zeit.de
Ken Follett's "Stonehenge: Circle of Days" Explores the Construction of the Iconic Monument
Ken Follett's new historical novel, "Stonehenge: Circle of Days," details the construction of Stonehenge 4500 years ago, focusing on the challenges and human drama involved in moving massive stones and building the monument.
- How does Follett's meticulous research process influence the narrative, and what are the broader implications of his approach?
- Follett's extensive research, involving historical experts and a detailed exposé, ensures historical accuracy, impacting the narrative's credibility. This approach fosters a deeper understanding of the period and challenges readers to question assumptions about past societies.
- What is the central theme of Follett's "Stonehenge: Circle of Days," and what are its immediate implications for understanding the past?
- The novel centers on the human effort and social dynamics behind the construction of Stonehenge, highlighting the challenges of moving massive stones without modern technology. It implies a more complex social organization and collaborative effort than previously assumed for that era.
- What are the critical perspectives on Follett's writing style, and how do these critiques relate to the novel's portrayal of Stonehenge's origins?
- While praised for readability and pacing, critics often cite Follett's characters as simplistic. In "Stonehenge," this criticism might relate to the novel's speculative approach to Stonehenge's religious origins, emphasizing human drama over archaeological certainty. Follett acknowledges the ambiguity surrounding Stonehenge's purpose, basing his narrative on intuitive understanding rather than definitive historical evidence.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article presents a balanced view of Ken Follett's work, acknowledging both positive and negative critical opinions. While praising Follett's success and meticulous research, it also mentions criticisms of his characters as 'bland' and his plots as 'predictable'. The structure presents these contrasting perspectives fairly, without overtly favoring one side. However, the emphasis on Follett's immense sales figures (more than 190 million copies) could be seen as implicitly framing his work as inherently successful, potentially overshadowing the critical counterpoints.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral and descriptive. Terms like 'backsteindicken Historienromane' (brick-thick historical novels) are descriptive rather than judgmental. While phrases like 'packenden Lesen' (gripping reading) and 'einfache Meldungen im Mittelpunkt' (simple messages at the center) could be interpreted as subtly negative, they are presented within a balanced context. The use of direct quotes from Follett and critics further enhances neutrality.
Bias by Omission
The article could benefit from a more in-depth exploration of differing historical interpretations of Stonehenge. While it mentions alternative theories about its purpose, it doesn't delve into the scholarly debate surrounding these theories in detail. This omission, however, might be due to space constraints and the article's focus on Follett's novel rather than a comprehensive historical analysis of Stonehenge.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article discusses the construction of Stonehenge, highlighting human ingenuity and collaborative efforts to build a large-scale structure in a pre-industrial era. This indirectly relates to SDG 9, which focuses on building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation. The narrative showcases the dedication and problem-solving skills needed to achieve a monumental task with limited technology, mirroring the innovative solutions required for modern infrastructure development.