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111 of 113 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Orson Scott Card's speculations about the life of Moses, July 27, 2003
Orson Scott Card first presented his interpretation of Moses in the 1973 musical drama "Stone Tables" (the title comes from Exodus 24:12). This 1997 novel expands that story and reflects not only the book of Exodus, but the Mormon Book of Moses, and works of both history and speculation. As Card points out in his Preface, the account in Exodus says nothing of the life and achievements of Moses as a prince of Egypt and barely touches on his private life. Indeed, most scripture tends to be long on narrative and short on characterization. Card uses his formidable writing talents to make not only Moses, but his brother Aaron, sister Miriam, wife Zeforah, father-in-law Jethro, and the Pharaoh Tuthmose come alive as characters. "Stone Tables" is speculation. The genesis for this speculation is Card's questions about the convoluted relationship between Moses and Aaron. In thinking over the life of Aaron, who watched his younger brother lead his people out of bondage, witnesses first hand the miracles of the plagues upon Egypt, and made a golden calf for the Israelites while Moses was up on Mount Sinai receiving the 10 Commandments from God, Card believed he saw a pattern of envy. However, "Stone Tables" goes well beyond providing a rationale for Aaron's actions. For non-Mormon readers, such as myself, there are two major differences between the stories of Moses told in "Stone Tables" and that related by the book of Exodus (and the movies "The Ten Commandments" and "Prince of Egypt"). The first is that characters in the novel refer to their foreknowledge of Christ, which Card clearly states is part of the worldview of the Latter-day Saints. I have no problems with the idea that God let Moses and other member of the faithful know that a greater savior was going to redeem the people down the road. If God would let Moses stand in his presence and watch the passing of his glory, then sharing a glimpse of the greater design seems a small leap of faith to take. The second and more interesting difference is that the fact Moses is the adopted son of the daughter of Pharaoh is never hidden. When Hatshepsut takes the baby from the Nile, she knows the child is the son of a Hebrew slave and that the little girl who knows of someone who can nurse the infant is the sister of Moses taking the boy to his mother. The river brought her a son and with the support of Pharaoh that story is taken as gospel by the people of Egypt. Consequently, Moses knows his "real" family from early in life and rejects his Hebrew heritage by conscious choice rather than out of ignorance. Aaron and Miriam assail him at every opportunity to free his people, but Moses will have none of it. Clearly in this novel the second element is the most significant and it provides the context for reexamining how Moses came to know God and why Pharaoh hardened his heart. In the case of the latter the emphasis is on making the power known to not only Pharaoh but the Israelites as well. Card also works out the cold logic of the escalating plagues visited upon the land of Egypt. Ultimately, the most fascinating parts of Card's novel are the dialogues between the characters, which only makes sense. Such dialogues are at a minimum in scripture and they comprise the part of the story that will be seen as "new" by many readers. Many of the characters are capable of great humor, not to mention biting wit and caustic insights, and not only the dialogues but also the internal reflections of the characters are well thought out by Card. I was particularly fond of Jethro and Zeforah, who exhibit such great joy in expressing their faith, and appreciated the flaws that were both the strengths and weaknesses of Aaron and Miriam. The sibling rivalries, both in Egypt and in the land of Midian, are particularly fun as well, although reflecting clearly modern sensibilities. Card's speculations hold together pretty well, although it is his characterization of Moses that makes or breaks the book. The transformation from a questioning creature of doubt into a true servant of God is captivating and well motivated. However, when Card includes the conversation between Moses and God in the presence of the burning bush the scene does not ring true. Card has presented Moses as fully willing to embrace God's plan for him, which makes him trying to get out of his destiny and arguing for a place for his brother seem a step backwards. That is the part of Moses that always confused me: if God makes a personal appearance and tells you he is going to be right by your side, arguing with him seems somewhat inappropriate. In Card's story the Moses who confronts Pharaoh is so supremely confident that it is hard to believe he showed such doubts in God's presence. Consequently, I of course find myself agreeing more with Card's speculations. I would think that you would know before you pick up "Stone Tables" if religious fiction in general or this story of Moses in particular is going to offend your sensibilities. Card has amply demonstrated over the years that he is not only an excellent writer but a person of faith. The latter is the primary requirement for any author of religious fiction; the former is simply a big plus.
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63 of 66 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Warning: NOT Sci Fi!, July 4, 2000
Even if you loved " Ender's Game" or some of Card's other science fiction or fantasy, you might have no interest whatsoever in this book. But if you love the subtle and overt religious themes in Card's writing, I highly recommend this book. (His " Saints" is good too.)
"Stone Tables" is a novelization of the life of Moses, using what we "know" about Moses from the Bible and other sources and creatively filling in the details. (I especially liked Card's explanation of Moses's speech impediment.) I found this a spiritually nourishing book, particularly Jethro's discussions with Moses about prayer and Moses's advice to Aaron on being a servant of God. Thank you, Orson Scott Card!
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39 of 40 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stone Tables Is Very Mormon, But Very Good Nonetheless, September 24, 2000
OSC's book "Stone Tables" is an incredible book in the way that it presents a human face to such characters as Moses, Aaron, and the Pharaoh of the Exodus--characters that over 80% of the people in the world, if they don't believe actually existed, know of. Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike understand the incredible importance of Moses to each of their religions. Card has, as is stated many times with many of his other books, influenced these well-known characters with his incredible talent of realistic characterization. The result is a story of people we can, as normal people in a normal time in normal circumstances, understand and empathize with. Card derives influence from the Old Testament, and popular belief and tradition (Josephus in one instance). However, his largest influence by far is his use of LDS theology, which differs in many ways from most Christian theology when it comes to Moses. Probably most readers not familiar with such theology will be a little confused or puzzled because such events and ideas are not explained, but are simply presented along with the rest of the story that the everybody knows. The reader is forewarned. OSC's introduction describes this book as unashamedly religious and Mormon. It is an adaptation of a play he wrote while on a mission for the LDS Church in Brazil. Thus, I cannot understand why some of the reviews on this page are accusing Card of being 'insulting' or '[farcical]'. His book, in my opinion, clearly states at the beginning that his book will be deeply religious in nature. If you don't like that, don't read it. Also, it needs to be noted that *I am also biased in my own opinion.* I admire the writer of the review who stated in his review that he was atheist, and therefore didn't like the book. I am not atheist, and am also a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, so I am probably extremely biased. I say this to warn people who are not LDS to take my review with a grain of salt. I do not know how deep my bias ends at having an incredible piece of Mormon fiction and where my love of this book as a great story begins. Finally, when it comes to this book as a piece of literature, it is very good. It has all of the 'requirements' for good literature: character development, stress, rising action, universal morals and lessons, and inner climax (like all of Card's works, the most exciting parts aren't necessarily exciting because of something actually happening, but is when a character must make an incredible moral/inner decision). It presents the story of Moses as history with flesh-and-blood characters. It presents a God that is more involved than in other works (like "Saints") because Moses is God's prophet and receives direct revelation. It presents a story full of Mormon theology, but also fully warns the reader of such in the introduction. And it is emotionally powerful if read as the story of a family, separated by powers beyond themselves, trying to reach some common ground, some higher level above themselves. If it turns you off by its blatant religiosity, then simply read it as a character story: I am certain it will surprise you. It may not be the best book you have ever read by Card (it is to me, but I am biased), but I am sure it will be one of your favorites.
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