so she could be free.” Now, she is urging women to stop trying to be “good” and embrace their untamed nature. 

Doyle candidly offers a glimpse into her newly constructed life, addresses the awakening of her “knowing,” and discusses mothering, friendships, love, and, of course, cheetahs. Doyle writes, “the more consistently, bravely, and precisely I follow the inner Knowing, the more precise and beautiful my outer life becomes.” She writes candidly about her struggles and celebrates her successes. She embraces her humor and warmth while empowering her readers to listen to their own knowing. Doyle encourages her readers to acknowledge and respect her outlooks and experiences while forming their own remarkable and important beliefs.

I came away feeling empowered and confident, hearing Doyle’s words of encouragement echoing through my mind in moments of conflict; “stop trying to find common ground,” she instructs, “and let everybody be the sea.”  Doyle confronts contentious points in our society, such as religion, race, politics, and parenting, but beyond that, she offers answers and solutions. Untamed will be a provocative read for anyone who refuses change, and an inspiring read for those who embrace it.

Untamed is in the Dana Hall Library and is widely available in bookstores.