The stones of the Abbey

by Fernand Pouillon

Paper Book, 1970

Status

Available

Call number

843/.914

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.
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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.)
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LibraryThing member ben_a
Good, but for some reason I lost momentum. One to return to...

Language

Original publication date

1964

Physical description

218 p.; 21 cm

ISBN

0156851008 / 9780156851008
Page: 0.8629 seconds