STONEHENGE A Novel of 2000 BC

Although, as the author admits, we'll probably never know the real story behind the ancient temple's construction, Bernard Cornwell's fictionalized account enables us to visualize a likely scenario. As with any monumental human endeavor, there were probably disputes, moments of great joy, and endless hours of backbreaking labor, and Cornwell's characters capture them all. Geoffrey Howard presents the work in a formal, somber style, even in the story's lighthearted moments. His minimal characterizations do little to distinguish Cornwell's signature strong personalities, instead offering all as single-minded prehistoric men. Taken as a whole, however, Howard's choices in dialogue and narrative capture the harshness of the period and the overwhelming task of building an imposing temple without modern construction techniques. R.P.L. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/ MAR 02]