The Melancholy of Anatomy: Stories

by Shelley Jackson

Book Overview

Amusing, touching, and unsettling, The Melancholy of Anatomy is that most wonderful of fictions, one that makes us see the world in an entirely new light. Here is the body turned inside out, its members set free, its humors released upon the world. Hearts bigger than planets devour light and warp the space around them; the city of London has a menstrual flow that gushes through its underground pipes; gobs of phlegm cement friendships and sexual relationships;...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 038572120X
• ISBN13: 9780385721202
• Release Date: April 2002
• Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.3" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

Highly Recommended

Writing in general is a way to express opinions and emotions; it's an art in itself with little in the form of limitations. It is something that anyone can do but each time will turn out unique to the writer, reflecting them. It is almost like they art bottling up their minds and pouring them out onto paper, a window into the writer's mind laid bare for it's readers to interpet. I myself see writing as something to appreciate; creative and striking at times, while capable of horrifying and bringing forth a certain level of disgust. It is something incredibly powerful in terms of emotions and capabilities. In each story this author expressed different and very distinctive emotions about friendship, family, love, hate and jealousy among other things. I found myself going back to reread passages and several stories not out of confusion but to let the deep nature of the pieces sink in some more. The abstract style and approach to each situation Jackson takes constantly kept me attentive while at the same time utterly captivated. She personifies the beauty found within the human mind. The mind is capable of undeniably astonishing feats as well as incredible wickedness and complexity. It's an amazing thing unique to every being. People complain about the style of this author being difficult to follow, but if you are accustomed to the more creative approaches/styles of writing there should be no issue. If your new to it just keep an open mind and analyze each piece as a whole rather than parts. It's supposed to bring forth thoughts of your own, which is one of the many qualities that make this book so amazing in the first place! (Think of Windows vs. Linux OS's here. Windows is easier to use because everything is done automatically for you while Linux is more hands on and requires some creativity on the part of the user. Windows doesn't leave much comfort room or personal levels of satisfaction, Linux possesses both but more time and effort. Personally, those having issues with this author's style simply don't take the time to really appreciate it for what it is.)

Thought Provoking

The Meloncholy of Anatomy is one of the most insightful books I've read in a very long time. I was amazed at the use of the metaphorical language pretaining to the view of the stories. This book inspired me to become part of the Skin Project put on by Shelly Jackson, author of this book.

Absolutely Remarkable

Shelley Jackson really knows how to do it, and this book is a keen demonstration of her literary abilties. She pulls off a gutsy fictitious romp through the four humors, both entertaining the reader and airing her wonderous ability to write. All at once, her writing is hopeful and dreary, unsettling, yet so comfortable, one could wrap oneself in it. Definitely, this is one of the most interesting books - both in premise and execution - that I have ever read.This book is arguably nothing more than an exercise in experimental fiction. It will not fly off the shelves, and it will not be a best seller. Rather, it is a gem which will be ignored by most, disliked by many, and loved by few. Jackson, here, portrays various parts of the body in environments which they are not usually found. A large foetus arrives in a town, looming overhead in an enormous fashion. From this viewpoint, it partakes in the activities of the town, serving as a pastor and -- remarkably -- as a sort of guiding light."Egg" is another story which I personally enjoyed. There is bleeding symbolism, and in some respects (throughout the book), heavy handed metaphors. Despite this, though, "Egg" is, for me, the most interesting story in the book. Jackson tells of an egg from a woman's tear duct which grows larger and larger. Throughout the story, Jackson punctuates her writing with a sort of omniscient commentary - it is witty and cynical - an easter egg found in this literary scape.Overall, this book is well worth the while of anyone who loves to read something slightly offbeat, darkly humorous, and definitely interesting. It is an enjoyable romp through the parts of the human body, a romp which is playful and disturbing all at once. Really superb.

Explore Your Body

The four humors get a work out in this amazing collection of stories. Jackson starts with something really basic (like phlegm, or sperm, or fat!) and just works wonders with it -- she's the Martha Stewart of body fluids!

Fabulous.

You can't go wrong with this hilarious collection. Jackson shows that when bodies go awry -- and they do, a lot -- some great, gruesome comedy results. Buy two copies -- one for yourself, and one to give away, because you're not going to want to keep this all to yourself!