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The Stone that the Builder Refused Paperback – February 14, 2006

4.4 out of 5 stars 34

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The Stone that the Builder Refused is the final volume of Madison Smartt Bell’s masterful trilogy about the Haitian Revolution–the first successful slave revolution in history–which begins with All Souls' Rising (a finalist for the National Book Award and the PEN/Faulkner Award) and continues with Master of the Crossroads.  Each of these three novels can be read independently of the two others; of the trilogy, The Baltimore Sun has said, “[It] will make an indelible mark on literary history–one worthy of occupying the same shelf as Tolstoy’s War and Peace.”

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Extraordinary. . . . Exhilarating. . . . These books do what novels are meant to do: they propose their own vivid and inexorable history." --The New York Times Book Review

“A towering work. . . . Bell has emerged as one of the most brilliant, artistic and daring historical novelists of our time. . . . He has created that rarest of works, a masterpiece.”–Chicago Tribune

"Glows with unquenchable life. . . . Just as characters in The Stone are possessed by the lwa--spirits who guide souls--so too has Bell opened to the spirits of his characters, imagined and real." --Los Angeles Times

“Spellbinding. . . . Skillfully executed. . . . The author’s portrait of Toussaint is astounding in its intensity, complexity and detail.” —The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

“Must be considered among the most important artistic accomplishments of our . . . century. . . . Could easily cement Bell’s reputation as one of his generation’s greatest authors.” —San Francisco Chronicle

From the Back Cover

Following the widely acclaimed All Souls' Rising and Master of the Crossroads, Madison Smartt Bell gives us the climactic final chapter in the life of Toussaint Louverture, the legendary leader of the only successful slave revolution in history.
In 1791, what would become known as the Haitian Revolution began as a rebellion of African slaves against their white masters in the French colony of Saint Domingue. By 1793 Toussaint had emerged as the leader of the revolt, proving himself to be as adept at politics as he was on the battlefield. By 1801 he had succeeded in stabilizing the war-ravaged territory and invited exiled white planters, whose expertise was needed, to return and reclaim their properties. The foundation of a society based on liberty, genuine equality, and brotherhood among whites, blacks, and mulattos seemed in place. But the proclamation of a new constitution that abolished slavery and appointed Toussaint governor for life incited Napoleon to dispatch troops in order to reestablish control over the island.
The Stone That the Builder Refused spans the final phase of Toussaint's career and paints an astonish-ingly detailed and riveting portrait of a new society breaking forth from the chrysalis of a revolution, of the vision that impelled Toussaint to create a society based on principle and idealism, and of the dreadful compromises he was forced to make in order to
preserve it.
A masterly weave of the factual and the imagined, this grand culmination of Bell's landmark Toussaint Louverture trilogy stands alone as a towering achievement of historical fiction.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Vintage (February 14, 2006)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 768 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1400076188
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1400076185
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.18 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.23 x 1.36 x 7.97 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 34

About the author

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Madison Smartt Bell
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Madison Smartt Bell is a critically acclaimed writer of more than a dozen novels and story collections, as well as numerous essays and reviews for publications such as Harper’s and the New York Times Book Review. His books have been finalists for both the National Book Award and the PEN/Faulkner Award, among other honors.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
34 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2018
This trilogy is a beautifully written history of the Haitian revolution. It makes Haiti and it's people live as you read it, and will make you want to learn more. What you will learn is that much of its history is tragic, and it's people deserve the world's respect and support in an ongoing struggle against poverty and natural disaster. Aside from my personal recommendation that you read this story of a great and troubled country, but that you consider further research into the art and culture of Haiti. I've begun collecting Haitian art and am planning a trip there soon. I believe other visitors when they describe the country and it's people as magical.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2009
This book was a masterful finish to a fantastic trilogy! If the subject were not somewhat obscure I am certain this series of books would be already be an American classic. I am so thankful for Professor Bell's exhaustive research and unparalleled writing skills. He brings the Haitian revolution to life. I have traveled back and forth to Haiti over the past 20 years and I will never look at the country or it's people in the same way! His development of characters and the seamless flow between chapters kept me in avid anticipation of my nightly reads. I am lost at the moment for what to read next!! If you want to understand the fierce national pride of the Haitian people this is a must read! Thank you Professor Bell!!!
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Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2013
As with the first two books, Bell does an excellent job framing the story of the Haitian revolution in a way that is both highly entertaining and historically true. This book is not nearly as bloody as the first book, which I was glad for. And Bell also made sure that our favorite "blancs" made it safely to America without being slaughtered (sorry, did I just give it away?)

My only problem with this book is that it ends so abruptly. Of course, how does one end the story that is still taking place today? But it would have been nice to have a more solid of an ending.

And for the guy who says he could tell the story wasn't going to end well (an earlier review), I wonder how he would have preferred for it to end?
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Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2013
Very interesting personal perspectives of the Haitian revolution. Accidentally stumbled on this book and glad that I did! Highly recommend the series.
Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2016
I love this trilogy!
Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2015
I cannot recommend this series enough. Finishing these books it feels like I'm saying goodbye to people I know. Yes it doesn't have a happy ending because it wasn't a happy time but it stayed true to the time and the characters to the end.
Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2004
The three novels in this series are the best historical novels I have ever read. They deal with a horrifying event, the slave rebellion in Haiti. Bell does not flinch from the horrors the contending groups and individuals inflicted on each other. The historical background is well covered in the plot and appendix. Written by a master novelist. Bell also covers fascinating subjects like the Voodoo mythos that still exists in Haiti today. Reading this novel, one begins to understand the chaos of Haiti today. A country born in this much bloodshed and hatred is destined for more. In terms of gallons of blood spilled, our own revolution was a mere skirmish.

If you are at all interested in Haiti, race, relations, history, or just reading a good story, you should read this and the other two novels in the series, All Souls Rising and The Master Of The Crossroads.
13 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2005
I had read the first 2 books of this trilogy and looked forward to the third with a great deal of anticipation. After a hundred pages, however, I felt a sinking sensation as I realized that this story could not possibly have a happy ending. Bell had done such an excellent job realizing his characters that I felt deeply involved in their lives. After the horrendous atrocities of slavery and the slave revolts and subsequent battles, it seemed that the island was finally at some sort of peace.

But what a price! Then as the French arrived to re-assert their primacy and General Louveture succumbs to hubris the precarious peace falls apart and the bloodshed begins again with blacks against whites.

This last book completes the trilogy and tells a story that few of us know anything about. Haiti is a huge mystery to me and these books helped me understand a little why this country is the way it is. The legacy of slavery and the battles that were required to end it as well as the enduring suspicians between white and black are lessons for all of us even at this time (maybe particularly at this time).
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Top reviews from other countries

M.R. Jones
4.0 out of 5 stars Could help Understand Today's problems in Haiti
Reviewed in Canada on July 20, 2013
Interesting book. Good history of that poor country.
Much interest in reading again now that the earthquake happened.
Good history lesson.