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The Stones of the Moon
He was standing between the two tallest stones. They leaned towards him, not touching him, two tall, hard grey shapes, damp with mist. It was as if they were in communion with each other - something was passing between them and he had broken the circuit. He stepped forward into the circle, and knew he had disturbed a pattern. He didn't feel threatened, only afraid. He didn't believe they wished him harm, only that they were dangerous, unimaginably dangerous...It is July, the time of year governed by Cancer, the Moon's sign. In a remote corner of Yorkshire, David's father excavates a Roman mosaic, while on a nearby hillside leans an ancient stone circle. The Weeping Stones - wreathed in history and legend that fascinates David. But in this community of stone David discovers something more, something unfathomable and mysterious - and profoundly menacing.
- GenresFantasy
121 pages, Paperback
First published July 10, 1975
2 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
Judy Allen
119 books24 followersJudy Allen is an award-winning author whose novel Awaiting Developments was short-listed for the Whitbread Children's Novel Award.
Judy Allen, along with illustrator Tudor Humphries, created Kingfisher's award-winning Backyard Books series and many other successful books, including the Reading Rainbow selections Tiger and Seal.
Judy Allen, along with illustrator Tudor Humphries, created Kingfisher's award-winning Backyard Books series and many other successful books, including the Reading Rainbow selections Tiger and Seal.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 23, 2022
The Stones of the Moon by Judy Allen
This book was first published in 1975.
David is the son of an eminent archaeologist who is excavating a Roman mosaic found during land clearance for the construction of a new motorway in Yorkshire.
David has limited interest in the mosaic, but becomes fascinated by an ancient stone circle on a nearby hillside. But his interest soon turns to trepidation when he has a strange and inexplicable experience on touching one of the two largest stones.
Although his father dismisses the middle-aged Mr. Westwood, who is staying in the same boarding house, as an eccentric dilettante, David is receptive to the man’s theory that the stones had more than a merely ritual function in ancient times. Westwood thinks that they may have been used to call forth water in times of drought, and he believes that this could be the origin of their name, The Weeping Stones. When Westwood is arrested and held by the police, it is up to David to continue the investigation which the older man started and carry it to its logical conclusion.
After centuries of dormancy, something has reactivated the stones, causing the mill river to rise and threaten to break its banks.
It seems that an unprecedented catastrophe will occur unless David can convince the townspeople of the extraordinary power of the stones, discover the reason behind their reactivation, and turn back the tide of events…
The Stones of the Moon was first published in 1975, and although now available in ebook format, really seems to be a forgotten gem. There are almost no comments about it online. I found it surprisingly sophisticated for a children’s book, and the flaws of the individual characters and the dynamics of their interpersonal relationships added to the realism of the story. In a way it reminded me of the books for young people written by Penelope Lively in that it struck a pleasing balance between an atmosphere of down-to-earth modernity and an air of mysticism.
Below are some quotations from the book which provide an idea of its general tone:
Stone circles were always set up near water, even if the water was only a stream. It may be that nowadays the nearby water-course has long since dried up, but it will have been there when the circle creators were working. In the days before water could be piped to wherever it was needed, all building, all human habitation, all places of work, had to be within reach of water.
‘But how do you have time to learn so much?’ ‘I shall have all the time I need. No man dies before he has finished what he came to do.’ David’s father huffed loudly. ‘I don’t think that’s strictly true,’ he said. ‘Oh, but it is,’ said Mr Westwood, laughing. ‘If I die before I’ve finished, it will mean that this was not my work – I took a wrong turning. But I don’t believe that, I believe I’m on the right lines.’
‘I don’t have a material end in view. But it’s not essential to measure every activity in terms of possible financial reward, you know.’
Within the most fantastic legends there is usually, perhaps always, a kernel of truth.
Then what does astrology tell you?’ said Tim, and for once he actually looked as if he wanted an answer. ‘On a personal level, it can tell you about yourself.’ ‘That’s dull. I know about myself.’ ‘Wonderful. I congratulate you. It’s a rare person who can make such a statement.’
I’m only trying to point out that you can overcome almost anything in your nature – if you understand the problem.
To be at peace one must achieve balance and harmony. This is never easy…
If you wish to look at the world through a coloured filter then do so, but don’t argue with a man who sees the world through his own eyes …
There’s no reasoning with people who want to put a mystical interpretation on everything.
An archaeologist is only somebody who digs things up and catalogues them – that doesn’t mean he’s the only person in the world who can make sense of them.’
This book was first published in 1975.
David is the son of an eminent archaeologist who is excavating a Roman mosaic found during land clearance for the construction of a new motorway in Yorkshire.
David has limited interest in the mosaic, but becomes fascinated by an ancient stone circle on a nearby hillside. But his interest soon turns to trepidation when he has a strange and inexplicable experience on touching one of the two largest stones.
Although his father dismisses the middle-aged Mr. Westwood, who is staying in the same boarding house, as an eccentric dilettante, David is receptive to the man’s theory that the stones had more than a merely ritual function in ancient times. Westwood thinks that they may have been used to call forth water in times of drought, and he believes that this could be the origin of their name, The Weeping Stones. When Westwood is arrested and held by the police, it is up to David to continue the investigation which the older man started and carry it to its logical conclusion.
After centuries of dormancy, something has reactivated the stones, causing the mill river to rise and threaten to break its banks.
It seems that an unprecedented catastrophe will occur unless David can convince the townspeople of the extraordinary power of the stones, discover the reason behind their reactivation, and turn back the tide of events…
The Stones of the Moon was first published in 1975, and although now available in ebook format, really seems to be a forgotten gem. There are almost no comments about it online. I found it surprisingly sophisticated for a children’s book, and the flaws of the individual characters and the dynamics of their interpersonal relationships added to the realism of the story. In a way it reminded me of the books for young people written by Penelope Lively in that it struck a pleasing balance between an atmosphere of down-to-earth modernity and an air of mysticism.
Below are some quotations from the book which provide an idea of its general tone:
Stone circles were always set up near water, even if the water was only a stream. It may be that nowadays the nearby water-course has long since dried up, but it will have been there when the circle creators were working. In the days before water could be piped to wherever it was needed, all building, all human habitation, all places of work, had to be within reach of water.
‘But how do you have time to learn so much?’ ‘I shall have all the time I need. No man dies before he has finished what he came to do.’ David’s father huffed loudly. ‘I don’t think that’s strictly true,’ he said. ‘Oh, but it is,’ said Mr Westwood, laughing. ‘If I die before I’ve finished, it will mean that this was not my work – I took a wrong turning. But I don’t believe that, I believe I’m on the right lines.’
‘I don’t have a material end in view. But it’s not essential to measure every activity in terms of possible financial reward, you know.’
Within the most fantastic legends there is usually, perhaps always, a kernel of truth.
Then what does astrology tell you?’ said Tim, and for once he actually looked as if he wanted an answer. ‘On a personal level, it can tell you about yourself.’ ‘That’s dull. I know about myself.’ ‘Wonderful. I congratulate you. It’s a rare person who can make such a statement.’
I’m only trying to point out that you can overcome almost anything in your nature – if you understand the problem.
To be at peace one must achieve balance and harmony. This is never easy…
If you wish to look at the world through a coloured filter then do so, but don’t argue with a man who sees the world through his own eyes …
There’s no reasoning with people who want to put a mystical interpretation on everything.
An archaeologist is only somebody who digs things up and catalogues them – that doesn’t mean he’s the only person in the world who can make sense of them.’
August 8, 2022
3.5 stars.
It felt like all the elements of a good children's book were there - decent writing, interesting starting point with the mystery of the stones, realistic characters and an emotional depth - but I think overall, the plot and in particularly the way it concluded was not satisfying enough for me. There's a large build-up with mystery of the stones, and I was hoping for an atmospheric conclusion, but while the solution is reasonable enough, the conclusion feels very matter-of-fact and quick in comparison to what seemed to be coming.
Side note: I find it interesting that I've come across in quite a few children's books of this area the backdrop to the story involving a motorway being built, which does date them a bit!
It felt like all the elements of a good children's book were there - decent writing, interesting starting point with the mystery of the stones, realistic characters and an emotional depth - but I think overall, the plot and in particularly the way it concluded was not satisfying enough for me. There's a large build-up with mystery of the stones, and I was hoping for an atmospheric conclusion, but while the solution is reasonable enough, the conclusion feels very matter-of-fact and quick in comparison to what seemed to be coming.
Side note: I find it interesting that I've come across in quite a few children's books of this area the backdrop to the story involving a motorway being built, which does date them a bit!
February 8, 2012
The book was just okay for me; it never truly engaged me, but maybe it would have had I read it when I was much younger. The myth in the story would have been interesting enough, but I didn't get particularly excited about the narrative.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews