The Stones [Paperback]

Eleanor Gustafson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 5, 2009

With comprehensive detail and flowing prose, Eleanor
Gustafson crafts the retelling of King David s life
from his teenaged anointing to his death as seen through
the eyes of Asaph, a Levite historian.
Fictional in scope, yet with amazing scriptural accuracy,
The Stones provides a revealing, behind-the-scenes glimpse
into biblical history with all the twists, turns, thrills, and
romance of the world s great drama.
You will be there as:
A young teen collects stones to take on a giant.
A prideful rebel takes count of his fighting men.
A fallible leader succumbs to lust, temptation,
and deceit.
A poet and musician grows closer to God through
prayer and worship.
A man after God s heart discovers the unfailing love
and forgiveness of his Creator.
The Stones is an epic adventure of man s innate need to
worship God and rely on Him for strength and how
badly things can go when he fails to do so.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Eleanor K. Gustafson has been publishing both fiction and nonfiction
since 1978. Her short stories and articles have appeared in a number of
national and local magazines. The Stones is her fourth novel. In many
of her stories, Eleanor explores the cosmic struggle between good and
evil in light of God s overarching work of redemption. A graduate of
Wheaton College in Illinois, she has been actively involved in church life
as a minister s wife, teacher, musician, writer, and encourager. She has
enjoyed a variety of experiences, from riding horses to building houses,
all of which have helped bring color and humor to her fiction. She and her
husband live in Massachusetts, where he teaches philosophy. They travel
extensively, spend time with their three children and eight grandchildren,
and enjoy camping at the family forest in Chester, Vermont.

Product Details

• Paperback: 768 pages
• Publisher: Whitaker House (January 5, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1603740791
• ISBN-13: 978-1603740791
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.1 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #802,604 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bringing David to life, December 16, 2008

By 

John A. Nunnikhoven "Bookworm" (Chester, VT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Stones (Paperback)

This is a massive book, not just in size but in scope and sweep. Eleanor Gustafson takes the story of David as recorded through the eyes of Asaph and brings meat and sinew to the life of David. As you read, you see David taking on passion and emotion, you begin to understand the raw brutishness of Joab and the psychosis of Saul. And that is only in the first three chapters.

It has been a long time since I have picked up a book and had difficulty putting it down; it is only the press of other obligations that prevents me from attempting to consume this work in a single sitting. Even for a lifelong compulsive bookworm such as I, the 601 pages (including the addendum) does present a challenge for a non-stop read.

There is a study guide in the works which is intended to assist in using this for a book study group. There is much to be gleaned here through a group discussion of the life of David, the one who calls our Savior,his Lord in Psalm 110:1

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, a book that gets it right, February 11, 2009

By 

Cliff Graham - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Stones (Paperback)

I found this book in a search for novels about the life of King David and placed my order, expecting yet another soft, doe-eyed portrait of the famous Biblical character. I was happily surprised by it.
As a soldier and veteran, I can be quite frustrated when much of Christian literature contains scenes of interaction among fighting men that ring hollow. The Stones is one of the only books I have read that both accurately reflects the intensity of war and correctly portrays the bantering and (sometimes) crude teasing of warriors with one another.
Some readers might be put off by Gustafson's willingness to confront these realities, but that is precisely what they are-realities. Part of what shocked me is how realistic the thoughts, conversations, and motives of the soldiers were, since the author is a woman. This might be viewed as a sexist comment, but I believe it is just as difficult for a woman to capture a man's thoughts as it is difficult for a man to capture a woman's, and Gustafson has succeeded beyond what I have read previously. If you have ever wondered what might have gone on around the campfires of David's army or in the halls of the royal palace, this is as close as you are going to get.
Beyond that, the spiritual depth and devotion to historical accuracy is remarkable in this novel. It paints on a broad canvas, yet never seems to be slow-paced. The descriptions of manners, customs, and the fascinating examination of cherem (the total destruction of enemies frequently recorded in Scripture) are top-notch.
An outstanding novel, and one that I am already recommending to friends. There is even a study guide, which I eagerly look forward to going through in a church Bible study.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Making King David Come Alive, December 11, 2008

By 

Lowell B. Sykes "Lowell Beach Sykes" (Lynchburg, VA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Stones (Paperback)

I am being blessed by reading Eleanor Gustafson's THE STONES! Although I have read the Bible accounts of David all my life, and have preached on them all my adult life (I am a pastor), Eleanor Gustafson makes David's character (and those of the people who surround him) come alive for me in a wonderfully fresh way. Of course, I've known for years that she is an outstanding writer. But this book shows that she also has a vast grasp of Bible history, Holy Land geography, and, in addition, a magnificent, sanctified imagination. I heartily recommend this book.