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Stone Tables
From the political intrigue of Pharaoh's court to the manifestations of the Lord on Mount Sinai, from the plagues of Egypt to the parting of the Red Sea, the story of Moses is one of the most interesting and colorful in the Old Testament. Now that story is brought vividly to life in a fictional setting. Stone Tables explores how God could take ordinary men like Moses and Aaron, with all their weaknesses, and transform them into prophet and priest. Nationally renowned author Orson Scott Card brings new insights to an age-old story. His creative fictionalization of the events of scripture and history lends a fresh and fascinating perspective. But this is more than just an entertaining tale. 'My effort is to make sure that those who read this story emerge with an understanding of how good people struggle with each other and with their understanding of God's will as they try to make some decent use of their years of life,' writes Card. It's a message as timely today as it was when Moses led Israel to freedom more than two millennia ago.
452 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 15, 1998
25 people are currently reading
1064 people want to read
About the author
Orson Scott Card
889 books20.6k followersOrson Scott Card is an American writer known best for his science fiction works. He is (as of 2023) the only person to have won a Hugo Award and a Nebula Award in consecutive years, winning both awards for his novel Ender's Game (1985) and its sequel Speaker for the Dead (1986). A feature film adaptation of Ender's Game, which Card co-produced, was released in 2013. Card also wrote the Locus Fantasy Award-winning series The Tales of Alvin Maker (1987–2003).
Card's fiction often features characters with exceptional gifts who make difficult choices with high stakes. Card has also written political, religious, and social commentary in his columns and other writing; his opposition to homosexuality has provoked public criticism.
Card, who is a great-great-grandson of Brigham Young, was born in Richland, Washington, and grew up in Utah and California. While he was a student at Brigham Young University (BYU), his plays were performed on stage. He served in Brazil as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and headed a community theater for two summers. Card had 27 short stories published between 1978 and 1979, and he won the John W. Campbell Award for best new writer in 1978. He earned a master's degree in English from the University of Utah in 1981 and wrote novels in science fiction, fantasy, non-fiction, and historical fiction genres starting in 1979. Card continued to write prolifically, and he has published over 50 novels and 45 short stories.
Card teaches English at Southern Virginia University; he has written two books on creative writing and serves as a judge in the Writers of the Future contest. He has taught many successful writers at his "literary boot camps". He remains a practicing member of the LDS Church and Mormon fiction writers Stephenie Meyer, Brandon Sanderson, and Dave Wolverton have cited his works as a major influence.
Card's fiction often features characters with exceptional gifts who make difficult choices with high stakes. Card has also written political, religious, and social commentary in his columns and other writing; his opposition to homosexuality has provoked public criticism.
Card, who is a great-great-grandson of Brigham Young, was born in Richland, Washington, and grew up in Utah and California. While he was a student at Brigham Young University (BYU), his plays were performed on stage. He served in Brazil as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and headed a community theater for two summers. Card had 27 short stories published between 1978 and 1979, and he won the John W. Campbell Award for best new writer in 1978. He earned a master's degree in English from the University of Utah in 1981 and wrote novels in science fiction, fantasy, non-fiction, and historical fiction genres starting in 1979. Card continued to write prolifically, and he has published over 50 novels and 45 short stories.
Card teaches English at Southern Virginia University; he has written two books on creative writing and serves as a judge in the Writers of the Future contest. He has taught many successful writers at his "literary boot camps". He remains a practicing member of the LDS Church and Mormon fiction writers Stephenie Meyer, Brandon Sanderson, and Dave Wolverton have cited his works as a major influence.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
July 2, 2012
Since this is a novel of religious fiction, I suppose it's worth noting right off the bat that I'm an atheist. So, on the one hand, the story of Moses carries no more significance to me than, say, the story of Jason Worthing or of Ender Wiggin (except that I recognize that many people do believe the story of Moses to be true). On the other hand, with no personal horse in the race, it's easy for me to look beyond some of the theological issues (generally stemming from Card's Mormonism -- in the preface he openly acknowledges that "Stone Tables is written unapologetically within the worldview of the Latter-day Saints") that may be off-putting to many followers of the Abrahamic religions.
Setting aside, then, the historical and religious significance of the story, what we're left with here is Orson Scott Card at the top of his game, spinning a brilliant narrative about a man torn between two families and two nations. In fact that's all he claims to have aimed for ("My purpose is to explore character and story...my speculations are clearly labelled as fiction. My readers are wise enough to know they aren't reading history."), and taken on that basis, this novel is a smashing success.
Setting aside, then, the historical and religious significance of the story, what we're left with here is Orson Scott Card at the top of his game, spinning a brilliant narrative about a man torn between two families and two nations. In fact that's all he claims to have aimed for ("My purpose is to explore character and story...my speculations are clearly labelled as fiction. My readers are wise enough to know they aren't reading history."), and taken on that basis, this novel is a smashing success.
August 24, 2019
Brilliant!
This is a fictionalized story of the life of Moses… and it is fabulous. Orson Scott Card brings every character to life and enmeshes you in so many details of setting, relationships, etc., that whether you like religious stories and want to read an incredibly well-wrought version brought to life, or whether you like “fairy tale” retellings, or – frankly – if you just want to read a great bit of fiction, this one will deliver!
The plot is well known… Moses is put in the river by his mother to save his life from the baby-slaughtering Egyptians, and is pulled out of the river by the daughter of Pharaoh and raised in the palace. He later leads the enslaved Israelites out of Egypt, parts the Red Sea, and eventually receives the commandments of God on stone tablets.
The things that make this version so special are the characterization Card brings to the story – creating real people rather than generalized cut-outs – and the details of life at the time, including political maneuvering as well as cultural and religious differences. Card just captures your imagination with this terrific tale…
Highly recommended!
This is a fictionalized story of the life of Moses… and it is fabulous. Orson Scott Card brings every character to life and enmeshes you in so many details of setting, relationships, etc., that whether you like religious stories and want to read an incredibly well-wrought version brought to life, or whether you like “fairy tale” retellings, or – frankly – if you just want to read a great bit of fiction, this one will deliver!
The plot is well known… Moses is put in the river by his mother to save his life from the baby-slaughtering Egyptians, and is pulled out of the river by the daughter of Pharaoh and raised in the palace. He later leads the enslaved Israelites out of Egypt, parts the Red Sea, and eventually receives the commandments of God on stone tablets.
The things that make this version so special are the characterization Card brings to the story – creating real people rather than generalized cut-outs – and the details of life at the time, including political maneuvering as well as cultural and religious differences. Card just captures your imagination with this terrific tale…
Highly recommended!
September 22, 2019
I almost DNF'ed this book, but I'm glad I pushed through. It was Moses's way of talking during the first half of the book. It was...annoying...in that it was...so halting. But I eventually understood the purpose of it, and thank the Lord it finally ceased when Moses learned to pray.
I enjoy reading just about anything written by Orson Scott Card. I identify as a Christian and don't fully understand how that differs from the LDS community, but I didn't find myself at odds with any major beliefs in this book.
I enjoy reading just about anything written by Orson Scott Card. I identify as a Christian and don't fully understand how that differs from the LDS community, but I didn't find myself at odds with any major beliefs in this book.
October 5, 2021
I loved The Prince of Egypt when I was a kid and I've been obsessed with Old Testament novels ever since. This was a decent retelling of the Exodus but the writing was only so-so. It read very childish to me, almost like YA, though I really liked some of the deductions the author made about what pharaoh may have been in power during this time and the links with the Hyksos pharaohs. Interesting theories for sure, medium book.
December 4, 2010
"Stone Tables" is a novel exploring the life of Moses, using what we "know" about Moses from the Bible and other sources and then creatively filling in the details. I love Orson Scott Card and his books, so I expected this to be good. But I was wrong --- it was outstanding! By the end of the book, I felt like I knew Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, and even Pharoah --- or at least Card's "take" on these ancients. He also provided very plausible reasons why little or no archaeological evidence exists for country-regionIsrael in country-regionplaceEgypt, and for the absence of the name of Moses in Egyptian monuments.
Some might be put off or puzzled about the foreknowledge of the Messiah displayed by Moses in the novel. In fact, the Bible itself displays such foreknowledge and even says "Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7) The fact is, the Israelites expected the Messiah, and knew at least something of his mission, and the Jews still do. So why wouldn't Moses know?
My only problem with this book was that it ended before it should have. I wanted more.
Some might be put off or puzzled about the foreknowledge of the Messiah displayed by Moses in the novel. In fact, the Bible itself displays such foreknowledge and even says "Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7) The fact is, the Israelites expected the Messiah, and knew at least something of his mission, and the Jews still do. So why wouldn't Moses know?
My only problem with this book was that it ended before it should have. I wanted more.
Read
August 22, 2016Another example of Card's ability to deftly glean human emotion and find the spark that motivates. I am truly amazed at the research and creativity that went into this book and find it truly as inspirational as the text it's based on.
September 27, 2015
Really excellent. A completely believable elaboration of the biblical story of Moses, with fascinating guesses about the motivations of the various characters. This is a model of faithful and faith-promoting literature.
April 2, 2012
Moses! Moses! Moses! Kinda missed the Cecle B. DeMille movie version, but this was a good read and I couldn't put it down.
December 29, 2016
This is the first "religious fiction" book of Card's I've read, and I must say that it completely impressed me. Card's amazing abilities for characterization and the portrayal of emotion have made his science fiction work some of the most-loved and most popular in the world, and those talents are used here to bring the story of Exodus to new life. Staying true to the Biblical account (and the Book of Mormon account), Card just fills in the details of this well-known story. Sibling rivalry, self-delusion, and difficult decisions make the story feel very intimate and immediate. Casting Moses and Aaron as flawed, confused, and at times helpless people makes the story not only more enjoyable to read, but more believable. I salute Card for his efforts to breath new life into these Biblical tales.
I especially enjoyed the first half of this book. It is fun watching as the far-from-perfect Moses grows up in privilege and luxury, ignoring his conscious and making grand plans for his future, all of which inevitably come tumbling down. Card's portrayal of this part of Moses' life (which very little is known about in history or legend) rings true and helps flesh out and give perspective to the more spectacular parts of his life. His exile and time of learning of God and courting Zeforah are also extremely well done, as Card brings his skills for creating intimately knowable characters to the fore. I was less impressed with the final 1/3 of the book, as God reveals himself to Moses and the miracles commence. Partly because this part of the book is already so familiar, but also because the book becomes a bit rushed feeling, and the drama of character interactions is put aside for the heavy action of Israel's being freed.
In the end, this is more than just an enjoyable novel. It also provides a new perspective about the stories in Exodus, as well as inducing the reader to really think about the people behind these ancient stories. Additionally, it serves as an educational tool for those not familiar with the beliefs of the LDS about the story of Moses, something that I didn't realize differed from the Biblical accounts. I'll have to go back and do some reading of the primary sources now in order to tell exactly which parts of this came from the Bible, which from the Book of Mormon, and which from Card's imagination.
Highly recommended!
I especially enjoyed the first half of this book. It is fun watching as the far-from-perfect Moses grows up in privilege and luxury, ignoring his conscious and making grand plans for his future, all of which inevitably come tumbling down. Card's portrayal of this part of Moses' life (which very little is known about in history or legend) rings true and helps flesh out and give perspective to the more spectacular parts of his life. His exile and time of learning of God and courting Zeforah are also extremely well done, as Card brings his skills for creating intimately knowable characters to the fore. I was less impressed with the final 1/3 of the book, as God reveals himself to Moses and the miracles commence. Partly because this part of the book is already so familiar, but also because the book becomes a bit rushed feeling, and the drama of character interactions is put aside for the heavy action of Israel's being freed.
In the end, this is more than just an enjoyable novel. It also provides a new perspective about the stories in Exodus, as well as inducing the reader to really think about the people behind these ancient stories. Additionally, it serves as an educational tool for those not familiar with the beliefs of the LDS about the story of Moses, something that I didn't realize differed from the Biblical accounts. I'll have to go back and do some reading of the primary sources now in order to tell exactly which parts of this came from the Bible, which from the Book of Mormon, and which from Card's imagination.
Highly recommended!
December 18, 2019
I was very delighted to read this book. It has so much detail in many respects. What I don't know is what actual Israeli culture or Egyptian culture was really like, but what was written held together very well. When I went back to the Bible I realized how much Card put together Moses' world - his everyday life, the intrigues, the consequences of his actions and his inner conflict during the whole process. The characterizations were well done.
While realizing that this book is religious fiction, my only complaint was that Hatshepsut was alive during the 18th dynasty and Moses would have been in the 13th due to new archeological information about the city of Avaris (the city deep under the city of Ramesses). That said, Card said in the preface that he chose the most interesting possibility to set up as the premise. And, he did a marvelous job of bringing to life a much read Biblical story.
Well worth reading.
While realizing that this book is religious fiction, my only complaint was that Hatshepsut was alive during the 18th dynasty and Moses would have been in the 13th due to new archeological information about the city of Avaris (the city deep under the city of Ramesses). That said, Card said in the preface that he chose the most interesting possibility to set up as the premise. And, he did a marvelous job of bringing to life a much read Biblical story.
Well worth reading.
September 12, 2025
A novel, pun intended, take on the life of Moses. Card poses a plausible narrative of what the life of Moses might have been. He relies on scripture to make his story as accurate as possible but the scriptures leave a huge gap in his personal life. That is where Card has filled in the gaps with possible scenarios. It is a good read and like most historical novels, it brings history to life thus allowing the reader to more closely relate to the lives of the famous individuals portrayed in the book. The book focuses on the time frame from birth to the Mt. Sinai events. From their, it rushes through the wandering in the wilderness and ends at Joshua being tasked with crossing the River Jordan. I enjoyed the book. I can recommend it to most everybody.
October 17, 2019
Card tends to wax wordy in his dialogue, and this was no exception. But it was still an enjoyable interpretation of one of the most famous biblical stories. I enjoyed how he fleshed our characters that tend to be one dimensional (Moses- good, pharaoh- bad), and the integration of Hatshepsut, which I find to be a fascinating bit of Egyptian history.
June 3, 2020
I thought that I had read this years ago, and it’s possible that I did read it, but of course it’s familiar because it’s a historical fiction account of Moses.
For some reason, it seemed tough for me to get through. I kept falling asleep. To be fair, I read this while being in horrible pain so it would take something pretty exciting to keep my attention.
For some reason, it seemed tough for me to get through. I kept falling asleep. To be fair, I read this while being in horrible pain so it would take something pretty exciting to keep my attention.
February 12, 2018
It felt a little strange seeing Moses portrayed as an ornery old man at times—at the time I read this, I had only ever heard of him talked about as a great prophet—but it was interesting reading Card's more fleshed-out take on Moses.
March 26, 2021
Well told story based on Moses. I like Card’s books because they give life and character to people in the scriptures. This is a fictional story, but it helps me see the characters as real people going through situations I’ve only imagined!
June 4, 2021
I enjoyed this as an audio book...perhaps more than of I had been a reader. Excellent narration! Orson Scott Card is one of my favorite writers so I may be excused from overating this...but I don't think so.
February 14, 2025
I learned so much about the life of Moses by reading this book. He sacrificed so much to rescue the children of Israel from the Egyptians. I have such a better idea of how courageous this man was after reading this book. I want to have faith like Moses!
January 16, 2018
Worth reading again.
October 4, 2018
I am an OSC fan and love his biblical fiction.
March 25, 2019
This was the first "religious fiction" I've read and I really enjoyed how OSC brought in the emotion of the characters.
April 15, 2020
Although the author took the story of Moses and his life to a fictional level, it was filled with the Spirit and great counsel for learning how to follow God. I enjoyed this book.
April 9, 2021
If you're into bible stories being told from a blatantly Mormon revisionist perspective, than this is for you.
July 23, 2021
3.5 stars
April 6, 2022
Interesting perspective
Read
February 20, 2025so so
October 6, 2025
Really good historical fiction that brings character to the events around Moses.
June 22, 2018
The author delved deeply into the dynamics between the Egyptians and the Israelites. Also his affinity for the psychology of the characters such as Tuthmose (Faraoh), Moses, his brother Aaron, his sister Miriam and his other relatives, how they might have been like, in describing this beautiful tale is impressive and makes it a very interesting read. Very insightful and well written.
March 4, 2015
This is the third of Card's novels based on the Old Testament that I've read (the others being
Sarah
and
Rebekah
), and I've enjoyed at least three other titles as well (of which the best was
Pastwatch
). Ranking them is difficult, but in terms of literature this is probably the second-best overall and the most important of his Bible-based stories.
I began reading with interest because Card indicates in the preface that he'd put serious, sustained thought and research into the project--not presuming to establish new historical facts about the life of Moses but at least to construct a plausible scenario that could be true. I remembered having read about Hapshepsut, "the woman who was king," in an undergraduate survey of ancient history, and liked Card’s explanation of how she might have been the daughter of Pharaoh who took the infant from the river and then raised him as an Egyptian. It's just a guess, but it makes sense; and I like the idea of fitting those two bits of the puzzle together.
As the story progressed, I appreciated the depiction of tension between Moses and his older brother Aaron (sibling rivalry being such a recurrent issue throughout Scripture, with the younger brothers always being favored). All of the characters, in fact, are thoroughly convincing--even the miserable Pharaoh whose hardness of heart brought so much disaster upon his people. Card is a master of conjecture, which is what I admired about his Columbus story too. We have to take it as fiction, but there’s also enough scholarship and insight into human nature to qualify this as worthy supplemental reading for historians or Bible scholars.
I marked several little nuggets in passing. For example, in returning to Pharaoh's hall of judgment after his long years of exile, Moses realizes "in these rooms there could be no vision. The world was small here, and the decisions made within these walls were also small." Later, during the crossing of the Red Sea, there’s a meditation regarding individual contributions and greatness:
Moses had served Hatshepsut before, and in a larger sense had served the kingdom of Egypt, and therefore the people--but he had nothing to give Egypt except what little wisdom he possessed of himself. Now the gifts Moses had to give had real value, for they were not his own gifts, but rather the bounty of a loving God, and so Moses served the people of Israel, because he served God.
The only points at which I felt any impatience occurred during a few of the extended passages of dialog. There are times when Card's characters talk too much. At least, they persist in conversations longer than I would. Finally, near the end Miriam recognizes that talking can make matters worse: "I need to learn how to speak the truth to people in a way that doesn't make them see me as their enemy."
Obviously, all such insights could easily be applied in modern-day life. No doubt, that is why I marked them.
I began reading with interest because Card indicates in the preface that he'd put serious, sustained thought and research into the project--not presuming to establish new historical facts about the life of Moses but at least to construct a plausible scenario that could be true. I remembered having read about Hapshepsut, "the woman who was king," in an undergraduate survey of ancient history, and liked Card’s explanation of how she might have been the daughter of Pharaoh who took the infant from the river and then raised him as an Egyptian. It's just a guess, but it makes sense; and I like the idea of fitting those two bits of the puzzle together.
As the story progressed, I appreciated the depiction of tension between Moses and his older brother Aaron (sibling rivalry being such a recurrent issue throughout Scripture, with the younger brothers always being favored). All of the characters, in fact, are thoroughly convincing--even the miserable Pharaoh whose hardness of heart brought so much disaster upon his people. Card is a master of conjecture, which is what I admired about his Columbus story too. We have to take it as fiction, but there’s also enough scholarship and insight into human nature to qualify this as worthy supplemental reading for historians or Bible scholars.
I marked several little nuggets in passing. For example, in returning to Pharaoh's hall of judgment after his long years of exile, Moses realizes "in these rooms there could be no vision. The world was small here, and the decisions made within these walls were also small." Later, during the crossing of the Red Sea, there’s a meditation regarding individual contributions and greatness:
Moses had served Hatshepsut before, and in a larger sense had served the kingdom of Egypt, and therefore the people--but he had nothing to give Egypt except what little wisdom he possessed of himself. Now the gifts Moses had to give had real value, for they were not his own gifts, but rather the bounty of a loving God, and so Moses served the people of Israel, because he served God.
The only points at which I felt any impatience occurred during a few of the extended passages of dialog. There are times when Card's characters talk too much. At least, they persist in conversations longer than I would. Finally, near the end Miriam recognizes that talking can make matters worse: "I need to learn how to speak the truth to people in a way that doesn't make them see me as their enemy."
Obviously, all such insights could easily be applied in modern-day life. No doubt, that is why I marked them.
September 12, 2012
I think if this had been written by anyone else, I would have given it five stars, so maybe I'm being harsh just because I have such high expectations of Card.
But this really is a very well done book. I think one of Card's specialties (and based on the entire Ender series, I'm pretty sure he knows this, too) is writing INSANELY intelligent characters and letting their power struggles play out. It's like watching a really good chess match, but with both players letting you peer into their thoughts to understand their motives. It's pretty awesome. Some of the power plays you see going on here are between the various political figures-- pharaoh, pharaoh-wannabes, their priests and Moses-- and also the people we already know about in the Bible-- Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. I think Card does a fantastic job of given us plausible explanations for how everything could turn out the way it did. Anyone who's read the story in Genesis has had to wonder why Pharaoh didn't just let the Israelites go after the first four or five plagues. And you would also have to wonder what in the world Aaron was thinking to suddenly decide to make a golden calf for the Israelites to worship. Card's narrative gives all these people's stories so that we can understand them better. Even if, as he says very clearly in the introduction, it is just his opinion, I think his ideas make a lot of sense. Right or wrong, I give him full credit for coming with the behind-the-scenes story that I couldn't have imagined!
My only complaints about this novel are just that Moses' speech problems were a little irritating to read, although I don't know how Card could have done this better (I am very curious as to how this worked out when it was a stage play? was it really annoying to have Moses speak so slowly?). And then the internal dialogue some of the characters had-- especially Moses and Zippora-- sometimes seemed to be a little too... I don't know, focused? Logical? Maybe I just couldn't believe in their thoughts because mine are always so scattered. But, for example, when Moses quickly surmises that Zippora is waiting for him to pray and become a man of God before she will commit herself to him, it seemed unrealistic to me. What person can understand another's thoughts so easily (especially when dealing with a member of the opposite sex!)?
But if those are my biggest complaints, that still makes for a dang good read!
One last thing-- Card says at the beginning that he is writing "unapologetically" from an LDS perspective. That was absolutely fine with me, but I am curious what someone who isn't LDS would make of it all? Some day I'll find someone to ask!
But this really is a very well done book. I think one of Card's specialties (and based on the entire Ender series, I'm pretty sure he knows this, too) is writing INSANELY intelligent characters and letting their power struggles play out. It's like watching a really good chess match, but with both players letting you peer into their thoughts to understand their motives. It's pretty awesome. Some of the power plays you see going on here are between the various political figures-- pharaoh, pharaoh-wannabes, their priests and Moses-- and also the people we already know about in the Bible-- Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. I think Card does a fantastic job of given us plausible explanations for how everything could turn out the way it did. Anyone who's read the story in Genesis has had to wonder why Pharaoh didn't just let the Israelites go after the first four or five plagues. And you would also have to wonder what in the world Aaron was thinking to suddenly decide to make a golden calf for the Israelites to worship. Card's narrative gives all these people's stories so that we can understand them better. Even if, as he says very clearly in the introduction, it is just his opinion, I think his ideas make a lot of sense. Right or wrong, I give him full credit for coming with the behind-the-scenes story that I couldn't have imagined!
My only complaints about this novel are just that Moses' speech problems were a little irritating to read, although I don't know how Card could have done this better (I am very curious as to how this worked out when it was a stage play? was it really annoying to have Moses speak so slowly?). And then the internal dialogue some of the characters had-- especially Moses and Zippora-- sometimes seemed to be a little too... I don't know, focused? Logical? Maybe I just couldn't believe in their thoughts because mine are always so scattered. But, for example, when Moses quickly surmises that Zippora is waiting for him to pray and become a man of God before she will commit herself to him, it seemed unrealistic to me. What person can understand another's thoughts so easily (especially when dealing with a member of the opposite sex!)?
But if those are my biggest complaints, that still makes for a dang good read!
One last thing-- Card says at the beginning that he is writing "unapologetically" from an LDS perspective. That was absolutely fine with me, but I am curious what someone who isn't LDS would make of it all? Some day I'll find someone to ask!
August 1, 2016
Engrossing novel "biblical fiction" about Moses, written by an LDS author who hints to the future coming of Joseph Smith. Really brought Moses to life with his foibles and strengths. I liked how he portrayed various characters' relationship with God- esp. Miriam, Aaron, Moses, and his mother and his wife, and Yitro/Jethro. I learned a lot about Egypt and various Pharaohs too. Was a bit preachy at times.
I really liked this part when Moses was in the presence of God on Mt Sinai getting the 10 commandments (p 395): "And for one moment, Moses' vision was utterly purified He beheld - did not merely see but saw-every particle on Earth he stood on, and every soul that dwelt on it. He saw it all as God saw it, comprehending it completely in the moment, knowing every being, great and small, and how they all fit together into one great whole..."
Then Moses's vision expanded to see other worlds, and the workings and unity of all --- very inspiring!
________
Review from Historical Novel Society
Card once again produces an enjoyable story of biblical fiction, his Stone Tables is the story of Moses and the Exodus, but with a lightly flip outlook and placed in a time period only a few other authors share. And “flip” in no way means irreverent. Card clearly states he is a Mormon, and this story reflects some of his values and beliefs — and he infuses this telling of Moses with a sardonic humor which still gets the his people free of Egyptian bondage but does not weigh down the reader with despairing visions of doom and gloom.
Also unusual is his having Hatshepsut, daughter of Pharaoh Thutmose I and eventual Pharaoh herself, as the noble woman who takes baby Moses as her own child thus making him a Prince of Egypt. Card’s supporting argument in the preface, based on cultural factors, makes it seem quite possible.
Most of the supporting cast are quite different than their usual portrayals, and though some (like Hatshepsut, Thutmose III and Jethro) could have used a bit more depth, grumpy sister Miriam, envious brother Aaron, squabbling Jethro’s daughters and Moses make Stone Tables a delightful way to read Exodus. Card’s skill in the writing of this novel displays his ability to apply his talent to a diversity of subjects and have them enjoyed by all. Card makes no apologies, and has no need, for all Stone Tables’ lightness in reading, the message that God loves all his children is there for the reader.
I really liked this part when Moses was in the presence of God on Mt Sinai getting the 10 commandments (p 395): "And for one moment, Moses' vision was utterly purified He beheld - did not merely see but saw-every particle on Earth he stood on, and every soul that dwelt on it. He saw it all as God saw it, comprehending it completely in the moment, knowing every being, great and small, and how they all fit together into one great whole..."
Then Moses's vision expanded to see other worlds, and the workings and unity of all --- very inspiring!
________
Review from Historical Novel Society
Card once again produces an enjoyable story of biblical fiction, his Stone Tables is the story of Moses and the Exodus, but with a lightly flip outlook and placed in a time period only a few other authors share. And “flip” in no way means irreverent. Card clearly states he is a Mormon, and this story reflects some of his values and beliefs — and he infuses this telling of Moses with a sardonic humor which still gets the his people free of Egyptian bondage but does not weigh down the reader with despairing visions of doom and gloom.
Also unusual is his having Hatshepsut, daughter of Pharaoh Thutmose I and eventual Pharaoh herself, as the noble woman who takes baby Moses as her own child thus making him a Prince of Egypt. Card’s supporting argument in the preface, based on cultural factors, makes it seem quite possible.
Most of the supporting cast are quite different than their usual portrayals, and though some (like Hatshepsut, Thutmose III and Jethro) could have used a bit more depth, grumpy sister Miriam, envious brother Aaron, squabbling Jethro’s daughters and Moses make Stone Tables a delightful way to read Exodus. Card’s skill in the writing of this novel displays his ability to apply his talent to a diversity of subjects and have them enjoyed by all. Card makes no apologies, and has no need, for all Stone Tables’ lightness in reading, the message that God loves all his children is there for the reader.
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