Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
San Diego : Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1985, c1970.
Description
A vividly authentic historical novel of the construction of a Cistercian monastery in twelfth-century France. 4 pages of line drawings.
User reviews
LibraryThing member Stbalbach
Les Pierres Sauvages (The Stones of the Abbey) is by French architect Fernand Pouillon. He wrote the novel in jail, in 1964, thus making it a modern specimen of the ancient genre of prison literature. Pouillon was known for constructing large cheap housing complexes, and restoring Medieval castles.
While not a page turner, there is no mystery driving it forward, there are settings and descriptions that offer insight into the period, and the process of building a large stone Abbey. The bottleneck to building a stone structure is the laborious nature of cutting and transporting the stone itself, each block being a major piece of work whose production is limited by the number of workers, mules to carry it and distance from quarry. The novel is told in diary format by the master builder (the contractor) who has to deal with management issues - getting supplies, motivating monks to work, resolving disputes, health and food. The nature of the writing and vocabulary demands slow reading, monkish even, one has the impression of stepping back into another era. The book has a classic feel and will be just as interesting in 100 years time, though its audience will likely remain limited to those with an academic interest in the Middle Ages. (Pouillon was jailed on charges related to his work as a building contractor.)
Show More
It was his interest in the later that led to this curious novel about the construction of a 12th century Abbey in Provence (based on a real Abbey and people). Somewhat reminiscent of The Name of the Rose, Umberto Eco is blurbed on the front cover, it's more contemplative and realistic. While not a page turner, there is no mystery driving it forward, there are settings and descriptions that offer insight into the period, and the process of building a large stone Abbey. The bottleneck to building a stone structure is the laborious nature of cutting and transporting the stone itself, each block being a major piece of work whose production is limited by the number of workers, mules to carry it and distance from quarry. The novel is told in diary format by the master builder (the contractor) who has to deal with management issues - getting supplies, motivating monks to work, resolving disputes, health and food. The nature of the writing and vocabulary demands slow reading, monkish even, one has the impression of stepping back into another era. The book has a classic feel and will be just as interesting in 100 years time, though its audience will likely remain limited to those with an academic interest in the Middle Ages. (Pouillon was jailed on charges related to his work as a building contractor.)
Show Less
LibraryThing member ben_a
Good, but for some reason I lost momentum. One to return to...
Awards
Prix des Deux Magots (1965)
Original publication date
1964
Physical description
218 p.; 21 cm
ISBN
0156851008 / 9780156851008