Stonehenge
by Bernard Cornwell, Geoffrey Howard
7.38 / 10 14K ratings
- Language
- English
- Published
- 2006
- Publisher
- HarperCollins Publishers
- ISBN
- 9780061213342
Subjects
- Literature & Fiction
- Genre Fiction
- Horror
- Suspense
- Action & Adventure
- Fantasy
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Fiction
- Historical
- History
- Romance
- Crime
- Religious
- Fiction, historical, general
- Modern fiction
- Audio Adult: Books On Tape
- Historical Fiction
- British & Irish
- Fiction, historical
- War
- Great britain, fiction
- Historical - General
- Ancient
- England, fiction
- Prehistoric peoples
- New York Times reviewed
- Thrillers
- Antiquities
Original edition
Stonehenge A Novel of 2000 BCOriginally published in 1999 English HarperCollins Publishers
Other editions (28)
No summary for this edition yet.
What other readers say
Liked
Many readers found this book to be an enthralling and captivating historical epic, praising Bernard Cornwell's masterful ability to bring Bronze Age Britain vividly to life. Reviewers consistently highlight the immersive world-building and authentic feel, which seamlessly transported them to a prehistoric era. The novel is celebrated for offering a fascinating and plausible hypothetical explanation for the construction of Stonehenge, detailing the immense engineering challenges and the ingenuity required to move and shape the colossal stones. Readers appreciated the rich historical detail regarding Bronze Age culture, pagan rituals, and tribal life, noting how the author's extensive research made the imagined events and characters feel incredibly real and devoid of anachronisms. The story itself, often described as powerful and dramatic, resonated with many, with particular praise for the believable and evolving main protagonist, Saban, and the distinct personalities of the supporting characters.
Disliked
Despite its strengths, the book received criticism from some readers regarding its pacing and narrative style. Several reviewers found the story to build slowly, with some passages described as tedious or ponderous, particularly the extensive details dedicated to the transportation and construction of the monument. Another significant point of contention was the explicit and graphic depiction of violence, including gory details of tribal warfare, murder, and other brutal aspects of prehistoric life, which some found excessive, revolting, or unnecessary. A number of readers also struggled to connect with or like the characters, finding them shallow, one-dimensional, or lacking agency, with female characters sometimes specifically mentioned as problematic. Additionally, some long-time fans of the author felt the book didn't quite meet the high expectations set by his other works, noting a perceived lack of humor and a less engaging plot compared to his usual offerings.
In short
Overall, this book presents a mixed but generally positive reading experience, offering a unique glimpse into a sparsely covered period of historical fiction. While some found it a challenging read due to its slow pace and grim subject matter, many others lauded it as a highly engrossing and memorable tale. It is highly recommended for readers who are deeply interested in the origins of Stonehenge, ancient engineering, and immersive historical world-building, especially those who appreciate a detailed, character-driven narrative over fast-paced action. Fans of Bernard Cornwell willing to explore a story with less emphasis on traditional warfare and more on cultural and monumental construction will likely enjoy it. However, those sensitive to graphic violence, who prefer rapid plot progression, or who seek conventionally heroic and universally likeable characters, might find this particular historical epic less to their taste.
No reviews yet. Be the first.
Readers also liked
A Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens, Jules Verne, Anne De Graaf, Christian Birmingham, John Leech, Tony Mitton, Stephen Krensky, Ann Murphy, Aeterna Press, Ballard Classics, Hans Christian Andersen, John Ruskin, David Thompson, Jim Dale, Arthur Rackham, Michael J. Enright, Lesley Sims, Simon Prebble, John le Carré, Alan Marks, Barbara Chatwin, Margaret McAllister, Pauline Francis, Bernadine Stetzel, Common Classics XL Print, Vincent Verret, HR and W School Division Staff, Frank Müller, Patrick Stewart, Peter Foreman, Jose Perez Montero, Hilary Burningham, Debra Doyle, Lee Krutop, Anne de Graf, Marta Fihel, Grzegorz Komerski, Gary Owen, David B. Davies, Kathy Wilburn, Dariusz Jemielniak, Shona McKellar, Arcadian Press, Nóstica Editorial, Leonard Rossiter, Frederick Simpson Coburn, Andrew Devonshire, Gaby (RTL) Goldsack, Andrew McCallum, Bookish, Joe Boddy, J. Valera, Nathan Walkowicz, NDWT Archives (University of Guelph), Robert Lohan, Supernova Star Books, Ed Scates, Bruno Olcese, Diamond Classics, RD. HAYES, Barbara Grandmaison, Harry G. Miller, Zenith Blue Ridge Books, Greg Standford, Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People Theatre Archives (University of Guelph), C. Z. (Charles Zachary) Barnett, Laura Ruttan, John Wallace (Junior.), Russ Germain, Emma Vvict
Heart of Darkness
Joseph Conrad, Conrad, McGraw-Hill Higher Education, Ballard Classics, David A. Hill, Frederick Davidson, Olga Akman, Jenny Lee, Michelle M. White, David Zane Mairowitz, Ross C. Murfin, D. C. R. A. Goonetilleke, Karen Swallow Prior, Pericles Lewis, Stacy Stephens, Siska Nurrohmah, Ian Perkin, Joseph Conard, Fearless Editions, Diamond Classics, Fearless Classics, Dale Classics
Jane Eyre
Charlotte Brontë, Peter Buckroyd, Helen Jerome, Nadia May, Ligaran, Edmund Dulac, Emily Brontë, Clare West, Sharlotta Bronte, Redhouse, Masterpiece Everywhere, Charles Vance, Golden Deer Classics, MyBooks Classics, Icarsus, Michelle M. White, F. H. Townsend, Christina Calvit, Elizabeth Power, Andrea Ott, Sue Ullstein, Mark Schorer, Wendy Hiller, Joanna David, Gill Tavner, Marianna D'Ezio, Wayne Josephson, Anne-Marie Pol, Francesco Torraca, Luisa Reali, Mélodie Richard, METALit, Juan González-Blanco de Luaces, Bront, Sunneko Lee, Frédérique Sauvage, M. Foeken-Visser, Marta Ortega, Diamond Classics, Ugo Dèttore, Ann Arbor Media, F. H. (Frederick Henry) Townsend, Erica D'Antuono, Alison Smith (Literary critic)
Free to read
The Ego and Its Own The Case of The Individual Against Authority
John Carroll
Last Year at Betty and Bob's An Adventure
Sher Doruff
Gone with the Wind
Margaret Mitchell, Pat Conroy, Brian Phillips, Sidney Howard, Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh
Legends 13
Bryan Lindenberger