Overview

Stories of the Stones explores how ancient monuments standing stones, megaliths and earthworks have been reimagined across the centuries in folklore, literature, art and popular culture. From medieval myths to Romantic fascination and from folk-horror cinema to Julian Cope, the powerful stories inspired by these enigmatic sites reflect the beliefs and anxieties of each era. Spanning Britain, Ireland and Brittany, the book includes iconic places such as Stonehenge and Newgrange, as well as lesser-known sites steeped in local lore. While the monuments' original meanings remain mysterious, our interpretations reveal deep emotional and cultural connections to the ancient landscape. Richly illustrated and wide-ranging, this book is ideal for readers interested in prehistoric monuments, storytelling traditions and the enduring power of place.

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9781836391708

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Reviews

This book is a fascinating, extremely well-researched investigation into the various ways in which prehistoric stone monuments have been understood and responded to culturally over the many centuries since they were built. It covers a huge range of ground, from the earliest myths and legends through Romantic poetry to contemporary pop music, revealing just how many wonderful “stories of the stones” there are to tell. A highly rewarding and immensely rich read. * Duncan Garrow, Professor of Archaeology, University of Reading, and co-author of The World of Stonehenge * Many of us have wondered about the prehistoric builders of megalithic monuments, but in Stories of the Stones Paul Robichaud compellingly offers an even richer story of our cultural entanglement with these protean markers in the landscape, which did not cease to be significant with the end of their prehistoric ritual life. In a magical yet historically grounded book, Robichaud reveals a new depth to these living stones whose enduring appeal is interwoven with folklore, story, identity, nationhood and spirituality. * Francis Young, author of Silence of the Gods: The Untold History of Europe’s Last Pagan Peoples * This book made me feel like a witch on a broomstick, swooping over Britain, Ireland and Brittany to alight at the ancient circles, dolmens and barrows and hear their stories. It is an enchanting and completely fascinating tour through the megalithic imagination. This is the first time all the tales of the stones from literature, art, film and folklore have been gathered together – what a treasure trove! * Fiona Robertson, author of Stone Lands: A Journey of Darkness and Light Through Britain’s Ancient Places *

""This book is a fascinating, extremely well-researched investigation into the various ways in which prehistoric stone monuments have been understood and responded to culturally over the many centuries since they were built. It covers a huge range of ground, from the earliest myths and legends through Romantic poetry to contemporary pop music, revealing just how many wonderful 'stories of the stones' there are to tell. A highly rewarding and immensely rich read.""--Duncan Garrow, professor of archaeology, University of Reading, and coauthor of ""The World of Stonehenge"" ""Many of us have wondered about the prehistoric builders of megalithic monuments, but in Stories of the Stonesl Robichaud compellingly offers an even richer story of our cultural entanglement with these protean markers in the landscape, which did not cease to be significant with the end of their prehistoric ritual life. In a magical yet historically grounded book, Robichaud reveals a new depth to these living stones whose enduring appeal is interwoven with folklore, story, identity, nationhood, and spirituality."" --Francis Young, author of ""Silence of the Gods: The Untold History of Europe's Last Pagan Peoples"" ""This book made me feel like a witch on a broomstick, swooping over Britain, Ireland, and Brittany to alight at the ancient circles, dolmens and barrows and hear their stories. It is an enchanting and completely fascinating tour though the megalithic imagination. This is the first time all the tales of the stones from literature, art, film, and folklore have been gathered together--what a treasure trove!"" --Fiona Robertson, author of ""Stone Lands: A Journey of Darkness and Light Through Britain's Ancient Places"" ""This engaging and richly researched book leads us through the multiple ways the prehistoric monuments of Britain, Ireland, and France have inspired countless tales and stories. For centuries people have filled in the gaps left behind by their silent architects with their own stories; this book offers a rewarding and entertaining guide to navigating these cultural interpretations. From folklore to film-sets, via Druids, ley lines, and aliens, Robichaud's book reveals how prehistoric stone monuments have long had the power to enchant and enthrall."" --Katy Soar, senior lecturer in classical archaeology, University of Winchester

This book is a fascinating, extremely well-researched investigation into the various ways in which prehistoric stone monuments have been understood and responded to culturally over the many centuries since they were built. It covers a huge range of ground, from the earliest myths and legends through Romantic poetry to contemporary pop music, revealing just how many wonderful “stories of the stones” there are to tell. A highly rewarding and immensely rich read. * Duncan Garrow, Professor of Archaeology, University of Reading, and co-author of The World of Stonehenge *

Author Information

Paul Robichaud is professor of English at Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, Connecticut.He is the author of David Jones, the Middle Ages, and ModernismandPan: The Great God's Modern Return, the latter also published by Reaktion Books,and his poems have appeared in various magazines, including Agenda and the Hudson Review.

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