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Undressing Stone
'If you were able, how would you redesign your life?’ Sian Evans is a feisty yet emotionally aloof divorcee with a secret. When her shrink asks her this question she takes it seriously. Giving up her stable home and job in Wales, Sian travels alone to a forgotten corner of rural France to begin a new life in a borrowed cottage. There she meets an enigmatic sculptor. Will their odd encounters encourage Sian to admit a truth she has avoided for years? And what are the consequences if she does?
258 pages, Paperback
Published June 4, 2018
About the author
Hazel Manuel
7 books34 followersBritish CEO turned Paris based writer. I write books that explore living life in a way that doesn't make me want to scream.
Find out more about Hazel and her books here: http://www.hazelmanuel.net
Find out more about Hazel and her books here: http://www.hazelmanuel.net
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 31, 2018
I have read all of Hazel's previous novels and loved them but I enjoyed this one even more than those. Hazel says that she thinks this is her personal favourite and I can see why.
The book drew me in from the start. The main character, Sian, is an intriguing woman (I now think of her as real). I cared about her. I wanted to know what lay behind her decision to leave her life in Wales and move to a borrowed cottage in deep rural France. That something significant has happened to her is clear from the outset but, as the reader, it's almost as if you need to build her trust before she'll share her past with you.
And this is done with subtlety, delicacy and skill. Hazel is clearly a very observant writer, who sees beneath the skin and reflects the emotions and experience of life back to the reader. She builds the world around her characters with richness and texture and her descriptions of the cottage and its surroundings drew me in. I could see and smell the French countryside.
I found the characters engaging but the narrative also carried me along - and I read the book in 24 hours. The prose is accessible and, although descriptive, is not flowery. And, at times, as the pace changed or a corner was turned I was unsettled.
There is a lot between the lines or in the spaces of this book that the reader will fill in for themselves - at least I did. I made assumptions that proved wrong and the story turned in unexpected directions. So, when I finished it, I had to sit quietly for a while and think about why I was unsettled. There was an almost gothic feel to the book at times - or maybe that was because I was reading it whilst that massive thunderstorm was raging overhead at the end of last week.
I have a rule in giving out star ratings- it only gets a 5 star if I am made to rethink something, am moved deeply or have to sit quietly at the end. Or if I decide that I am going to have to reread it. Hazel's book did all these things for me and so I will give it a rare 5 stars. I loved it.
The book drew me in from the start. The main character, Sian, is an intriguing woman (I now think of her as real). I cared about her. I wanted to know what lay behind her decision to leave her life in Wales and move to a borrowed cottage in deep rural France. That something significant has happened to her is clear from the outset but, as the reader, it's almost as if you need to build her trust before she'll share her past with you.
And this is done with subtlety, delicacy and skill. Hazel is clearly a very observant writer, who sees beneath the skin and reflects the emotions and experience of life back to the reader. She builds the world around her characters with richness and texture and her descriptions of the cottage and its surroundings drew me in. I could see and smell the French countryside.
I found the characters engaging but the narrative also carried me along - and I read the book in 24 hours. The prose is accessible and, although descriptive, is not flowery. And, at times, as the pace changed or a corner was turned I was unsettled.
There is a lot between the lines or in the spaces of this book that the reader will fill in for themselves - at least I did. I made assumptions that proved wrong and the story turned in unexpected directions. So, when I finished it, I had to sit quietly for a while and think about why I was unsettled. There was an almost gothic feel to the book at times - or maybe that was because I was reading it whilst that massive thunderstorm was raging overhead at the end of last week.
I have a rule in giving out star ratings- it only gets a 5 star if I am made to rethink something, am moved deeply or have to sit quietly at the end. Or if I decide that I am going to have to reread it. Hazel's book did all these things for me and so I will give it a rare 5 stars. I loved it.
June 1, 2018
Through metaphor, well-paced revelation and crisis, Hazel Manuel explores the social absurdities that ensnare people in unsuitable lives. Whether it is different types of grief, the daily struggles of inhospitable work or mismatched relationships, Undressing Stone uses metaphor and precise prose to excavate the life of Sian, a woman whose traumas and frustrated dreams take her from a call center in Wales to a solitary cottage in Saint Vey. Through flashbacks to Occupational Therapy Sessions and dinner conversations with her ex, as well as her new life in rural France, this book has a confessional style that functions both as a social critique of contemporary alienation and economy as well as a broader look at the human condition. The secondary characters are as well realised as Sian: whether Arwell, Sian’s ex-husband; Nate, her son or Clairjo, a French neighbour. It is a wonderful book.
May 29, 2018
I was lucky enough to read an advanced copy of this book. It takes a fascinating look at the lines between emotion, eccentricity, and insanity. Namely, what do those lines look at when seeing others vs viewing yourself. The title is very apt in that instead of being a "search for self" story Undressing Stone focuses on "revealing oneself." Definitely worth a thorough read.
September 23, 2018
An usual story from an author I have met. The description of the French countryside is the reality, the leading lady may not be all fiction? It's not often that we get to look inside the head of a middle aged woman and this has been written with thought and insight to to a higher plane of her past life. I read the first thirty odd chapters non-stop, then had to think about those she left behind. My only wish was that the ending was longer...in fact much longer - Recommended.
August 20, 2020
As anyone who has seen the cover of "Undressing Stone" will know, the subject matter does not give itself away immediately. However once in, the art (and craft) of this book is impressive. First there is the structure: the first half is entitled "Stone"; the second "Undressing". You might say that was counterintuitive, however it's about theme here. In a nutshell, the book is about Sian Evans, a passionate but quirky middle-aged Welsh woman who finds herself psychologically stuck in life and decides to throw away job (and ex-husband) for a new start in France. She takes over an abandoned cottage belonging to her aunt and uncle in an isolated village of "la France profonde" for one year, and faces the challenges of fitting in with a seemingly unfriendly group of neighbors (who have plenty of quirks of their own!) By far the most intriguing of her neighbors is Clotilde, a reclusive sculptress, and in the relationship with Clotilde the reader finds the heart of the book. Sian's adventure in the French village being (by definition) a solitary one, an unexpected companion in the form of a ghost inhabiting the cottage comes to her aid to show her the way forward. If I were to resume the themes of the book in broad strokes, I would say that Part I is about how, in our own lives, we can become stone; Part II is about deconstructing our social conditioning so that we can return to ourselves and build lives that we can recognize as our own. Personally, I recommend "Undressing Stone" strongly to any reader who is drawn to novels about discovering one's identity, or changing one's life or country! I was uplifted by it and in addition, it resonated with me regarding the many details and scenes of life that one finds in France but nowhere else.
***Reviewed by Nancy M***
***Reviewed by Nancy M***
August 24, 2018
Loved this story - a lovely open sparse narrative style leaves room for your own imagination whilst simultaneously providing good characterisation and story structure. The unusual deployment of two characters revealing in the first person worked for me (i've not come across it before). I think the work encourages a reader to reflect personally on life and lifes choices. A real pleasure to read - and the memory of this story will stay with me for a while.
July 20, 2018
The wonderful cover design of this book informs you of the content; intriguing, sensual and sophisticated.
The story did not disappoint with the author cleverly exposing the life and troubles of the central character, Sian Evans, on her journey of self-discovery. It finishes with the revelation of a final secret which I found surprising but apt.
The writing is clear and expressive so that I can imagine the cottage in France and the characters and relationships.
I did have a slight jolt when the second 'first person' narrative comes in, but after the initial shock I found that this worked and gave another point of view on the story.
The story did not disappoint with the author cleverly exposing the life and troubles of the central character, Sian Evans, on her journey of self-discovery. It finishes with the revelation of a final secret which I found surprising but apt.
The writing is clear and expressive so that I can imagine the cottage in France and the characters and relationships.
I did have a slight jolt when the second 'first person' narrative comes in, but after the initial shock I found that this worked and gave another point of view on the story.
June 25, 2018
As a writer, Hazel begins to come of age with this novel. Developing a recognisable style as an author is very difficult. People who paint, apply colour rather like handwriting. A few pics and you can usually tell who did it. With writing, it's much more difficult. To develop a writing style takes much longer and it needs a lot of rehearsing.
Here Hazel shows signs of refining her craft. This time she developed the narrative more gradually, and there are no sharp stops or changes. It evolves with some ease, and this is clear evidence of the maturity she is now achieving through her writing.
The tale of a divorced Welsh woman who takes up a life in a deserted cottage in rural France is a simple plot, but it cleverly weaves several themes throughout the tale, which are revealed and unfolded slowly. Her divorce and the reason for it, her ill health and her discomfort with her job. Her relationship with her son, and her disposition to any other relationship. All of these threads are skilfully managed as the tale draws to a conclusion.
I have to admit that for me there was rather too much italicised text, when the story teller talks to herself, and I was uncomfortable with the numerous references to 'the ghost'. I felt this could have been written into the tale with more craft, and better if it hadn't been referred to throughout, simply as 'ghost'. If it been given a name and some kind of rationale it would have been stronger. Nor did I much like the regular use of 'effing'. It felt naive, and weakened the feel of the speech.
But I am picking holes. I enjoyed the book. It was easy to read and I felt it marked a distinct advancement of Hazel's style and literary aplomb.
Here Hazel shows signs of refining her craft. This time she developed the narrative more gradually, and there are no sharp stops or changes. It evolves with some ease, and this is clear evidence of the maturity she is now achieving through her writing.
The tale of a divorced Welsh woman who takes up a life in a deserted cottage in rural France is a simple plot, but it cleverly weaves several themes throughout the tale, which are revealed and unfolded slowly. Her divorce and the reason for it, her ill health and her discomfort with her job. Her relationship with her son, and her disposition to any other relationship. All of these threads are skilfully managed as the tale draws to a conclusion.
I have to admit that for me there was rather too much italicised text, when the story teller talks to herself, and I was uncomfortable with the numerous references to 'the ghost'. I felt this could have been written into the tale with more craft, and better if it hadn't been referred to throughout, simply as 'ghost'. If it been given a name and some kind of rationale it would have been stronger. Nor did I much like the regular use of 'effing'. It felt naive, and weakened the feel of the speech.
But I am picking holes. I enjoyed the book. It was easy to read and I felt it marked a distinct advancement of Hazel's style and literary aplomb.
October 22, 2018
This is truly a great book that inspires people to see beyond limited possibilities of the workplace dynamics. It described very well what I often feel and the voice of the main character felt like my voice many times while I was reading this book. It's sad but optimistic at the same time, mysterious but touching on real problems, and with an interesting ending. I recommend reading it to those who seek changes in their life.
May 13, 2019
I looked forward to curling up with Undressing Stone every evening. I so enjoyed the storytelling: the mysteries, the things implied but not revealed until much later, the ambiguities of the lead character’s mental state (is she sane? Insane?) and Manuel’s obvious love of the French countryside and French farmhouses. And for the French people – rural villagers who dress up to the hilt for a cocktail party, who gather around the boulangerie and charcuterie vans because the village is too small for its own shops…She evoked the quiet, the peacefulness of the French countryside. I felt like I was in my beloved hamlet again.
August 10, 2018
I loved reading this book intertwining the different story lines, keeps you turning the pages. I like the style of writing which is flows nicely bring to life the everyday lives of people in rural France. The twist at the end was brilliant!
December 10, 2018
Review of Hazel Manuel’s ‘Undressing Stone’ by Dr Chris Barnes.
An exploration of repression and human relationships. Thoroughly readable and gripping once you reach France. The minute I reached France I felt every part embroiled in it, started living the story as if in Sian’s shoes and indeed I didn’t then put the book down until finished! Hazel Manuel in Sian creates an interesting, intimate and likeable character. A character one can admire and identity with.
Although the book deals with the introversion and sexual repression of a middle-aged woman who has lived through an era when friendships and relationships which we take for granted today would be much more taboo, it has so much more to offer on so many levels. The reader’s eye view of rural France and its typical buildings, countryside and inhabitants are as graphic as could be conjured by any artist. I could almost smell the croissants and coq au vin!
The speed dating encounter, for example, had me longing to know more, tickling my imagination to dive between the lines but at the same time understanding how the detail could be lost in an alcoholic haze indeed empathizing with similar events from student life.
On another level, I was proud of Sian for keeping up friendly communications with her ex-husband not many can boast the same especially in her age group. I was literally on the edge of my seat when reading about the mysterious sculptress Clotilde and her work and of course the naked countryside encounter.
The story has other superb and unexpected twists with which to tweak and tighten the tension. I love the way her psychiatrist 'the good doctor' for all those years has not recognized the true cause of her own repression and has only treated her for introversion despite the surprise revelation he makes to her as the book nears its crescendo.
Climax is reached when Sian reveals the life changing affair of her youth not to the good doctor but to her own son, who naturally of course being part of today’s modern generation accepts it in a ‘no big deal sort of a way’. I feel older readers will sincerely love this and will empathize so deeply with the taboo discussed. For younger readers it will open their eyes to the moral dilemmas some of their parents or grandparents may have gone through and help them understand that perhaps the sixties were not as ‘swinging’ or the seventies as ‘permissive’ as they have read in the history books.
The overall theme and moral of this book, however, is that love, sex and human relationships in general are much more about what two people have in common than that expected to be defined by their birth gender.
An exploration of repression and human relationships. Thoroughly readable and gripping once you reach France. The minute I reached France I felt every part embroiled in it, started living the story as if in Sian’s shoes and indeed I didn’t then put the book down until finished! Hazel Manuel in Sian creates an interesting, intimate and likeable character. A character one can admire and identity with.
Although the book deals with the introversion and sexual repression of a middle-aged woman who has lived through an era when friendships and relationships which we take for granted today would be much more taboo, it has so much more to offer on so many levels. The reader’s eye view of rural France and its typical buildings, countryside and inhabitants are as graphic as could be conjured by any artist. I could almost smell the croissants and coq au vin!
The speed dating encounter, for example, had me longing to know more, tickling my imagination to dive between the lines but at the same time understanding how the detail could be lost in an alcoholic haze indeed empathizing with similar events from student life.
On another level, I was proud of Sian for keeping up friendly communications with her ex-husband not many can boast the same especially in her age group. I was literally on the edge of my seat when reading about the mysterious sculptress Clotilde and her work and of course the naked countryside encounter.
The story has other superb and unexpected twists with which to tweak and tighten the tension. I love the way her psychiatrist 'the good doctor' for all those years has not recognized the true cause of her own repression and has only treated her for introversion despite the surprise revelation he makes to her as the book nears its crescendo.
Climax is reached when Sian reveals the life changing affair of her youth not to the good doctor but to her own son, who naturally of course being part of today’s modern generation accepts it in a ‘no big deal sort of a way’. I feel older readers will sincerely love this and will empathize so deeply with the taboo discussed. For younger readers it will open their eyes to the moral dilemmas some of their parents or grandparents may have gone through and help them understand that perhaps the sixties were not as ‘swinging’ or the seventies as ‘permissive’ as they have read in the history books.
The overall theme and moral of this book, however, is that love, sex and human relationships in general are much more about what two people have in common than that expected to be defined by their birth gender.
March 11, 2019
Undressing stone is a clever and fitting title for which is ultimately a very thought provoking story. Main character Sian is relatable and her story is written with tact. The cast of characters are well rounded and charming. The book does a good job of painting the french setting. The second part of the book held my attention more than the first half but when it picked up I found it very intriguing. I was very pleased with the ending, it was just what I hoped for.
October 12, 2018
This novel explores the inner life of an introvert, beautifully depicting the days when Sian feels ‘soft’ and can’t go out. We follow Sian to France as she take the chance to change her life. Manuel creates a vivid world through well chosen details and taut prose. Highly recommend.
November 21, 2023
not what I expected but it was a nice and calm read
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October 20, 2020Loved it. I'm biased :)
April 22, 2021
This one was quite disappointing, I felt like it was all quite predictable? I did like the descriptions of the little French village and cottage it was good vibes
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews