Customer Reviews

The Mammoth Stone (Signet)

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4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I collect historical fiction books. From Jean Auel to Sue Harrison to Linda Lay Shuler to Mr. and Mrs. Gear and William Sarabande and Joan Wolf. 90 in all to date. The only books I have thrown out have been everything written by Allen. It was an chore to read the Mammoth Stone. There wasen't any historical detail or true settings. It didn't have the feel of an researched book, it read more like science fiction than historical.

Don't listen to the comparison to Clan of the Cave Bear. COTCB is way out of the Mammoth Stone's league. I read this book ages ago and gave it away because I didn't like it at all, it's kind of weird and not very informative if you are seeking to learn about the ancient American peoples way of life.

If you are looking for a book akin to the Earth's Children series then The Mammoth Stone is a complete waste of time.

First you have to realized that this book is no written by our beloved authors such as Linda Lay Shuler, Kathaleen and Michael Gear or Jean Auel. This book doesn't compare to their work. If you compare this book to their work you won't like it. Keep an open mind and read it for what it is. I loved this book and everything my Margaret Allan is good. While they are a little slower than the authors listed above the story line is great. While not a much historical facts are given. This books is just what is is. A great story about a woman who comes into her own rights.

Mammoth Stone, The
By: Margaret Allan


The people of the mammoth have wandered the world for thousands of years, surviving starvation, plague, and predators, fleeing the ever encroaching ice, following the mammoth herds for life and sustenance. Finally they come to a place of prophecy where twin children are born to the people of the Mammoth; Wolf, who would grow to be a mighty warrior, and Maya, whom some call an Evil Spirit because she has the mark of the Great Mother-one eye of blue and one of green. This is the sign of She who is born to wield the Mammoth Stone, and ancient and mystical talisman bearing both a promise and a curse. And thus great event and remarkable people are set in motion as Maya, the once outcast child, learns the Stone's powers and secrets...as she chooses a brave and passionate mate and goes with him into the endless plains....and as she embarks on a great adventure of terrible beauty, leading her people through the timeless wonders and perils of thrilling new world.


Other Books by Margaret Allan:
Keeper of the Stone, The
Last Mammoth, The
Spirits Walking Woman
Sister of the Sky

The spring has less of brightness
Every year;
And the snow a ghastlier
Whiteness
Every year;
Nor do summer flowers quicken,
Nor the autumn fruitage thicken,
As they once did, for they sicken
Every year.
-Albert Pike

All that we see or seem
Is but a dream within a dream
-Edgar Allan Poe

Review:

The only book by Margaret Allan that I have read is The Mammoth Stone. It was an enchanting story of a beautiful woman and her need to fit in. I really did love this story and the Arthur has a lot of potential. The main characters were very well built but a few of them I found lacked that necessity. For example, Skin to me seemed like a decent man with wonderful morals until his daughter Maya came in the picture. To me Skin seemed like a man not ruled on spirits and demons yet he was revolted by his own daughter. Why? I never understood why he of all people would turn down such a wonderful little girl that was born of the woman he loved. I understood that he had a preference of boys to girls but when Bud died he had expressed sadness towards her but no concern was left for his other daughter, Maya, even though she was very much lucky to be alive. The Arthur never took time to get into his head like she did with the main characters and since they were only a small part of the story it was for the most part overlooked. Yet with all things considered she did take the time to get into the mind of the mammoth and the cave lion but was unable to take the time to get some understanding behind some of the secondary characters, which took away from the story's potential. However, it would have made the story that much more "real" to be able to see all aspects of the story.
I did like the way she added a bit of the paranormal into the story. In modern civilizations, we know that a stone is just a stone. The stone may have a legend behind it but we all know that it is still just a stone and it will not release lightning or do something magical. She made the legend come alive, which is one of the best things about writing; letting your imagination come to life. So at the end of the story when the stone came alive and with Maya's help rescued the People it was completely unrealistic but I think that is what it is all about; creating a place where a reader can visit places, times, peoples, dreams and fantasies that they can't in every day life.
I think she also rushed the ending. As a reader I understood completely how Maya was feeling, because Allan did a wonderful job showing me that. But after Maya was rescued by Black Caribou, the Arthur gave a brief overview of the adjustment period but I never really got the full feeling of how it really occurred. That section was only part of the story and was yet another minor flaw that I overlooked since the rest of the story was very well told.
The biggest critique I have of this novel is how Allan felt the need to explain her story. Throughout the story I found several little annoyances of this particular subject. For example, "In epilepsy, signals from certain parts of the brain; in effect, a part of the brain "explodes" (page 192). She was trying to explain Ghost and why he did the things he does. The Arthur in many cases left the story and went into an explanation of what was going on. I feel that as a writer our Arthur needs to create a story that we could picture in our head. To interrupt a story so beautifully written to tell us what is going on behind the scenes is almost like an insult. If she wanted to explain herself she needs to designate a section of the book for her notes instead of manipulating it apart of her story. When it is done as such it ruins the story and a reader is ripped from the world so delicately put together to be insulted by facts that most likely the reader already guessed at to begin with.
All and all I give it a thumbs up and most likely will continue with the next of the saga.

Nothing in this book is believable or even remotely plusable. The author takes way too many liberties with the facts of history.
The book even has trouble if you try to chalk it up as a science fiction book.