Stone Tables

by Orson Scott Card

Fictionally explores the life, emotions, and choices of Moses

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Religion, Lds Fiction, Historical, Lds, Christian Fiction

432 pages, Hardcover

First published February 15, 1998

About the author

Orson 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.

Reviews

[Cmadler · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Davyne DeSye · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[★ℕłℂØℓҾ★ (Nix) · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though some of the pacing, dialogue, and characterization were a little uneven at times, this is an intimate and enjoyable portrayal of Moses and those connected to him, their intertwining journeys deftly depicted.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Sundy DeGooyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

"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.

[Colleen Houck]

Another 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.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[QueenAmidala · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moses! Moses! Moses! Kinda missed the Cecle B. DeMille movie version, but this was a good read and I couldn't put it down.

[Nolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and was thrilled by how Orson Scott Card imagines the life of Moses. I can see why many readers object to it—it's highly fictionalized and draws heavily on restored scripture from *The Pearl of Great Price*, one of the canonized works of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But my lifelong love for that text let me lean right in, recognizing passages and ideas Card weaves into his narrative. I cheered for his talent and courage, especially in crafting Chapter 13, “Covenants,” which feels profoundly inspired.

Card reimagines Moses's life from his perilous birth, when Egyptian decree demanded the death of Hebrew male infants. In this version, a mother's careful planning during labor saves the child and secures him an elite Egyptian education.

I particularly appreciated how Card explores the consequences of Moses's actions. Killing an Egyptian who mercilessly beat a Hebrew doesn't just vanish—it sends shockwaves through Egyptian governance, creating upheaval and political turmoil I hadn't fully considered before.

Card excels at depicting Moses's time in the desert with Jethro, the Midianite priest, and his daughters. Jethro becomes a spiritual mentor, guiding Moses through quiet instruction. Without that season of reflection and preparation under a faithful high priest, Moses would have been far less equipped for his prophetic calling.

The story builds to a compelling moment: Moses herding sheep on Mount Sinai, where a revelatory epiphany launches the final phase of his life.

Card offers an unflinching, graphic portrayal of the ten plagues—the Egyptians' self-inflicted suffering through disobedience. He made me picture frogs crawling into clothes, shoes, and sheets (horrifying for someone with my intense bug phobia), swarms of flies, maggots, lice, and the devastating night when firstborn sons lay dead in their beds. He brings the ancient Exodus text to vivid life without letting the scenes devolve into fanciful exaggeration.

I mourned reading Card's imagining of the golden calf incident—a vocal minority demanding Aaron forge an idol. The retelling gripped me so tightly I almost heard the stone tablets crash to the ground in Moses's rage. I grieved the loss of sacred knowledge on those original tablets, which God didn't fully restore. Ancient Israel received new ones, yes, but I believe they held only a shadow of what might have been.

Some will find the book disturbing or dismiss it as nonsense, especially scenes where Moses and Zipporah discuss the future coming of Jesus and his atoning work. I understand the skepticism it stirs in many readers. For me, though, it harmonized perfectly—no disharmony at all.

I couldn't put it down. My usual post-dinner nap vanished like a mirage in the Midian desert. Card transported me so completely I could almost hear sheep bleating, watch Moses study the stars after deep spiritual talks with Jethro, or feel the weight on a beleaguered Moses as he judged disputes for thousands. It was Jethro who taught him wise governance: delegate to capable people and don't shoulder everything alone.

If you're open to an unconventional, richly imagined take on Moses—one that delves into leading thousands at varying spiritual levels, embracing imperfections, and tracing a profound character arc—this book delivers vivid writing that deepened my appreciation for Moses in ways I never expected.

[Chip Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Rex Cluff · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Amie · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Mzford · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Philip Mecham · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Reid Wayman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth reading again.

[Jen Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am an OSC fan and love his biblical fiction.

[Scott Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first "religious fiction" I've read and I really enjoyed how OSC brought in the emotion of the characters.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Derk · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you're into bible stories being told from a blatantly Mormon revisionist perspective, than this is for you.

[Kristen Oda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Heidi Eastman Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting perspective

[Kathy]

so so

[Matt Fuller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good historical fiction that brings character to the events around Moses.

[Alexander Scholtz · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Stephen Gallup · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.