Circles of Stone

I greatly enjoyed reading this book. Like the reviewer before me says, towards the end the author is preachy and somewhat tacky, but it's only a couple pages in the face of a few hundred good ones. The first Zena makes me believe that that is how prehisoric forms of man really were. It had a Jack London quality, in that you felt as though you could know the thoughts of animals. The second part was even more entertianing, and the third part was the best. The book was informative and exciting. The writing was vivid, visual, and informed. It's not the best I've ever read, but I'd recommend it. Other very good historical fiction: "clan of the cave bear" (very similar to this book), "Aztec" and "raptor" by Gary Jennings (the best writer of historical fiction ever! - the most exciting, unable to put them down books i've ever read), "the mists of avalon" (fantasy intermingled with history, and some of the same earth religion themes as in this book)

In the footsteps of Jean Auel, Joan Dahr Lambert takes us further back in time & to our birthplace continent - Africa, where our progenitress begins to get it right as do her daughters & theirs. With imaginative writing & vivid adventures, in a world so utterly fresh & untrameled, we walk beside a certain Eve & learn of her spiritual awakenings. A wonderful womanly read!

I finished this book several days ago, and it is still with me. How ironic to be sitting in an easy chair in my climate-controlled house, in my safe little neighborhood, drinking tea and eating a cookie while reading about Zena I desperately digging into a riverbed in search of water, Zena II watching everyone she loves die in a stampede, and Zena III risking her life with a herd of bison to keep from freezing to death. The story is fascinating; the characters seem incredibly real; and the spirituality is a comfort to those of us who feel connected to the universal force we call "mother". The author becomes a bit preachy toward the end of the book, but by then we've been led on such an incredible journey that we are inclined to forgive. This is a beautiful book on so many levels, not the least of which is that it made me want to learn more about anthropology so I could feel even closer to the characters. Highly recommended!

Anyone who would like to gain some understanding of the violence and abuse in our lives, or who yearns for a world centered around life and life-giving activities should read this book. Lambert not only gives the reader a graphic picture of the dangers in pre-historic times, but she also offers subtle and not-so-subtle explanations for violent behavior and male/female tension. She lets the reader discover through her characters what our ancient ancesters faced just to let homo sapiens survive and evolve. CIRCLES OF STONE winds its meticulous way from the discovery of fire through the recognition of heredity. Lambert's three Zenas (not to be confused with the Warrior Princess) experience danger from other creatures and the planet itself. They also lead the reader into their recognition of a power beyond themselves, called MOTHER, and to tenderness and commitment to another person. CIRCLES OF STONE is good story-telling with fascinating characters discovering more than themselves; they are discovering humanity. Even though this book is Lambert's first published novel, I sincerely hope that she has several others ready for publication. This book has influenced my sense of history as much or more than CLAN OF THE CAVE BEAR by Jean Auel. I have recommended it to several friends who hurried to their bookstores, and were glad they did.

This book is one that will stay with me for the rest of my life. As a person who is searching for a true and authentic way to live, this book gives me insight into how things were meant to be. It's a real eye-opener for those who can't seem to get beyond patriarchy, feeling that patriarchy is how it always was and always will be. Circles of Stone is a perfect companion to the outstanding futurist, feminist work "Chalice and the Blade." Circles shows how we can live in "parnership" rather than "domination." I can't recommend this book more highly.