Status
Available
Collection
Publication
Random House (2010), Edition: Reprint, 608 pages
Description
In this dazzling historical mystery, John Stone, financier and arms dealer, dies falling out of a window at his London home. The quest to uncover the truth behind his death plays out against the backdrop of high-stakes international finance, Europe's first great age of espionage, and the start of the twentieth century's arms race.
Media reviews
“Stone’s Fall,” ... gives the reader the expected more-than-500 pages and also what is not expected at all: a female character who might have stepped out of Balzac, along with a view of the belle époque that is neither anachronistic nor censorious. .... In the last third, Pears finds himself
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somewhat in the situation of the clumsy home improver who, deciding to decorate his front room, finds he has painted himself into a corner. Show Less
Admirers of Iain Pears's "An Instance of the Fingerpost" have waited more than 10 years for another lengthy, serpentine thriller bearing the stamp of his erudition in matters historical, artistic and financial. "Stone's Fall" generously rewards their patience.
This sprawling, unconventional, occasionally dazzling novel ends with an unconvincing and unnecessary denouement which serves only to undermine the foundations of the elaborate edifice he has worked so painstakingly to create.
The assurance and invention with which this novel is written are alike remarkable. Pears manages his complicated structure with a confidence and dexterity possible only to a master of the craft of fiction. ... Better, more profound novels may be published this year, but I shall be surprised if
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there is one that offers more complete enjoyment. Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member SamSattler
Seldom, if ever, have I read a 594-page book that leaves me with so little to say about it. The problem is not that I dislike "Stone's Fall" or that I did not enjoy it because I did very much enjoy the book and I am rating it a very solid 4.0. No, the problem is that this is a very complicated
The story begins in 1953, at a funeral being attended by Matthew Braddock, a retired reporter who only coincidentally became aware that the woman whose funeral he is attending has died. Elizabeth Stone played a large role in Braddock's earlier life but he has had not contact with, or word about, her in decades. Braddock will not, however, just walk away from the funeral to resume his retirement and old age. Rather, after the funeral, he is provided with a packet containing detailed memoirs that will answer all the questions he had failed to answer more than forty years earlier.
London 1909 - Braddock is hired by Elizabeth Stone to find the illegitimate child mentioned in her late husband's will so that his estate can be settled in an orderly and timely manner. Elizabeth Stone, who claims to have been unaware of the existence of such a child before seeing her husband's will, tells Braddock that she is not overly concerned about the child's existence and that she simply wants the child found so that her husband's affairs can be finalized to the benefit of his heirs and creditors.
Braddock, though, being the suspicious reporter that he is, begins to look into Stone's business affairs and soon comes to question the way that John Stone supposedly met his death. Was the fall from a window that killed him an accident as is officially reported by the police? Was he pushed from the window? Did he jump? What does soon become apparent is that neither John Stone nor his widow, Elizabeth, are the people they seem to be.
"Stone's Fall" is told in three separate parts, each part taking place in a different city and in a different generation. Part I, London 1909, is the story of Matthew Braddock's investigation and what he learns about the Stones, both in the past and in the present. It ends at the point at which Braddock believes that he is forever done with the Stones and their confusing history.
Part II, Paris 1890, takes the story back a full generation and explains how Elizabeth came to be the woman she is and how she first encountered her husband. This section develops some of the minor characters from Part I and begins to hint at answers to the questions left open by the first segment of the book. One character, in particular, Henry Cort, takes center stage and the reader is given insight into how the man who appeared to be such a villain in Part I came to be that kind of person and what motivated him to do the things he did for his country.
Part III, Venice 1867, takes another step backward in time and allows John Stone himself to tell the story of his life, the story of a young man who discovers that he has a talent for making money and for rationalizing his behavior and code of ethics to his own satisfaction right into old age. It is in this part that the whole story and all of its rather complicated character relationships finally become clear. That does not happen until very near the last paragraph of the book in a revelation that will have most readers shaking their heads in admiration. Others might just find the ending to be a bit to coincidental to suit them (I was one of those and, thus, my rating of 4.0 rather than a higher one).
Ian Pears has created a book that is both beautifully constructed and beautifully written, a book in which his readers can totally immerse themselves into three very different worlds. It is a book that demands complete attention from its readers if they are to feel fully its intended impact. Its length, in conjunction with its complexity, means that it is not an easy book to read, but it is definitely a book that rewards those who give it the time and attention it deserves.
Rated at: 4.0
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story and it is told in a way that makes it difficult to describe the book without wandering into a minefield filled with "spoilers." So I am going to be very careful in what I say about "Stone's Fall," hoping that my enthusiasm about the book still comes through.The story begins in 1953, at a funeral being attended by Matthew Braddock, a retired reporter who only coincidentally became aware that the woman whose funeral he is attending has died. Elizabeth Stone played a large role in Braddock's earlier life but he has had not contact with, or word about, her in decades. Braddock will not, however, just walk away from the funeral to resume his retirement and old age. Rather, after the funeral, he is provided with a packet containing detailed memoirs that will answer all the questions he had failed to answer more than forty years earlier.
London 1909 - Braddock is hired by Elizabeth Stone to find the illegitimate child mentioned in her late husband's will so that his estate can be settled in an orderly and timely manner. Elizabeth Stone, who claims to have been unaware of the existence of such a child before seeing her husband's will, tells Braddock that she is not overly concerned about the child's existence and that she simply wants the child found so that her husband's affairs can be finalized to the benefit of his heirs and creditors.
Braddock, though, being the suspicious reporter that he is, begins to look into Stone's business affairs and soon comes to question the way that John Stone supposedly met his death. Was the fall from a window that killed him an accident as is officially reported by the police? Was he pushed from the window? Did he jump? What does soon become apparent is that neither John Stone nor his widow, Elizabeth, are the people they seem to be.
"Stone's Fall" is told in three separate parts, each part taking place in a different city and in a different generation. Part I, London 1909, is the story of Matthew Braddock's investigation and what he learns about the Stones, both in the past and in the present. It ends at the point at which Braddock believes that he is forever done with the Stones and their confusing history.
Part II, Paris 1890, takes the story back a full generation and explains how Elizabeth came to be the woman she is and how she first encountered her husband. This section develops some of the minor characters from Part I and begins to hint at answers to the questions left open by the first segment of the book. One character, in particular, Henry Cort, takes center stage and the reader is given insight into how the man who appeared to be such a villain in Part I came to be that kind of person and what motivated him to do the things he did for his country.
Part III, Venice 1867, takes another step backward in time and allows John Stone himself to tell the story of his life, the story of a young man who discovers that he has a talent for making money and for rationalizing his behavior and code of ethics to his own satisfaction right into old age. It is in this part that the whole story and all of its rather complicated character relationships finally become clear. That does not happen until very near the last paragraph of the book in a revelation that will have most readers shaking their heads in admiration. Others might just find the ending to be a bit to coincidental to suit them (I was one of those and, thus, my rating of 4.0 rather than a higher one).
Ian Pears has created a book that is both beautifully constructed and beautifully written, a book in which his readers can totally immerse themselves into three very different worlds. It is a book that demands complete attention from its readers if they are to feel fully its intended impact. Its length, in conjunction with its complexity, means that it is not an easy book to read, but it is definitely a book that rewards those who give it the time and attention it deserves.
Rated at: 4.0
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LibraryThing member lilithcat
Do not be afraid of this book's 800+ pages! Because it is a page-turner.
It begins in a cemetery, at the funeral of one Mme. Robillard. Matthew Braddock, who knew her under another name, in another time, in another place, is approached by a representative of her lawyers' who informs him that the
That story begins in London, in 1909, when Braddock she hires Braddock to investigate the mysterious death of her husband, financier and arms dealer John Stone, Lord Ravenscliff. As he delves into the case, he finds complex layers of intrigue and, not incidentally, falls in love with the widow Ravenscliff. Naturally enough, neither she nor Ravenscliff, nor any of their colleagues, is what they at first appeared to be. So dramatic and compelling and complete a story is this narrative that, at the end, I found that I had forgotten that parcel and was startled to find that I was only one-third through the book.
The second part moves back in time, beginning in Paris in 1890, and is the story of one Henry Cort, who had become known to Braddock during his investigations. Another mysterious figure, to say Cort was an intelligence operative for the British government is to understate the case. His parcel contains his narrative of his own life, and how he came to his position, and how he knew Lady Ravenscliff, before she was a lady at all.
It also contains certain documents of John Stone's, documents that had gone missing at his death. These form the third part of Pears' novel, and go back even further in time, to Venice, 1867, where Stone's enterprise begins. And it is here that we learn the real history of Elizabeth, and the reason and manner of Stone's death. It will, I think, be a surprise.
Those familiar with Pears' An Instance of the Fingerpost will, however, not be surprised at his ability to take multiple strands of narrative and weave them into a complicated, yet understandable, whole. Like the best Victorian triple-deckers, Stone's Fall is full of surprises, twists and turns, but it hangs together logically. Even more than this, Pears creates characters who engage our sympathy, even if their actions do not. Like real people, their psychology is not simple, and their motives are mixed. Some do good for bad reasons, and some act badly for good reasons. Some act for no reason, but emotionally. Just like you and me.
It begins in a cemetery, at the funeral of one Mme. Robillard. Matthew Braddock, who knew her under another name, in another time, in another place, is approached by a representative of her lawyers' who informs him that the
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firm is holding a parcel intended to be given him only upon Mme. Robillard's death. But it will be another 300 or so pages before we learn the contents of that parcel. First, Braddock must tell us the story of how he met Mme. Robillard, or Elizabeth, Lady Ravenscliff, as she then was.That story begins in London, in 1909, when Braddock she hires Braddock to investigate the mysterious death of her husband, financier and arms dealer John Stone, Lord Ravenscliff. As he delves into the case, he finds complex layers of intrigue and, not incidentally, falls in love with the widow Ravenscliff. Naturally enough, neither she nor Ravenscliff, nor any of their colleagues, is what they at first appeared to be. So dramatic and compelling and complete a story is this narrative that, at the end, I found that I had forgotten that parcel and was startled to find that I was only one-third through the book.
The second part moves back in time, beginning in Paris in 1890, and is the story of one Henry Cort, who had become known to Braddock during his investigations. Another mysterious figure, to say Cort was an intelligence operative for the British government is to understate the case. His parcel contains his narrative of his own life, and how he came to his position, and how he knew Lady Ravenscliff, before she was a lady at all.
It also contains certain documents of John Stone's, documents that had gone missing at his death. These form the third part of Pears' novel, and go back even further in time, to Venice, 1867, where Stone's enterprise begins. And it is here that we learn the real history of Elizabeth, and the reason and manner of Stone's death. It will, I think, be a surprise.
Those familiar with Pears' An Instance of the Fingerpost will, however, not be surprised at his ability to take multiple strands of narrative and weave them into a complicated, yet understandable, whole. Like the best Victorian triple-deckers, Stone's Fall is full of surprises, twists and turns, but it hangs together logically. Even more than this, Pears creates characters who engage our sympathy, even if their actions do not. Like real people, their psychology is not simple, and their motives are mixed. Some do good for bad reasons, and some act badly for good reasons. Some act for no reason, but emotionally. Just like you and me.
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LibraryThing member JGoto
Iain Pears’ Stone’s Fall is a Whodunit with a distinctly British flavor. Politics, finance, industry, weapons, espionage, and a mysterious woman are all involved. Pears’ organization of the book is noteworthy. It has three sections, each covering a different time period: 1909, 1890 and 1867.
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Each section delves further into the past, shedding light on the events of the preceding sections. If Pears had not used this device, I believe the story would have been tedious. As it is written, the reader is forced to constantly re-evaluate his understanding of the characters and their actions with the revelations of each new section. Although the story is sometimes wordy and slow moving, there are also moments when the author suddenly throws in twists that come as a complete surprise. In short, the conclusion was shocking, and the tale satisfying, but it didn’t need all of the minute details concerning finance and could have been told in fewer than the 800 pages Pears took to tell it. Show Less
LibraryThing member ehines
A disappointing novel, and not at all the "return to form" touted by the publisher. Stone's Fall is a sloppy, half-hearted and poorly planned novel with, really, little point. As adventure it is far too long and far too slow; as an intellectual mystery in the tradition of Name of the Rose, it has
The first three hundred pages of Stone's Fall consists of slowly developing setup with an unappealing character who has no role (aside from afterthought) in the last 500 pages of the novel. Those last 500 pages have somewhat more in the way of winning characters and plot interest, but there really doesn't seem to be much point to it all. The seeming promise that we'll gain some insight into the "art" behind capital is never delivered on and we're left with a tale of superhuman manipulators, which is frankly far less interesting than a tale of plain old human manipulators.
Reading Stone's Fall, two Neils were strongly called to mind, neither of whom spells it that way. A very long novel that promises to show us something about the workings of international capital can't help but call Neal Stephenson to mind, who explored what he feels are the roots of the modern world system in his Baroque Cycle a few years back.
The comparison in some ways is flattering to Pears--Pears is a far better literary craftsman than Stephenson--he can create believable characters and write good dialog and move a story along without being too obvious with his stagecraft, all of which Stephenson has great problems with in his Baroque Cycle. But one thing that Stephenson has that Pears' novel sorely lacks is a sense of brio and intellectual insight.
The other Neil this novel brought to mind is Niall Ferguson, who has been much concerned in his historical writing with this period and with the same developments which set the stage for this novel--the formation of international capital , imperialist power struggle, and WWI, which is only on the horizon of Stone's Fall, but importantly so.
But with all these great elements at play, about which Ferguson is just full of interesting interpretations, Pears manages nothing much, except perhaps to say that capitalism is about buying cheap and selling dear, and that, ultimately, someone has to bear the burden of being on the wrong side of those deals. And even this delivered weakly.
Too bad really.
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little to say of an intellectually stimulating nature.The first three hundred pages of Stone's Fall consists of slowly developing setup with an unappealing character who has no role (aside from afterthought) in the last 500 pages of the novel. Those last 500 pages have somewhat more in the way of winning characters and plot interest, but there really doesn't seem to be much point to it all. The seeming promise that we'll gain some insight into the "art" behind capital is never delivered on and we're left with a tale of superhuman manipulators, which is frankly far less interesting than a tale of plain old human manipulators.
Reading Stone's Fall, two Neils were strongly called to mind, neither of whom spells it that way. A very long novel that promises to show us something about the workings of international capital can't help but call Neal Stephenson to mind, who explored what he feels are the roots of the modern world system in his Baroque Cycle a few years back.
The comparison in some ways is flattering to Pears--Pears is a far better literary craftsman than Stephenson--he can create believable characters and write good dialog and move a story along without being too obvious with his stagecraft, all of which Stephenson has great problems with in his Baroque Cycle. But one thing that Stephenson has that Pears' novel sorely lacks is a sense of brio and intellectual insight.
The other Neil this novel brought to mind is Niall Ferguson, who has been much concerned in his historical writing with this period and with the same developments which set the stage for this novel--the formation of international capital , imperialist power struggle, and WWI, which is only on the horizon of Stone's Fall, but importantly so.
But with all these great elements at play, about which Ferguson is just full of interesting interpretations, Pears manages nothing much, except perhaps to say that capitalism is about buying cheap and selling dear, and that, ultimately, someone has to bear the burden of being on the wrong side of those deals. And even this delivered weakly.
Too bad really.
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LibraryThing member Eyejaybee
I expected great things from this novel and I was not at all disappointed. This book offered a marvellous portrayal of the development of Victorian industry and the evolution of espionage techniques, with an insight into international banking mechanisms. Yet despite all this potential worthiness
Though rather different in style to "The Dream of Scipio" (Pears's vastly under-rated masterpiece) this did match its predecessor's feel for history, with three different narratives each stamping their individual authority on the reader's attention. Though a lengthy tome, weighing in at about six hundred small font pages, there is none of the feeling of long-windedness that occasionally burdened "An Instance of the Fingerpost".
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the novel also manages to race along at a cracking pace.Though rather different in style to "The Dream of Scipio" (Pears's vastly under-rated masterpiece) this did match its predecessor's feel for history, with three different narratives each stamping their individual authority on the reader's attention. Though a lengthy tome, weighing in at about six hundred small font pages, there is none of the feeling of long-windedness that occasionally burdened "An Instance of the Fingerpost".
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LibraryThing member gendeg
Hot damn. Stone's Fall is another wonderfully baroque, things-are-not-what-they-seem, historical mystery from master storyteller Iain Pears. Be warned: It's a tad slow until the second section (200 pages in or so), and then Pears hits his stride. Don't give up until you get to the second narrator,
This isn't quite the same jaw-dropping brilliance of An Instance of the Fingerpost but it has the same elaborate masonry and bones of that complex book. Pears is a seriously underrated author. This book is worth reading alone for how he turns financial chicanery and intrigue in the banking world into something so meaty and exciting. Well-researched. Pears isn't a master prose stylist or anything and his sentences won't stop you mid-read to make you marvel at their lovely figures, but none of that matters because the story—the story is king!—just envelops you.
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Henry Cort. This isn't quite the same jaw-dropping brilliance of An Instance of the Fingerpost but it has the same elaborate masonry and bones of that complex book. Pears is a seriously underrated author. This book is worth reading alone for how he turns financial chicanery and intrigue in the banking world into something so meaty and exciting. Well-researched. Pears isn't a master prose stylist or anything and his sentences won't stop you mid-read to make you marvel at their lovely figures, but none of that matters because the story—the story is king!—just envelops you.
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LibraryThing member kaulsu
This is not the review I wanted to write. [Stone's Fall] was given to me from my 2010 SantaThing, and it fit my request to a T. But the book itself was tedious to read. The research that went into it, I am sure, was tremendous. The book was written in 3 parts, which I was not aware of until "it
The mystery of it all did elude me until near the end, although I must say I did guess it partially early in the third part of the book. So that was nice--more than nice!
All in all, a book I am glad I read, though had it not been a gift I am not sure I would have stuck with it. Pears simply needs a more ruthless editor. Perhaps the story could not have been told in 300 pages, but 600 was simply beyond words.
Having said all of that, I think I will give Pears one more try and read [An instance of the Fingerpost].
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happened." That was a nice surprise. While the beginning caught me completely and I anticipated unalloyed enjoyment, but the book quickly became bogged down by the attempt to explain financial matters by a character who purportedly did not understand them. Somehow, this device simply did not work. The mystery of it all did elude me until near the end, although I must say I did guess it partially early in the third part of the book. So that was nice--more than nice!
All in all, a book I am glad I read, though had it not been a gift I am not sure I would have stuck with it. Pears simply needs a more ruthless editor. Perhaps the story could not have been told in 300 pages, but 600 was simply beyond words.
Having said all of that, I think I will give Pears one more try and read [An instance of the Fingerpost].
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LibraryThing member mniday
John Stone has built a hugely successful ship building company. His customers include several governments throughout Europe. He is married to the exquisite Elizabeth, a socialite in demand for every social event. The world is shocked when Stone plummets to his death from a window at his
Stone's will leaves money to an unknown child. Elizabeth hires Matthew Braddock, a newspaper man, to find information about this child. Elizabeth has decided to honor her husband's wishes and find the child if possible. In searching for the child, Braddock finds that there is much more to Elizabeth than she allows people to see.
Iain Pears has crafted a wonderfully complex and captivating novel. The story is divided into three sections, each moving back a ways in time and told from the view of a different character. Each of the three sections are left somewhat unresolved, but that adds to the mystery of Stone's death.
The characters are intricate and deep. The story takes you on a journey fraught with political espionage and financial intrigue. There is a fantastic mix of action, historical settings, and love story. Just when you are sure that you will not have the answers you have been searching for, Pears ties all of the loose ends into a surprising finality.
This is a thought provoking work of historical fiction. Do not let the size of 800 pages scare you away. The settings and characters will grip your attention from the beginning and not let go. This could be my favorite book of the year.
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mansion.Stone's will leaves money to an unknown child. Elizabeth hires Matthew Braddock, a newspaper man, to find information about this child. Elizabeth has decided to honor her husband's wishes and find the child if possible. In searching for the child, Braddock finds that there is much more to Elizabeth than she allows people to see.
Iain Pears has crafted a wonderfully complex and captivating novel. The story is divided into three sections, each moving back a ways in time and told from the view of a different character. Each of the three sections are left somewhat unresolved, but that adds to the mystery of Stone's death.
The characters are intricate and deep. The story takes you on a journey fraught with political espionage and financial intrigue. There is a fantastic mix of action, historical settings, and love story. Just when you are sure that you will not have the answers you have been searching for, Pears ties all of the loose ends into a surprising finality.
This is a thought provoking work of historical fiction. Do not let the size of 800 pages scare you away. The settings and characters will grip your attention from the beginning and not let go. This could be my favorite book of the year.
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LibraryThing member Sararush
Iain Pears’ novel Stone’s Fall is incredibly complex. It is told from the perspective of three narrators, during three time periods, and in three separate settings. It also travels backwards through time. Pears’ pieced together a historical mystery that simply broaches espionage,
The mysteries of the story are artfully unfolded in an intricate plotline. The story opens in London in 1953 where a retired reporter, Matthew Braddock recalls London in 1909 during the time he was hired to investigate the whereabouts of an heir to John Stone, a major player in international finance and military arms production. The more he probes into the life of John Stone the more questions he has. The next segment of the book opens in Paris 1890, and told by the up and coming British spy Henry Cort. Through Henry we get more insight into the life of John Stone, as we learn of the rise of his wife and the power he commanded in global finance. Finally we are treated to the perspective of Mr. Stone in Venice 1867, as we discover the origins of his business and finally all the loose ends are tied together to the delight of the reader.
The characters are slowly rendered, layer by layer, choice by choice. They come and go in each time period revealing more about themselves and the relationships they share with each other. Pears’ constantly reinvents his subjects, so that their motivations only become clear after all sides of the story are told. By the end, we are left with wholly flawed but intensely vibrant people.
Stone’s Fall is easily one of my favorite books of the year. Pears’ gives us a novel that thrills a patient reader—it pays off better than expected. Be resigned to devote your entire weekend to devouring this book. However if you enjoy a big thick novel, I couldn’t recommend a better choice.
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international finance, and military arms production. And this novel also has the heft of a decent sized phone book. Such an ambitious undertaking in the hands of a lesser author could have easily been confusing or tedious, but Stone’s Fall is a masterwork of literary achievement.The mysteries of the story are artfully unfolded in an intricate plotline. The story opens in London in 1953 where a retired reporter, Matthew Braddock recalls London in 1909 during the time he was hired to investigate the whereabouts of an heir to John Stone, a major player in international finance and military arms production. The more he probes into the life of John Stone the more questions he has. The next segment of the book opens in Paris 1890, and told by the up and coming British spy Henry Cort. Through Henry we get more insight into the life of John Stone, as we learn of the rise of his wife and the power he commanded in global finance. Finally we are treated to the perspective of Mr. Stone in Venice 1867, as we discover the origins of his business and finally all the loose ends are tied together to the delight of the reader.
The characters are slowly rendered, layer by layer, choice by choice. They come and go in each time period revealing more about themselves and the relationships they share with each other. Pears’ constantly reinvents his subjects, so that their motivations only become clear after all sides of the story are told. By the end, we are left with wholly flawed but intensely vibrant people.
Stone’s Fall is easily one of my favorite books of the year. Pears’ gives us a novel that thrills a patient reader—it pays off better than expected. Be resigned to devote your entire weekend to devouring this book. However if you enjoy a big thick novel, I couldn’t recommend a better choice.
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LibraryThing member YossarianXeno
A wealthy businessman, a manufacturer of torpedoes and battleships, dies after falling to his death from a window in Edwardian London... was he murdered? Who was the previously unrecognised child a large chunk of his fortune has been left to? If that sounds like the beginning of an average
I might have scored it even higher had it not been for two things: at times the characters' fortunes and personalities felt a little unbelievable, and the series of coincidences revealed in the third segment of the novel perhaps a little too contrived. Nevertheless, this is an excellent book, written with panache, and insight.
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thriller, think again; this is a very well written and cleverly constructed with series of themes enticingly woven into an absorbing read. Don't be mislead by my opening sentences; this is not an investigative murder mystery. The story is told backwards; the truth is revealed as the book goes back in time, the story revealed by three characters record events separated by several decades. Along the way the worlds of business, espionage, politics and even 19th century Venice collide.I might have scored it even higher had it not been for two things: at times the characters' fortunes and personalities felt a little unbelievable, and the series of coincidences revealed in the third segment of the novel perhaps a little too contrived. Nevertheless, this is an excellent book, written with panache, and insight.
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LibraryThing member khiemstra631
Iain Pears has always struck me as an amazing author. The last two-thirds of this book only served to confirm that assessment. The book is divided into three sections which go backwards in time. The first started in 1909 while the last one was in the late 1860's. The action takes place in London
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and Venice. I found the first section very slow going and thought perhaps Pears had lost his touch. The second section had me gasping in amazement at some of the things which were revealed. I was beyond gasping at the end of the book; label me completely speechless. While I would not call it a masterpiece, the book certainly is a compelling story if one only perseveres. Show Less
LibraryThing member perrywillis60
Having read and loved "An Instance of the Fingerpost" I was prepared to be completely decimated by "Stone's Fall"... and it was close. Incredibly real characters behaving fairly realistically under wonderfully constructed circumstances. "A delightful onion, exquisitely peeled"... they really should
I won't dawdle on the details of the plot and structure. Enough pixels have been spilt on that perspective here already. I would, however, like to comment on the third part. While I understand Mr. Pears was working to create different writing styles in his three parts, the final part left me a bit wanting. Having ravenously devoured the first two parts, I was ready to revel in the final section. Maybe that was the problem; the first two parts being so glorious in their design and execution, the shift in style (yes, I know, change is good) still had me wanting more of what I'd been reading (this confirmed by my wife once she had finished). I will still recommend this book to anyone who likes to read, but I will recommend they read "...Fingerpost" first.
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let me write jacket blurbs.I won't dawdle on the details of the plot and structure. Enough pixels have been spilt on that perspective here already. I would, however, like to comment on the third part. While I understand Mr. Pears was working to create different writing styles in his three parts, the final part left me a bit wanting. Having ravenously devoured the first two parts, I was ready to revel in the final section. Maybe that was the problem; the first two parts being so glorious in their design and execution, the shift in style (yes, I know, change is good) still had me wanting more of what I'd been reading (this confirmed by my wife once she had finished). I will still recommend this book to anyone who likes to read, but I will recommend they read "...Fingerpost" first.
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LibraryThing member Atchoum
I had loved the multiple view points of "An Instance of the FingerPost", yet I find its repetition a bit dissapointing. The first account is very slow. The second part is brillant. The third part has little to uncover.
LibraryThing member suedutton
I think I liked this even better than Instance of the Fingerpost! Like that book, this one is told in 3 sections by different narrators. Complex plot. The only stumble was the last few pages where the mystery is spelled out explicitly instead of letting the reader enjoy a little ambiguity. Also -
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it was great to read this book on the Kindle, as I frequently went back to reread prior passages about specific chararacters. Show Less
LibraryThing member mainrun
My memory is horrible. I keep notes of characters, events when I read. I save the notes, and used them to create my library.
Stone's Fall is the first book I read while a member of LibraryThing. Here are my thoughts:
The book is well written and very readable. Usually that is enough for me to give
Also, the hook/trick/gotcha thing of the book was gimmicky. The story has three parts. The *exciting thing* was character A in one part was actually character B in another. The concept seemed easy to create, but hard to detect. I don't think I will read other books from this author. Too many suggestions coming at me from LibraryThing.com.
Stone's Fall is the first book I read while a member of LibraryThing. Here are my thoughts:
The book is well written and very readable. Usually that is enough for me to give
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it five stars. However, the ending was sort of ****** (left word out because I think it would be too much of a spoiler). It wasn't good for me, and cost the book a star or two.Also, the hook/trick/gotcha thing of the book was gimmicky. The story has three parts. The *exciting thing* was character A in one part was actually character B in another. The concept seemed easy to create, but hard to detect. I don't think I will read other books from this author. Too many suggestions coming at me from LibraryThing.com.
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LibraryThing member austcrimefiction
STONE'S FALL by Iain Pears is one of those books that just looks intimidating. Even in paperback it's a great big doorstopper of a thing - 597 pages long. One of those books that you wonder if you can risk reading in bed, what with a tendency to doze off and the potential for blackened eyes and
Starting out with a funeral in Paris in 1953, the story quickly sets itself in 1909 London, in the immediate aftermath of Stone's death. Matthew Braddock, young, enthusiastic, journalist finds himself in the unlikely position of being hired by Elizabeth, Lady Ravenscliff ostensibly to write the biography of her husband. In truth, he is tasked to discover the truth of his death. The middle section of the book, set in 1890's Paris switches the viewpoint to that of Henry Cort - long time friend of Elizabeth and Stone, ex-banker, ex-journalist, government informer, Cort is a shadowy figure in the earlier London based investigation, and the middle section sets out to explain why. Everything leads to the final section of the book - Venice, 1867 and Stone's own story, told by him, right up to the time at which he dies.
As each of these viewpoints is effectively a book in their own right, there is a lot of time and space for Pears to flesh out their individual stories and to reveal the elements that go to make up the truth behind Stone's death. Matthew Braddock's investigations, which he undertakes from a starting point of very little information takes him back into Stone's own past as well as that of his wife. He works diligently, but frequently somewhat ineptly to discover the truth behind Stone's life. Along the way facts are revealed, relationships exposed and slowly the details of a complicated personal and business life are revealed. In the second part of the book, Henry Cort takes over the story, opening up in particular, facets of Elizabeth's life that have had an impact on Stone's death. Each of these parts leads inevitably to Stone's opportunity to tell his own story wherein a lot of time is available to discuss motivations and tie up some loose ends. Stone's personal life has definitely had it's own complications, his business life likewise. Unfortunately, of the entire book, the final section is undoubtedly the weakest with some lapses into inexplicable and seemingly unnecessary supernatural elements, and a rushed and somewhat clumsy resolution.
STONE'S FALL is an interesting book because of its structure. Tipping the narrative timeline on its head, starting with a death and then working backwards in such incredible detail isn't a standard approach, and it made for something very different. Within this structure there were parts of the book which were just dazzling and absolutely involving, and parts that were less successful. Unfortunately the less successful was undoubtedly the finale which just got unbelievably clunky, and to be frank, so transparent it was really really disappointing. All in all a book where the journey was considerably more rewarding than the destination.
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badly squished noses. Three books in one in styling, STONE'S FALL tells the story of why John Stone, First (and last) Baron Ravenscliff died, falling from a window at his London home. Starting out with a funeral in Paris in 1953, the story quickly sets itself in 1909 London, in the immediate aftermath of Stone's death. Matthew Braddock, young, enthusiastic, journalist finds himself in the unlikely position of being hired by Elizabeth, Lady Ravenscliff ostensibly to write the biography of her husband. In truth, he is tasked to discover the truth of his death. The middle section of the book, set in 1890's Paris switches the viewpoint to that of Henry Cort - long time friend of Elizabeth and Stone, ex-banker, ex-journalist, government informer, Cort is a shadowy figure in the earlier London based investigation, and the middle section sets out to explain why. Everything leads to the final section of the book - Venice, 1867 and Stone's own story, told by him, right up to the time at which he dies.
As each of these viewpoints is effectively a book in their own right, there is a lot of time and space for Pears to flesh out their individual stories and to reveal the elements that go to make up the truth behind Stone's death. Matthew Braddock's investigations, which he undertakes from a starting point of very little information takes him back into Stone's own past as well as that of his wife. He works diligently, but frequently somewhat ineptly to discover the truth behind Stone's life. Along the way facts are revealed, relationships exposed and slowly the details of a complicated personal and business life are revealed. In the second part of the book, Henry Cort takes over the story, opening up in particular, facets of Elizabeth's life that have had an impact on Stone's death. Each of these parts leads inevitably to Stone's opportunity to tell his own story wherein a lot of time is available to discuss motivations and tie up some loose ends. Stone's personal life has definitely had it's own complications, his business life likewise. Unfortunately, of the entire book, the final section is undoubtedly the weakest with some lapses into inexplicable and seemingly unnecessary supernatural elements, and a rushed and somewhat clumsy resolution.
STONE'S FALL is an interesting book because of its structure. Tipping the narrative timeline on its head, starting with a death and then working backwards in such incredible detail isn't a standard approach, and it made for something very different. Within this structure there were parts of the book which were just dazzling and absolutely involving, and parts that were less successful. Unfortunately the less successful was undoubtedly the finale which just got unbelievably clunky, and to be frank, so transparent it was really really disappointing. All in all a book where the journey was considerably more rewarding than the destination.
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LibraryThing member nbmars
Note: There are no spoilers in this review.
This book has gotten quite a few rave reviews. Thus I hesitate to say that I was not as much taken with this book. It does have a number of twists, but I don’t think Pears rendered them as skillfully as some other authors. Likewise, his evocation of the
A mystery is spun for us out of the question of why John Stone, the First (and last) Baron Ravenscliff, fell or was pushed from the window of his home in London in 1909. John Stone was a financial genius who had vast holdings in a number of industries and banks closely tied to war and diplomacy. The extent of his power could only be guessed at, and his estate was rumored to be huge. Moreover, he had a fear of heights and never went near windows.
To get the bottom of this enigma, the story moves backwards in time, revealing more and more with each different perspective offered, until in the last few pages, the mystery is finally solved.
Ordinarily, getting there should be most of the fun, but for me, in the case of this book, it was not.
The story in Part One is told by Matthew Broddick, a young and inconsequential reporter inexplicably chosen by the widow Lady Catherine Ravenscliff to investigate some perplexing bequests in her late husband’s will. Broddick finds he has to learn a great deal about finances even to ask the right questions. We, the readers, get tutored as well. In addition, Pears attempts to draw us into the Edwardian Era in London, but after reading how an author like Sarah Waters could bring the Victorian Era alive, the effort by Pears seems like a careless afterthought.
In Part Two, we go back to 1890 to hear from Henry Cort, an enigmatic and powerful agent of Special Services (i.e., government spy) who seems to have a history with both Stone and his wife. The book starts to get more interesting here, as we get to know the Baron and Lady Ravenscliff more intimately.
In Part Three, we hear from John Stone himself, in 1867 Venice. This should be the best part, and in a way it is, because much becomes clear, but in a more important sense, it is not. In order to work out his plot twists, Pears renders Stone as a man who is incredibly naïve and gulled easily by all sorts of people. Unfortunately this is totally at odds with his reputation for an unparalleled ability to see through and understand people. Moreover, Pears runs on interminably about Venice and the people who live there – to draw out the suspense, perhaps? Since we are well past page 400 by the point that Part Three starts, I hardly think that an adequate justification. The only good thing about the author's nattering on about the decay of Venice is that he is no longer nattering on about the allure of Lady Ravenscliff, which he could have mentioned at least a hundred fewer times.
And when the mystery is solved? Yes, it’s a complete surprise, but it’s pretty bizarre and unlikely for a number of reasons (primarily because I cannot believe the person who discovered it would have been able to do so).
Evaluation: Edit, edit, edit! Please! Even if shortened, I was not so impressed with the writing. For drawing us into a past way of life, he is no Sarah Waters. For discussing the politics and economics of “the winds of war,” he is no Herman Wouk. For an investigation into a financial dynasty, he is no Stieg Larsson. For maintaining suspense, he’s too dilatory. At least 200 pages could have been pared (so to speak) off of this Pears.
This book has gotten quite a few rave reviews. Thus I hesitate to say that I was not as much taken with this book. It does have a number of twists, but I don’t think Pears rendered them as skillfully as some other authors. Likewise, his evocation of the
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pre-war mood in Europe did not seem very sophisticated. Nevertheless, I didn't totally dislike it, but I am not disposed to rave about it.A mystery is spun for us out of the question of why John Stone, the First (and last) Baron Ravenscliff, fell or was pushed from the window of his home in London in 1909. John Stone was a financial genius who had vast holdings in a number of industries and banks closely tied to war and diplomacy. The extent of his power could only be guessed at, and his estate was rumored to be huge. Moreover, he had a fear of heights and never went near windows.
To get the bottom of this enigma, the story moves backwards in time, revealing more and more with each different perspective offered, until in the last few pages, the mystery is finally solved.
Ordinarily, getting there should be most of the fun, but for me, in the case of this book, it was not.
The story in Part One is told by Matthew Broddick, a young and inconsequential reporter inexplicably chosen by the widow Lady Catherine Ravenscliff to investigate some perplexing bequests in her late husband’s will. Broddick finds he has to learn a great deal about finances even to ask the right questions. We, the readers, get tutored as well. In addition, Pears attempts to draw us into the Edwardian Era in London, but after reading how an author like Sarah Waters could bring the Victorian Era alive, the effort by Pears seems like a careless afterthought.
In Part Two, we go back to 1890 to hear from Henry Cort, an enigmatic and powerful agent of Special Services (i.e., government spy) who seems to have a history with both Stone and his wife. The book starts to get more interesting here, as we get to know the Baron and Lady Ravenscliff more intimately.
In Part Three, we hear from John Stone himself, in 1867 Venice. This should be the best part, and in a way it is, because much becomes clear, but in a more important sense, it is not. In order to work out his plot twists, Pears renders Stone as a man who is incredibly naïve and gulled easily by all sorts of people. Unfortunately this is totally at odds with his reputation for an unparalleled ability to see through and understand people. Moreover, Pears runs on interminably about Venice and the people who live there – to draw out the suspense, perhaps? Since we are well past page 400 by the point that Part Three starts, I hardly think that an adequate justification. The only good thing about the author's nattering on about the decay of Venice is that he is no longer nattering on about the allure of Lady Ravenscliff, which he could have mentioned at least a hundred fewer times.
And when the mystery is solved? Yes, it’s a complete surprise, but it’s pretty bizarre and unlikely for a number of reasons (primarily because I cannot believe the person who discovered it would have been able to do so).
Evaluation: Edit, edit, edit! Please! Even if shortened, I was not so impressed with the writing. For drawing us into a past way of life, he is no Sarah Waters. For discussing the politics and economics of “the winds of war,” he is no Herman Wouk. For an investigation into a financial dynasty, he is no Stieg Larsson. For maintaining suspense, he’s too dilatory. At least 200 pages could have been pared (so to speak) off of this Pears.
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LibraryThing member egb9h2
Iain, fire that editor, because they should have called a halt to you well before the middle of this travesty. The Dream of Scipio and Instance of a Fingerpost were great (former more than latter), and the idea in Stone's Fall was both modern and very pertinent, but come on! The last third in
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particular was just all over the place! Very sad, mr Pears, and very disappointed! Show Less
LibraryThing member randalrh
Stone's Fall covers a lot of ground--from the finance of empire to spycraft to relationships and how the approach to them changes over years. It does this by examining an overlapping set of events having to do with the life of John Stone, an idustrialist and financier, from three different points
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of view and points in time. Set in the early twentieth century, the novel largely succeeds in its aim to reveal not just the meaning of events experienced differently by different narrators, but also the differing nature of the institutions, professions, and organizations in which events take place, depending on the specific narrator's background and point of view. There are a couple of large coincidences (and one huge one), unless I missed the tie-in, which is entirely possible with Pears. Despite these, the novel as a whole ties together nicely and allows the reader to assimilate the truth of each narrator's vision, however factually wrong it might sometimes be. Show Less
LibraryThing member pierthinker
This is a dense and complex book. The narrative runs backwards in time and each section is told through the voice and literary device of a different character. Plot and character twists appear everywhere. Some are obvious and are telegraphed to the reader in advance. The final twist is one I did
The opening part is an Edwardian thriller-c*m-gothic horror where a rudderless hack is hired to investigate an industrialist’s death and discover a mysterious child bequeathed a fortune in his will (Rosebud, anyone?). This moves into the second part, a procedural thriller describing the training of a spy and the thwarting of a complex financial attack on England. The last part becomes a semi-supernatural dream sequence set in Venice.
Each part is whole of itself and opens the stories and characters introduced in the preceeding part. The overall themes of this book are the damaging effects of unintended consequences and the personal horrors that can arise from seeing the world as some other person sees it.
A book that requires concentration and repays the effort.
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not see coming and has the power to shock, putting other parts of the narrative into a different context. Reading the book a second time, with all the knowledge you did not have first time around, this does become a different story.The opening part is an Edwardian thriller-c*m-gothic horror where a rudderless hack is hired to investigate an industrialist’s death and discover a mysterious child bequeathed a fortune in his will (Rosebud, anyone?). This moves into the second part, a procedural thriller describing the training of a spy and the thwarting of a complex financial attack on England. The last part becomes a semi-supernatural dream sequence set in Venice.
Each part is whole of itself and opens the stories and characters introduced in the preceeding part. The overall themes of this book are the damaging effects of unintended consequences and the personal horrors that can arise from seeing the world as some other person sees it.
A book that requires concentration and repays the effort.
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LibraryThing member Kasthu
I had mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, I enjoyed parts of the story and the historical setting is, or course, fantastic. But on the other, I though Stone’s Fall was a bit too slow-moving wordy—it’s a 500-page novel in the body of an 800-page one. The book’s three sections each
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reveal a different part of the mystery, but I felt as though each ended abruptly, with no true conclusion. As I read, I found my attention wandering many times, too. In addition, the financial parts of the novel were a bit above my head, and Pears is a little too fond of clichés (of the “she could see into my soul” variety). Still, as I said, other parts of the story were enjoyable. Show Less
LibraryThing member jennbisk
I really liked this book. I was shocked by the ending and I loved how everything came together like a puzzle. I did find it a little hard to keep track of who was who, and who was narrating, especially as it went backwards in time. Reading it was a great experience though.
LibraryThing member flashflood42
My husband and I are about half way through listening to this book about the death of an arms dealer who sounds as if his empire of banks, arms factories, etc. was a network that could have affected the course of history. A crime-beat journalist is hired by the wife to investigate the will, leaving
A very complicated novel but totally engrossing.
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a big inheritance to a child she did not know existed. Along the way, the young journalist, besotted by the wife, learns of the financial empire and the corruption of the husband. A very complicated novel but totally engrossing.
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LibraryThing member Smiley
Good book, if maybe a little too neat. The character of Elizabeth is not wholly believable. The novel itself is a meditation on capital and business. The action moves swiftly and the reversed order of telling the story works well.
LibraryThing member keywestnan
A long but absorbing novel, told in three sections moving backwards through time. Pears is an excellent storyteller, using the world of finance and industry as a backdrop but making clear that humanity, with all our messy and sometimes inexplicable emotions, is his real subject.
Awards
The Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction (Shortlist — 2010)
Bästa översatta kriminalroman (Nominee — 2010)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2009-05-05
Physical description
8.3 inches
ISBN
0385522851 / 9780385522854