- Paperback: 288 pages
- Publisher: Tom Doherty Assoc Llc; Reissue edition (Nov 1988)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0812546229
- ISBN-13: 978-0812546224
- Product Dimensions: 17 x 10.4 x 2.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,094,030 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I bought this book because I enjoyed Pat Murphy's first novel so much and her short stories. I have since discovered that this book won the 1987 Nebula Award for best novel. This surprised me a little because it is not actually science fiction: the category on the back cover is Fiction/Fantasy.
The novel is again written in the first person which is unusual in that there are two major characters, mother and daughter. The way she achieves this is by subtitling each chapter with the name of the character.
The story is set in an archaeological site in Yucatan. Elizabeth Butler, the mother, sees 'ghosts' from the past. Some consider her mad and she has in the past been locked up in a madhouse. Her daughter who's going through a bad patch, due to the death of her father and break-up of a relationship goes to stay with her mother who she hasn't really known since about 5 years old. The daughter also starts seeing images of the past. One of the shadows of the past is a priestess who can also see them and talks with the mother. There is a subplot about the daughter and one of the other women on the dig having romantic interests in the local town.
I didn't think this novel was as good as her first, or the short story Rachel in Love. She seems to be trying to say something about relationships between mother and daughter, male and female. This aspect of the novel is unsuccessful as far as I am concerned. The fantasy side works fairly well however.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Pat Murphy skillfully weaves a tale of a Mother and Daughter brought together by only one thing that they have in common, they can see the past. Elizabeth Butler is a quiet woman who keeps herself to herself, she does not become attached to material possessions, it seems that all she has is what she sees, and this is the past. Her daughter Diane, who she left when she was 4 years old, suddenly becomes a part of her life again after Dianes Father dies of a heart attack. Diane goes to find her Mother in South America, where she is on an archaeological dig. Pat Murphy tells the story of how Elizabeth and Diane save each other from the past, from the images that have haunted Elizabeth for many years, and those images which her daughter has also started to see. This book is one of, if not the best novel I have ever read, such thought and skill has produced a "must read" book. Especially for any archaeolgy enthusiasts!
Format: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!
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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