The Seeing Stone

by Kevin Crossley-Holland

Book Overview

Kidnapped from their Saxon village by Viking berserkers, Jack and his sister face trolls, giant creatures, and enslavement before making their way home This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0439263263
• ISBN13: 9780439263269
• Release Date: October 2001
• Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
• Length: 342 Pages
• Weight: 1.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.2" x 9.3"
• Age Range: 9 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 7

Customer Reviews

A True King

Arthur is the son of a knight from the Middle March, the strip land in-between Britain and Wales. This young boy's life is about to change forever. This book shows the beginning of his new beginning. Merlin once told him that crossing-places aren't quite sure of themselves; like midnight, the beach, bridges, and the March itself. Arthur is about to venture into his own crossing-place. One of the many things in this book that I found that was put to extremely good use was the diary form in which it was written. It was very unusual about it was that each entry had no date attached. Arthur treated it like a friend that could confide his thoughts and the daily happenings to. Through this sort of writing you almost start to think of Arthur as an old friend that you have known for a very long time. He doesn't address you as a person but often says things such as, "I like my Nain's [his grandmother is called Nain] stories" I'll admit that at the beginning this book is a little confusing if you don't first understand that it is a diary without dates. Also another part that might throw the reader into udder chaos is that Arthur never really fills you in on who he is, where he is, and what has been happening in his life before he started writing, but it is all clarified as you read on. The entries headings are a cross between a journal entry and a title of a chapter in a novel. The first thing you read is the title of the first entry, "Arthur and Merlin [speaking of himself and the mysterious old man who lives in the village]",And then it goes straight into the writing. This book interested me because I had never actually read a book about King Arthur before, but this one meet and exceeded my expectations of what this type of book should be. After I read the first few pages I came to realize that this Arthur is not the legendary King Arthur, but is almost a shadowy reflection of him. In ways the Arthur of this book is, yet is not, the Arthur of legend. As Arthur says, "I am living in two worlds [he says this because he has seen visions of himself as the king of Britain]." This book reminded me of the Lord of the Rings trilogy because of the characters simplicity. Their beliefs and ways of living and thinking are very clearly defined. They knew what was right and what was wrong, and they tried their bests to do what was right. Some of their beliefs might seem foolish, but at least they had faith in those old myths. One example would be Arthur saying, "I listen to the beech trees, they sound like whispering spirits [that is what his Welsh grandmother told him]" The way in which this book engulfs you is quite literally amazing. It gets you interested in the very beginning by introducing you to two of the main characters and a little bit of the mystery. By the second or third entry you are hooked. Then, in a manner of speaking, the plot starts throwing you around like a roller coaster. One thing that catches your eye at the beginning is when he exclaims, "T

Resonant of Malory and Bradley and White, but uniquely so

This is must-reading for Arthurian lore lovers and makes a great "while we're waiting" pleasure for the Potterphiles. KCH is a sublime authority on the Anglo-Saxon and a talented fabulist as well. His characters are engaging, even when they're busy being less than wonderful and the plot twists and turns, even though the storyline rings with familiarity. This take on the Matter of Britain is different and by the end of this first of a proposed trilogy, the reader still isn't entirely sure where it'll all end up, but that just makes 'em want the next volume all the more. Not just for the 'tween-agers it's been marketed to; another fine holiday or anytime read. Intriguing prose style and narrative techniques.

WOW!!!!!

The novel The Seeing Stone (Arthur Trilogy, Book One)by Kevin Crossley-Holland was one of the most amazing that I have ever read. Just recently I read the harry potter series and since then have been waiting for another series of its quality and detail to come out, and this book completely went up to and over the level that harry potter was written at. If you like history, adventure, or even love in an novel, do yoursel a favor and buy this book. You will be extremely happy with this purchase.

A WELL READ ADDITION TO ARTHURIAN LORE

The first of a promised Arthurian trilogy by British author Kevin Crossley-Holland is inventive and entertaining. Stage and film actor Michael Murphy gives apt reading to this tale of young Arthur de Caldicot who lives in an English manor during the 12th century. His dream is not unlike the dreams of many boys his age - he yearns to grow up and be a knight, very much like his namesake. Young Arthur's father has an intriguing friend - Merlin who gives the boy a magic stone. When the boy looks deeply into the polished stone he can see the life of another Arthur. The puzzle is what is in store for his life and is it, by any chance, reflected by the events he sees unfolding in the stone? "The Seeing Stone" is a choice piece of historical drama which will be particularly enjoyed by all Round Table aficionados. Details of medieval life, codes of chivalry, and court etiquette abound. As this story closes young Arthur de Caldicot is to achieve his ambition of becoming a squire and he will go with his father on a crusade to Jerusalem. Listeners will eagerly await the next in this trilogy, a welcome addition to Arthurian lore. - Gail Cooke

A sheer delight.

A joy to read, aloud as well as silently. Each chapter - and they all beg to be read aloud - is almost a snap shot into Arthur's life - and the end of the 12th century. People and places have great reality. And, for both readers and listeners, the seeing-stone offers the delight of recognition as the world of Arthur-in-the-stone unfolds.Somehow, I am reminded of both Rosemary Sutcliffe and Dylan Thomas; this is a book that will only be lent to people guarranteed to return it! And now to the second volume (which is already available in Australia).