While digging through the Nobel Archives in Stockholm, trying to figure out why his hero, Sigmund Freud, never received a Nobel Prize, a psychiatrist makes an unusual discovery. Among the unsolicited self-nominations in the museum’s ‘Crackpot’ file, there are six letters addressed to Mr. Ragnar Sohlman, executor of Alfred Nobel’s will. Remarkably, all but one is crafted by a different Nobel laureate – including Rudyard Kipling, Ivan Pavlov, Teddy Roosevelt and Marie Curie – and each is an explanation of why and how Stonehenge was constructed. Diligent research eventually uncovers that Alfred Nobel, intrigued by a young woman’s obsession with the mysterious landmark, added a secret codicil to his will: ‘a prize – reserved exclusively for Nobel laureates – was to be awarded to the person who solves the mystery of Stonehenge.’
But is this fact or is this fiction? Weaving together a wealth of primary documents – photos, letters, wills – The Stonehenge Letters acts as a wryly documented archive of a fascinating secret competition, complete with strange but illuminating submissions and a contentious prize-awarding process.
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Praise
December 1, 2014
The Stonehenge Letters makes Quill and Quire’s picks for books of the year 2014
November 3, 2014
Stonehenge Experts Weigh In!
Professor Timothy Darvill, Times Higher Education, Oct 30, 2014
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“The Stonehenge Letters is a joy to read, wry and amusing throughout.”
Professor Mike Parker-Pearson, author of Stonehenge – A New Understanding: Solving the Mysteries of the Greatest Stone Age Monument
August 25, 2014
More reviews!
Publisher’s Weekly
“rewards with surprising touches of humor and a nuanced take on the lives of Nobel winners.”
Literary Review of Canada
“this novel charms with its games and connections.”
EditorialEyes Review
“…might be the most original book you’ll read this year.”
July 2, 2014
What wonderful company! See Steven Beattie’s Canada Day list of best Canadian-authored books
June 5, 2014
Toronto Star review by Michel Basilières – “completely engaging and delightful.”
June 4, 2014
On Writing
May 31, 2014
Read Michael Hingston’s review of The Stonehenge Letters
May 12, 2014
Audio version now available
May 9, 2014
Interview with poet Ariel Gordon. Go Winnipeg go!
April 24, 2014
LitReactor.com Bookshots Review
‘The Stonehenge Letters’ is a fantastic book, and well done to the publisher for taking a chance on such a weird hybrid work.”
April 19, 2014
Shaun Smith at Fiction Craft asks: What role does money play in your fiction?
April 16, 2014
BCBookLook Review
Nobel winners on Stonehenge
April 11, 2014
The Globe and Mail – Review by Jade Colbert
“a fascinating, highly original novel.”
March 25, 2014
A Pop-up Stonehenge!
Thanks Evan!
February 7, 2014
Very pleased that Mark Medley at the National Post has named my upcoming novel – The Stonehenge Letters – one of his 25 most anticipated Canadian books of 2014.