The Falling Woman
 First edition | |
| Author | Pat Murphy |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Peter Scanlan |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Psychological fantasy |
| Publisher | Tor Books |
Publication date | November 1986 |
| Pages | 287 |
| ISBN | 0312854064 |
The Falling Womanis a1986contemporary psychological fantasy novel byPat Murphy.The book won theNebula Award for Best Novelin 1987.[1]
Plot summary
[edit]Elizabeth Butler is anarchaeologist,and the author of several popular books that challenge her colleagues' ideas aboutMaya civilization.Elizabeth has a strange gift, connected to asuicideattempt as a young woman, which allows her to see the spirits of ancient people while she walks at dusk and dawn. The story opens with Elizabeth in the middle of an eight-week field study atDzibilchaltún.Her team hopes to find dramatic artifacts that will spark interest and increased funding for future field studies at the site.
In the middle of the field study, Elizabeth's estranged adult daughter Diane arrives unannounced. After the death of her father, Elizabeth's ex-husband, Diane suddenly abandoned her life in the United States, and flew toMexicoto see her mother. It is revealed that Diane has seen Elizabeth for only a few brief visits since Elizabeth left her as a young child to be raised by her father. Neither is sure what Diane wants from Elizabeth.
As the two struggle to connect, Elizabeth has a new experience: one of her spirit visions, a Mayan priestess named Zuhuy-kak, can see and speak with Elizabeth. Zuhuy-kak provides unprecedented knowledge about the Mayans' departure from Dzibilchaltún, and leads Elizabeth to the major archaeological find her team needs, but demands a sacrifice to the goddessIx Chebel Yax.As the dig progresses, haunted by bad luck and tragedy, Zuhuy-kak makes it clear that Elizabeth must sacrifice her daughter.
References
[edit]- ^ "The Nebula Awards".Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. Archived fromthe originalon August 28, 2008.Retrieved2008-11-15.
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