The Gift of Stones

<p>‘The intense story of the pre-historical moment when stone yielded to bronze . . . Crace is a virtuoso’ Frank Kermode, <i>New York Times </i><br><br> A coastal community live prosperously crafting fine stone tools. But their proud insularity is breached by raiders, and in the violence a boy loses his arm. Useless as a knapper, he finds a role as the village storyteller, roaming far and returning home with fantastically embellished tales. When the arrival of a new metal threatens all their livelihoods, his fearless imagination becomes a lifesaving gift.<br><br> ‘His style is as simple as it is beautiful . . . Crace reveals the dignity in human labour and the power of the passing of time’<br><br> <i>Herald</i><br><br> ‘A deceptively simple book that explores profound ideas with a rare delicacy of touch’ <i>Los Angeles Times</i><br><br> ‘Bewitching . . . brings a lost world to life and imbues it with a sense of wonder’ <i>Sunday Times</i></p>