Broken Bodies [Paperback]

Sally Emerson (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Abacus (2003)
• ASIN: B000OWENUW
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars A Tale of Brokenness, February 12, 2005

By 

Irishgal (Arizona, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Broken Bodies (Paperback)

In the early nineteenth century, Countess Mary Elgin was convicted of adultery and ridiculed by society. During that same time, her husband returned from Greece with the Elgin Marbles, some of the Parthenon's most exquisite sculptures, which were later given to the British Museum. However, part of the artwork - the head of god Hermes - disappeared around the time of Elgin's appointment in Greece, and speculation has it that he knew where the head was.

Patrick Browning is an American historian obsessed with the past. His most recent project is a biography of the Countess Elgin, an attempt to clear Mary's name. While researching for the book, he comes across Mary's diaries, which are said to contain the secret of where Hermes' head is buried.

Anne Fitzgerald is a fiery Scottish researcher who is also writing Countess Elgin's biography. When she first meets Patrick at the British Museum, she immediately acknowledges him as the enemy. In turn, Patrick is both intrigued and annoyed by Anne's ruthlessness at getting the research she wants.

Someone, however, wants what is in Mary's diaries. After Patrick is brutally attacked, he realizes that there's more to the statues than meets the eye. Anne begins to become suspicious of her lover, Alexander, who has suddenly taken an unprecedented interest in her work. And when an acquaintance goes missing, the game becomes deadly.

"Broken Bodies" is the story of how all humans are in need of being where they belong. Faced with death, destruction, and obstacles, we all must find ways of coping, exhibiting bravery and courage when times call on us for it. Just as the head of Hermes must be re-united with his body to make the sculpture whole, so must our hearts and minds be united with our bodies to truly appreciate what we have in life.