Customer Reviews

The Jigsaw Woman

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Admittedly, it has been a few years since I last read this book, but I don't believe I will ever forget it. My sister(now deceased) bought me a copy from a discount book store, and it's been one of my favorites ever since.
This book definitely gives an interesting perspective on the history of women, and history in general. The main character, Keelie, is a science project(one of several) to Victor, a man of questionable sanity. She stars a bubbly, empty-headed blonde, and goes through a journey of self-discovery that many women partake in... just a much more in-depth, reincarnated one.
We see the character go through changes in personality and physical appearance, and we see the way she interacts with the other characters that play in the book. How each life is altered, and each one brings her to the person she ends up at the end of the book.
It is very hard to describe this book without giving away many of the plot points, other than saying that it's a book about self-discovery, love, and sex. Lots, and lots of sex. I agree with one of the other reviewers in that there was an awful lot of profanity, but profanity is real. That's the way a lot of people talk, and I think that reflected, in part, how raw Keelie's personality was.
So if you're looking for a bizarre plot, likeable and very real characters, read this book. I can garuntee you'll never forget it.

It's been a long time since I have read a book that so changed my outlook on life. The concept of this book was very unique, and it portrayed women's issues in a very different light than they are usually portrayed. It is a healing, self-sustaining light, not a "pity me, i'm a poor abused woman" light. I reccommend this book to everyone that I know, and have given several copies to friends. I strongly reccommend it.

I picked up the book because the author's name was familiar. The book is powerful; both the use of language and the story itself reminded me of The Female Man by Joanna Russ. Had this book been written in the early 70's, it likely would have received the same notoriety and generated the same debates regarding the nature of science fiction. The interleaving of the previous incarnations with the current "reality" is sometimes too abrupt. The only true criticism I have is that it needs a better editor. I found the writing sometimes self-indulgent, and that indulgence interfered with the storytelling. Again, the same criticism I have of Joanna Russ's work.

The premise was very interesting -- a woman put together out of the bodies of others -- but where Antieau takes this idea makes little connection with the idea itself. She quickly turns the story into a piece of feminist and New Age propaganda, harking back to an age of serenity when all women and men (clearly in that order) lived in peace and harmony with Mother Goddess Earth. There is no real plot, with what conflict there is (with the dark rapist/incestuous Father Lee) being all dull and predictable and wrapped up in a neat, tiny package at the end.

Antieau's word-smithing style also irritated me. She writes in short, choppy sentences, which are regularly not even full sentences. It's like reading Hemingway but with his powerful vision condemned to a utopian New Ageism. On the other hand her choice of words can often evoke powerful imagery, but I found this redeeming feature to be drowned by the rest of the book's lackluster performance.

Not recommended.

I read this book in a day, playing sick so that I wouldn't be disturbed! It really changed my outlook on life. I would recommend this book to ANYONE and often times do. It is very imaginative and really did something good for my soul. It gave me a new hope and respect for true love and fate. If you haven't read it yet, read it!

This has to be the best book I've ever read by a contemporary author. It is, in fact, the only book I've cared to read more than once... EVER. Ms. Antieau's beautiful use of imagery and symbolism, her thoughtful tangle of mythologies and history, and her in-your-face sarcasm make for not only a good read, but a thought provoking and life altering legend. I have yet to loan this book to a person who's outlook on life wasn't forever changed. Absolutely glorious.

I have to say that this is one of the best books that I have ever read! I couldn't put it down once I picked it up and have read and re-read it to the point that I need to get another copy because my original copy is thrashed! I recomend this book to anyone who wants a read that keeps them on their toes and leaves them wanting more.

I read this about 13 or so years ago and all this time later - I still have my original copy. I've lost a lot of books over the years but for some reason when I ready this one I never wanted to give it up or lend it out. The story it tells is great and yes it is a rather feminist book but one I believe any one reading in the fantasy or fiction genre might enjoy. I highly recommend it!

I like this book a lot. It really has a bunch of cute conceits and a plot and main character easy to care about. The historical parts are not very realistic, but hey, it's fantasy.

This book was the most incredible piece of work I have ever read. I got it over a year ago and have read it several times since then. The plot was pretty complicated, what with travelling through lives and all, but- all the more reason to read it over! As for that "feminist, new age propaganda" comment made by that other guy- that "propaganda" changed my life. I know it seems odd that one's life should be changed by a book but this one truly had a lasting effect on me. I worshipped the goddess before I read this but I gained a clearer understanding after reading it, though that may not be what it was intended for.