Stonehenge

A Novel of 2000 BC

By: Bernard Cornwell

Narrated by: Geoffrey Howard

Length: 15 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

Four thousand years ago, a stranger's death and his ominous "gift" of gold precipitates the building of what will become known as one of mankind's most remarkable achievements. Stonehenge catapults us into a powerful and vibrant world of ritual and sacrifice at once timeless and wholly original. This is an epic tale of patricide, betrayal, and murder; of brotherly rivalry; and of the never-ending quest for power, wealth, and spiritual fulfillment.

Three brothers, rivals, are uneasily united in their quest to create a temple to their gods. Cornwell's re-creation of civilization as it might have been in 2000 B.C. amplifies the mystery of his subject and makes the world of Stonehenge come alive as never before.

Don't miss the rest of Bernard Cornwell's literary masterpieces.

©2000 Bernard Cornwell (P)2001 Books on Tape, Inc.

Critic reviews

"An epic story told with a master's skill, presenting powerful personalities, high dramas, and terrific climaxes with color and pace." (Times Literary Supplement)
"A sweeping, dramatic epic....A story of human greed and passion backlit by the construction of [Stonehenge]." (Bookpage)
"[Cornwell] imaginatively unlocks the mystery of Stonehenge's creation....This wild tale, rich with sorcery, pagan ritual, greed, and intrigue, is Cornwell's most ambitious fiction yet....Cornwell's portrayal of life and death in ancient Britain is graphic, gritty, and riveting. However, his detailed descriptions of how Stonehenge was constructed utilizing primitive engineering are the real strength of this book." (Publishers Weekly)

Stonehenge Possibilities

I enjoyed this story. It gives very plausible reasons for the phenomenal work and dedication that must have been required for the building of Stonehenge and similar, if smaller, structures. It is scary to see, even in this fictional form, religiously motivated fervor in action; but it is also inspiring to see the creativity and commitment and pure sweat people are capable of expending to achieve their goals. A good story - good characters, good plot, great details.

Ambitious

This story explores human nature and the human condition by going back to a state of nature.I was able to suspend my disbelief.I am a WASP.

Not his best book

But still good. Wish it came with a map of the settlements featured with their modern-day names.

Too much copy spent on the actual building of the temple, perhaps of more interest to stonemasons or builders.

Stonehenge

I love Bernard Cornwell's work. His stories are steeped in an air of reality, and while I read or listen, I forget they are fiction.

This book felt so real to me that I kept stopping and walking away while listening. I was worried about the main character, afraid for him, and, finally, accepting of his fate.

I can rate this book in ONE word, Bob, .....

BORING! It was too long and too many adjectives. The extreme overuse of such words as "filthy, matted, dirty, etc" bored me to tears. A reader does not need to be told every single time a character enters that he is still filthy or whatever, especially with multiple adjectives. The story dragged seriously and is really a rehash of an untold number of previous novels...most of which are infinitely better written. It plods like a great elephant in mud.

Moving rocks

Getting through this one is almost as difficult and moving the stones for the ancient temple. I'm not sure whether it's the terribly repetitive and transparent plot or the narrator's voice which lilts along as if reading a bedtime story to a child then ends each sentence as if it were a question. Don't waste your time on this one.

A good story lost in the telling of it.

The story does an excellent job estabilshing a time and place in history. Unfortunately the narrator's affectatious style, croaking and stilted voice characterizations proved to be too much of an obstacle to my enjoyment of it.

Writing as rigid as Stone(henge)

I'm very sorry I wasted money on this. The author portrays these Bronze Age people as dimwitted buffoons. Characterization is wooden. Writing is poor. I couldn't finish it.