Falling Woman: Amazon.ca: Pat Murphy: Books

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Elizabeth Waters, an archeologist who abandoned her husband and daughter years ago to pursue her career, can see the shadows of the past. It's a gift she keeps secret from her colleagues and students, one that often leads her to incredible archeological discoveries and the realization that she might be going mad. Then on a dig in the Yucatan, the shadow of a Mayan priestess speaks to her. Suddenly Elizabeth's daughter Diane arrives, hoping to reconnect with her mother. As mother, daughter and priestess fall into the mysterious world of Mayan magic, it is clear one will be asked to make the ultimate sacrifice. The book won the 1988 Nebula Award. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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First Sentence
"I dig through ancient trash," I told the elegantly groomed young woman who had been sent by a popular women's magazine to write a short article on my work. Read the first page

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Customer Reviews

5 Reviews

5 star:		(3)
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Average Customer Review

4.2 out of 5 stars (5 customer reviews)

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4.0 out of 5 stars This is not Science Fiction., April 7 2004

By	D. Knouse (vancouver, washington United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Falling Woman, The (Hardcover)

While this is a solid, oftentimes engrossing piece of supernatural fiction, this is not a Science Fiction novel. I was certain it was, since it won the Nebula Award for best novel. About 100 pages in, however, I was a little disappointed that it wasn't. But it is extremely well-written and all the characters are realistic, even as one in particular is quite insane. This is a story where modern archaeology clashes with ancient mythology through space-time. That may sound like Science Fiction, but this book feels more like fiction with touches of fantasy shown through a woman's mind thoroughly baked in the Yucatan sun. All in all, this is a good book with interesting characters and writing so good that it flows along unnoticed until you find yourself somehow turning the final page. Take care.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Supernatural, paranormal mystery, Oct 26 2003

By	Mary C "NurseMare" (NJ, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Falling Woman (Paperback)

Elizabeth is a troubled woman archeologist. She left behind her husband and daughter to pursue a dream. She also sees the shades of the past. Are they just visions of what once was, or are they ghosts? This haunts her through her life and she wonders about her own sanity.

Her daughter Diane comes to the latest archeological dig in search of her mother. Why did her mother really leave her? What haunts her, troubles her? Diane seeks to understand her mother while just barely able to bury her own resentment for the abandonment she experienced.

This story, however, isn't just about family dynamics, or lack thereof. This is a story of the present which abruptly becomes entwined with the past. One of Elizabeth's visions see her and talks to her. Elizabeth and Diane become embroiled in a dangerous game where they may not survive. Can love triumph over the danger they face? You'll have to read this WONDERFUL book to find out. This was a truly satisfying read that kept me up past my bedtime and wishing for more. Read this book!

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5.0 out of 5 stars One of my top ten picks, Aug 6 2001

By	Darren McKeever (St. Louis, MO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Falling Woman (Paperback)

This is a fantastic book, but falls into the "Speculative Fiction" category as upposed to traditional F&SF, which for me made it all the more endearing. It is a wonderful character and relationship study of mother and daughter. The charaterization is so authentic that these two women really come to life. Even down to the manorisms of the mother's smoking habit. The way she pauses to light each cigarette.

The mother is a famous archeologist who had little time for her daughters upbringing. Reluctantly her, now adult, daughter joins her on a dig of the Mayan ruins. Ghosts of the past, both the Mayans, and the mother and daughter, mix to bring the two women closer together.

One of the most unique aspects of this book is that the two women take turns telling the story, so that each chapter swithes back and forth between opposite view points.

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