Read it: The Stone Book Quartet

"Oh, the years of Man are the looms of God
Let down from the place of the sun;
Wherein we are weaving always,
Till the mystic work is done!"  ("The Stone Book," page 35)
My ongoing reading journey through a variety of folk traditions recently brought be back around to English writer and folklorist Alan Garner, author of The Owl Service (tremendous!) and The Weirdstone of Brisingham (fun!). After looking for something new to read from Garner I came across a series of four short stories which, when published together, are titled The Stone Book Quartet. When I initially sought the book out at my local public library, the 1978 edition they had available from storage in the stacks consisted of only the first story, “The Stone Book.” While this hardcover book does include several beautiful etchings by Michael Foreman, it did not include the three stories that, published later, ultimately comprised the entire four-story sequence. As a result, I devoured “The Stone Book” and quickly ordered a more recent Harper Perennial collection which includes all four stories as well as a biographical sketch of the author, an interview and a wonderful family photograph from 1890 that inspired the author's writing ("About the Book," page 16). Taken as a whole, each extra lends additional depth to the series and only adds to the great value of the purchase.

Foreword from 1978 edition of
  The Stone Book does an
excellent job explaining
arc of all four stories.

The Stone Book Quarter consists of “The Stone Book”, “Granny Reardun”, “The Aimer Gate”, and “Tom Fobble’s Day”, clocking in at a breezy and concise 172 pages. While each story can stand alone as a look at one part of Garner’s somewhat fictionalized family history (as revealed in the book's additional matter), taken together it paints of broad and deep understanding from a multitude of generational and gender perspectives. During my first (this will find its way into my list of titles to re-read annually) read through I could not help but take notes in my 5" x 3" spiral bound as images brought up in “The Stone Book” found their way back around through the other stories. Each story takes a look at familial relationships, an individual character's search for purpose through work, while painting a vivid picture of each historical period with direct language. In addition to taking notes regarding images and plot, I also found myself looking up terms and concepts that applied to each career explored, among them stone masonry, textile and metal work. A secondary motif that runs throughout The Stone Book Quartet is the communal power of song. Each chapter includes family members young and old who find joy in their work and play through a shared tune. Despite the seemingly hard-scrabbled lives of the characters, each takes pride in being able to contribute to an occasional tune either through voice or instrument.

Back cover of 1978 edition of
  The Stone Book with Foreman
etching of Father's mason mark.

In The Owl Service and other works, Garner points to the impact of mythology and folklore as carried through landscape, but here the mythology extends to include family and work. The magic of The Stone Book Quartet lies not in supernatural dishes or stones, but rather in the connection built among family and craft through time. For Garner’s characters, the magic of existence is revealed in identifying and pursuing one’s productive passion whether in stone, iron, wood or even, in Uncle Charlie's case in "The Aimer Gate", stopping rabbits from striking. Each of these elemental pursuits create family across generations and this practical magic is often unrevealed until one looks into a small corner or behind a shadowy wall.

The Stone Book Quartet is well worth seeking out for those interested in folklore, English history and legacy.