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Rating: 
Summary: Absolutely Remarkable
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Explore Your Body
Review: 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!
Rating: 
Summary: Confusing, but engaging
Review: This is a very intruiging book. I truely can't put it down, and the disturbing images stay with me as I'm trying to sleep. Jackson uses the idea of body and disease in the real, taking physical body attributes and making them hold other characteristics. Cancer fills a room, sperm can be watched in a guppy bowl, and fetuses float through a town. Bizarre, but strangely compelling, and it's definitely something to read more than once.
Rating:
Summary: Confusing, but engaging
Review: This is a very intruiging book. I truely can't put it down, and the disturbing images stay with me as I'm trying to sleep. Jackson uses the idea of body and disease in the real, taking physical body attributes and making them hold other characteristics. Cancer fills a room, sperm can be watched in a guppy bowl, and fetuses float through a town. Bizarre, but strangely compelling, and it's definitely something to read more than once.
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