Customer Reviews
Supernatural, paranormal mystery - By: Mary Chrapliwy, 01 Jan 2008 
Elizabeth is a troubled woman archeologist. She left behind her husband & 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 & she wonders about her own sanity.
Her daughter Diane comes to the latest archeological digin 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 & talks to her. Elizabeth & Diane become embroiledin 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 & wishing for more. Read this book!
worth the read - By: Elsa Panciroli, 26 May 2003 
If you are expecting a work of excellence - you will be dissapointed - but this is not to say that 'Falling Woman' isn't worth reading.
The story isin many ways quite predictable, & the writing style can be seen to be somewhat basic & even crudein places. Having said that, Pat Murphy manages to keep us on at least a few of our toes throughout.
Its an unusual tale that mixes real archeology & meso-american culture, with echoes of past lives & a hint of magick just to strengthen the brew.
Certainly not science fiction - despite its placing there!
The basic storyline deals with a troubled archeologist & her daughter, & how their lives tie into those of the people whose bones are uncovered at a digin south america.
I'd say it was a womens book predominantly, & of interest to anyone who likes mayan or aztec culture, has an interestin shamanism & past lives, or who just wants to read something with a touch of macickin it.
Not as good as debut - By: Mr. R. J. Hole, 05 Dec 2002 I bought this book because I enjoyed Pat Murphy's first novel so much & 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 writtenin the first person which is unusualin that there are two major characters, mother & daughter. The way she achieves this is by subtitling each chapter with the name of the character.
The story is setin an archaeological sitein Yucatan. Elizabeth Butler, the mother, sees 'ghosts' from the past. Some consider her mad & she hasin the past been locked upin a madhouse. Her daughter who's going through a bad patch, due to the death of her father & 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 & talks with the mother. There is a subplot about the daughter & one of the other women on the dig having romantic interestsin the local town.
I didn't think this novel was as good as her first, or the short story Rachelin Love. She seems to be trying to say something about relationships between mother & daughter, male & female. This aspect of the novel is unsuccessful as far as I am concerned. The fantasy side works fairly well however.
I just couldn't put it down for a minute!!! - By: , 16 Feb 2001 Pat Murphy skillfully weaves a tale of a Mother & Daughter brought together by only one thing that they havein 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, & 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 Motherin South America, where she is on an archaeological dig. Pat Murphy tells the story of how Elizabeth & Diane save each other from the past, from the images that have haunted Elizabeth for many years, & 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 & skill has produced a "must read" book. Especially for any archaeolgy enthusiasts!
