Review of “Two Runs of Stone: A Beckoning Call” by Steven D. Nielsen

I was gifted a copy of this amazing book many years ago and it sat on my shelf until recently when I came across it again. Oddly enough, I’m actually glad that it took me so long to read it. Had I read it when I received it I would not have appreciated it nearly as much as I do now.

Since that time I became an author myself who has written 8 novels and two nonfiction books. Thus, being familiar with the work involved in the creative and publishing process I can admire this magnificent story even more.

The author did an exceptional job crafting living, breathing characters, and placing the reader into 19^th Century Denmark. The imagery was astounding and interwoven with the story in such a skillful manner that every scene comes alive. The necklace was a beautiful symbol on so many levels.

The book itself is a work of art. I’m disappointed that there is no mention of who did the gorgeous artwork or designed the cover  on this 2003 hardback, which is a perfect complement to the story within. The notes included for each section enrich the story with historical facts that contribute to the overall context.

This is truly a masterful work. I learned so much about Denmark, its history, people and struggles. Shortly after completing this story I came upon a beautiful flower-studded picture of a windmill. I beheld it for several minutes, having a new appreciation for the structure’s complexity and essential function. I’m also grateful that since I read this book years later that there are now several volumes that continue this gripping saga.

My criteria for an outstanding book is for it to make me laugh, cry, learn something, and see something in a new way. This book checked all the boxes. As an author and editor myself, however, there was one thing I found that kept this novel from absolute perfection. The copy editing was remiss in several areas regarding proper punctuation, especially for dialog, as well as a few minor typos. This spectacular story deserved better.

You can get a copy in any format you prefer on Amazon here.