The Stone Angel

by Katherine Scholes

One summer changed Stella Boyd forever.
It was 1975. And his name was Zeph.

Fifteen years later, Stella's life is full of excitement and danger as she travels the world writing magazine articles about women. But then one day she receives an urgent message that changes everything. Her father is missing at sea.

Stella heads home to Halfmoon Bay, the Tasmanian fishing village where she grew up. She desperately doesn't want to face the painful memories that await her. But as she takes part in the search for her father, the life of her old home draws in around her. She finds herself taken back to that extraordinary summer when she met a young man who was sailing the world alone. A time of devastating tragedy, but also of first love . . .

Like the sea itself, the past rises up, refusing to be ignored. There are dark secrets to be unearthed, lost dreams recovered. Only then can hearts be healed, and an unexpected reward be claimed.

Genres: Fiction, Romance

372 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Katherine Scholes was born in Tanzania, East Africa, the daughter of a missionary doctor and an artist. She has fond memories of travelling with her parents and siblings on long safaris to remote areas where her father operated a clinic from his Land Rover. When she was ten, the family left Tanzania, going first to England and then settling in Tasmania. As an adult, Katherine moved to Melbourne with her film-maker husband. After working there for many years, writing books and making films, they returned with their two sons to live in Tasmania.

Katherine's internationally bestselling novels have been translated into numerous languages. She is especially popular in Germany and France, where she has sold over two million books.

Reviews

[Sandra Dias · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sem dúvida que este livro acabou por ser muito melhor do que o que estava à espera.

Não é um livro cor-de-rosa e fofinho, mas sim um romance dramático de uma mulher (Stella) que carrega consigo uma dor do que poderia ter sido, do que não lhe deixaram ser, da falta de um abraço de apoio no momento que mais precisou.

Mas quando o seu pai desaparece no mar, Stella vê-se obrigada a retornar ao local onde a dor está enterrada.
Ao ser obrigada a enfrentar a sua mãe, o desaparecimento do pai e o retorno de Zeph, Stella vai ter de remexer na sua dor adormecida e a deslindar a rede de segredos e mentiras mal estruturadas que o seu pai espalhou na localidade para justificar o desaparecimento de Stella há 15 anos atrás.


Confesso que ao chegar à página 184, o meu coração doeu pela menina Stella Boyd e não pude deixar de simpatizar com ela.

Um romance que começou um pouco lento para o meu gosto, mas que se revelou muito mais enriquecedor do que os últimos que li.

Já agora, uma pequena palavra à editora Saída de Emergência - Os meus parabéns por uma das mais belas e perfeitas capas que alguma vez vi. A coadunação dos vários elementos (as gotas de água, a mulher de cabelo escuro e pele clara, as pedras arredondadas do mar) e o conteúdo do livro é da mais absoluta perfeição.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Katherine really understands/researches the places she writes about, and it comes through very clearly in her books.

[Cindy Landes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mouin…. Mauvais choix. J’avais envie d’une romance quétaine, mais finalement la romance représente environ 15% du livre. Et en plus, elle est plutôt banale 🥴

C’est plutôt une histoire de famille avec secret enfoui… J’adore ça habituellement, donc ça aurait pu me plaire grandement! Mais c’est très bof à ce niveau aussi! Rien n’était palpitant, rien n’était approfondi. Un flop pour moi! 🤷‍♀️

[Filipa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boa estreia! http://labirinto-livros.blogspot.com/...

****


Este é o primeiro livro da autora que leio. Já há bastante tempo que andava interessada nesta obra, mas apenas há pouco tempo é que se deu a oportunidade para a comprar. Assim, também agora se deu a oportunidade para ler o livro da autora que já se encontrava há algum tempo na estante.
Acho que posso dizer que fui para esta leitura com os olhos vendados. Nunca tinha ouvido falar sobre a autora e poucas ou mesmo nenhumas foram as opiniões que vi sobre o livro. Por isso mesmo, as expectativas eram nulas e só tinha como guia, uma sinopse que pouco diz.
No entanto, o pouco que a sinopse diz foi o suficiente para espicaçar o meu interesse e daí veio a vontade de ler a obra.
Pareceu-me um livro exactamente à minha medida. Um romance com algum mistério por trás, seria tudo o que eu poderia esperar deste livro, apenas confiando na sinopse.
No entanto, o livro acabou por não se mostrar exactamente aquilo que eu estaria à espera, começando precisamente pelo género literário. Este livro poderia ser considerado um drama, ainda que com algum romance.
Estava à espera de um mistério, mas encontrei mais que isso. Encontrei uma história que superou as expectativas que eu tinha.


Stella Boyd é uma jornalista que viaja pelo mundo inteiro à procura das suas histórias. Histórias estas que não são fáceis de digerir e mostram muitas das vezes um lado negro da humanidade. Apesar de ter conseguido este emprego e aparentemente ser feliz, as coisas não são assim tão simples quanto isso.
Stella encontra-se na Etiópia em trabalho quando recebe uma mensagem altamente perturbadora.
Esta avisa-a que o seu pai foi dado como desaparecido depois de ter ido para o mar com a sua fiel embarcação. Stella, há quinze anos que não vai a casa, pelo que apesar de saber que é a sua obrigação voltar à Austrália e ao seu lar, receia o que este regresso poderá fazer à sua vida e ao seu estado de espírito.
Isto porque a Tasmânia de há quinze anos atrás esconde muitos segredos e mentiras dentro da família Boyd.


Enquanto parte em busca do pai, os seus receios tornam-se realidade e as recordações assaltam-na sem misericórdia. No entanto, dizem que há males que vêm por bem.... E voltar a reviver o verão de 1975 poderá ser a resposta para Stella conseguir finalmente ser feliz.


Como já disse, o livro foi uma agradável surpresa. Não estando familiarizada com a escrita da autora e não tendo pesquisado pareceres de outros leitores, foi com algum receio que comecei a leitura.
No entanto, a autora conseguiu envolver-me no seu enredo e mostrou que soube construir uma história que apesar de ter os seus momentos tristes, teve tem a sua dose de esperança.
Não é uma história muito fácil. As dinâmicas familiares são o mote deste enredo e aquilo que mais consegue frustrar o leitor. No entanto, a história também nos traz momentos lindos, dignos de recordação e uma história que poderá inspirar os leitores com paisagens exóticas australianas à mistura.


Gostei bastante desta experiência e considero que foi uma estreia muito positiva. Não costumo ler muitos dramas, porque acredito que para ler sobre acontecimentos depressivos basta olharmos pela janela e vermos com olhos de ver, o nosso próprio mundo, mas neste caso, não me arrependo. Até muito pelo contrário.


Assim, conto ler também o outro livro já publicado pela Saída de Emergência, intitulado "A Rainha da Chuva" e espero que seja, igualmente, uma boa surpresa.

[Ana Domingos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tinha este livro na minha estante há muitos meses, muitos livros foram passando à frente dele, até que no outro dia olhei para ele apeteceu-me lê-lo, para além da sinopse não sabia nada sobre a história, e não sei se foi por não ter expectativas, se por o livro se passar num local que adorava conhecer, no fim excedeu em muito o que esperava dele, gostei imenso da história, da forma humana e doce como foi contada, de como a vida por vezes nos transforma em pessoas que nunca sonhámos ser, apesar de ser um livro de nos leva a querer ler mais e mais, é uma leitura tranquila.

Recomendo vivamente.

[Xadel Δελλή]

O πέτρινος άγγελος. Βρέθηκε ουρανοκατέβατο στην πόρτα μου κι έμελλε να κοσμεί τη βιβλιοθήκη μου για πάντα… Δεν ήξερα τη συγγραφέα, δεν είχα ακούσει το βιβλίο, δεν είχα προσδοκίες… Κι όμως… Ένα καλοκαίρι άλλαξε τη Stella Boyd για πάντα. Ήταν το 1975. Και το όνομά του ήταν Zeph.

Το μόνο που τη δένει με το παρελθόν της είναι ένας πέτρινος άγγελος. Τουλάχιστον έτσι νομίζει…

Δεκαπέντε χρόνια αργότερα, η δημοσιογράφος Stella είναι ανεξάρτητη και ζει μια ζωή γεμάτη από ενθουσιασμό και κίνδυνο, αλλά υπό έλεγχο, καθώς ταξιδεύει παγκόσμια για να γράφει άρθρα περιοδικών που αφορούν τις γυναίκες. Όμως, ενώ δουλεύει στην Αιθιοπία, μια μέρα λαμβάνει ένα επείγον μήνυμα που αλλάζει τα πάντα. Ο πατέρας της αγνοείται στη θάλασσα. Όταν η ευτυχία σου διαταράσσεται από ένα ενοχλητικό μήνυμα!

«Πατέρας σας αγνοούμενος στη θάλασσα»

O πέτρινος άγγελοςΗ Stella τα παρατάει όλα για να κατευθυνθεί προς τον κόλπο Halfmoon, στο ψαροχώρι της Τασμανίας όπου μεγάλωσε. Θέλει να αντιμετωπίσει τις οδυνηρές αναμνήσεις που την περιμένουν; Καθώς συμμετέχει στην έρευνα για τον πατέρα της, ξαναζεί την τότε ζωή της, πίσω στο σπίτι, το 1975. Βρίσκεται πάλι σ’ εκείνο το καλοκαίρι, όταν γνώρισε έναν νεαρό άνδρα που γύριζε μόνος του τον κόσμο, κάνοντας ιστιοπλοΐα.

Περίοδος καταστροφικής τραγωδίας, αλλά και πρώτης αγάπης…

…Ήθελε να τον ρωτήσει: πότε θα φύγεις; Πόσο θα μείνεις; Αλλά έμεινε σιωπηλή. Για κάποιο λόγο ένιωθε ότι αν ξεστόμιζε τη λέξη «φύγεις», ο Ζεφ θα έφευγε. Θα σήκωνε άγκυρα και θα χανόταν στο βάθος του ορίζοντα…

Όπως η θάλασσα, έτσι και το παρελθόν φουσκώνει, αρνούμενο να αγνοηθεί. Υπάρχουν σκοτεινά μυστικά που πρέπει να αποκαλυφθούν, χαμένα όνειρα να ανακτηθούν. Μόνο τότε μπορούν να θεραπευτούν οι καρδιές και να ζητηθεί μια απροσδόκητη ανταμοιβή. Μακριά από μίση και δυσπιστίες. Τι συνέπειες κρύβουν για τη ζωή σου τα νεανικά διλήμματα; Μόνο όταν η Stella ασχοληθεί με τα συναισθηματικά γεγονότα των εφηβικών χρόνων της, μπορεί να αρχίσει να χτίζει ένα μέλλον για τον εαυτό της και τη μητέρα της.

Δεν είναι απλά μια ρομαντική ιστορία. Δεν μιλά απλώς για μια εφηβική αγάπη και μια ενήλικη πληγή καρδιάς. Δεν ακροβατεί ακριβώς ανάμεσα σε δύο χρονικά επίπεδα. Πρόκειται για το χρονικό μιας νεανικής, σχεδόν ωμής αγάπης, που όποιος την βιώνει αισθάνεται πως μπορεί να ξεπεράσει κάθε εμπόδιο, κάθε γονικό κανονισμό.

…έκλεισε τα μάτια. Κράτησε την ανάσα της, μόνο για μια στιγμή, την κρίσιμη στιγμή. Ακολούθησε μια στιγμή μετέωρη, καθώς την κρατούσε αγκαλιά. Το κορμί, η καρδιά, η ψυχή της, όλα γέμισαν, όλα πλημμύρισαν από εκείνον, έγιναν ένα μαζί του…

O πέτρινος άγγελοςΠαθιασμένη γραφή, φυσική ροή, “εικονογραφημένο” ύφος, πανίσχυρες εικόνες που σε κάνουν να ονειρεύεσαι (τυρκουάζ νερά, απομονωμένοι κολπίσκοι, λευκή άμμος…), ένα βιβλίο μυστικών και συγκρούσεων. Ένα ταξίδι ανα-ψυχής πάνω στις ανθρώπινες σχέσεις. Η συγγραφέας εστιάζει ιδιαίτερα εύστοχα στο πώς να παρουσιάσει τους χαρακτήρες του βιβλίου στο συγκεκριμένο γεωγραφικό τους πλαίσιο, “βάζοντας” πάνω τους και μεγάλα ανθρώπινα πάθη, διανθισμένα με συναισθηματικές φορτίσεις.

Πώς κλείνουν οι κύκλοι πόνου;

Η Stella με το αδιαπέραστο, μοναχικό της προσωπείο… Η Grace που σε κάθε σκληρότητα που συναντά, απαντάει ψήνοντας κάτι από το βιβλίο συνταγών της… Ο William που έκανε αυτό που σκέφτηκε πως ήταν σωστό τότε… Και ο έρωτας, ο Zeph!

Κάθε μέρα, η ίδια ακτή μπορεί να σου παρουσιάσει κι έναν διαφορετικό θησαυρό.

Η Scholes έχει αιχμαλωτίσει αριστοτεχνικά αυτές τις μοιραίες στιγμές που μπορούν να αλλάξουν την πορεία πολλών όντων. «Ο πέτρινος άγγελος» αγγίζει τις αισθήσεις με τις πλούσιες περιγραφές της παράκτιας Τασμανίας, -όπου οι καιρικές εναλλαγές είναι πολύ συχνές και απότομες, όπου τα σπίτια των ψαράδων είναι φτιαγμένα σχεδόν πάνω στην ακτή, έτσι ώστε ο ψαράς να μπορεί να επιβλέπει τα δίχτυα του σχεδόν από το σπίτι του!- και αναδεικνύει όλους τους ανοιχτούς λογαριασμούς με τα παιδικά μας σπίτια, τους χώρους όπου μεγαλώσαμε, από τους οποίους είναι δύσκολο να ξεφύγουμε.

Στιγμές που λυπάσαι τις επιλογές που έκανες πέρα από τον έλεγχό σου, ��τιγμές που άλλαξαν τη ζωή σου και την κάνουν να φαντάζει τόσο διαφορετική από εκείνη που θα μπορούσε να είναι… Τα βιβλία της Katherine βασίζονται σε λεπτομερείς έρευνες που πραγματοποιούνται κοντά στο σπίτι της ή σε μέρη τόσο μακρινά όσο η Ανταρκτική. Κάθε δύο χρόνια πραγματοποιεί επίσκεψη στην Τανζανία, η οποία είναι ο τόπος δημιουργίας κι έμπνευσης μερικών από τα αγαπημένα της μυθιστορήματα. Σίγουρα, αφήνει πολλά μικρά χνούδια για το μέλλον των χαρακτήρων της, κάτι που όλοι οι αναγνώστες επιθυμούν.

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really easy read that I read in one day while sitting on the deck of a cruise ship.

The story is about a woman who is working as a journalist in dangerous locations who receives a phone message that her father, who is a fisherman, has gone missing. She returns to the home town that she had not been back to since she left 15 years earlier. As usual with these stories, she has some unfinished business that needs to be resolved on her return.

I found it enjoyable. The story is pretty predictable but it was just what I needed as a holiday read.

[Suzy Dominey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chick lit but I enjoyed it, set in Tasmania

[Sarah Geffke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok wow, das Buch hat mich doch tatsächlich echt vom Hocker gehauen, sehr zu empfehlen

[Sabine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ich hatte keine großen Erwartungen, als ich anfing, „Die Sturmfängerin“ zu lesen, umso mehr habe ich mich gefreut, dass mich das Buch so mitreißen konnte.
Zunächst dachte ich, es sei eine Geschichte, die auf zwei Zeitebenen spielt, musste dann aber feststellen, dass dem nicht so ist – vielmehr beginnt die Geschichte im Jahr 1990, in dem Stella erfährt, dass ihr Vater, den sie Jahre nicht mehr gesehen hat, auf See verschollen ist, und in einem großen Rückblick auf die Jahre zuvor erfährt man als Leser die Gründe für diesen Kontaktabbruch. Natürlich schließt sich am Ende der Kreis, und die Fäden laufen in der Gegenwart wieder zusammen – und diese Verknüpfung von Gegenwart und Vergangenheit hat die Autorin wirklich toll hingekriegt.
Ich sage vielleicht vorweg, dass es sich bei diesem Buch um eine Liebesgeschichte handelt, und man ahnt als Leser, worauf es hinauslaufen wird, dennoch aber hat mich die Autorin packen und fesseln können – und das lag vor allem an ihrem bildhaften Schreibstil, der angenehm zu lesen ist und viele Bilder vor meinem inneren Auge hat entstehen lassen. Mit farbenkräftigen Beschreibungen, die aber nie langatmig sondern - ganz im Gegenteil - lebendig sind und voller Energie stecken, hat sie mich in eine andere Welt entführen können. Oft ist die Atmosphäre magisch und prächtig, dann aber auch wieder melancholisch und bedrückend – und trotzdem hat bei mir am Ende das gute Gefühl im Bauch alles überwogen.
Die Charaktere sind gut ausgearbeitet und machen interessante Entwicklungen durch. Stella, die Protagonistin war mir von Anfang an sympathisch, auch wenn man zunächst nicht ahnt, was sich in ihrer Vergangenheit so schlimmes zugetragen hat und warum sie scheut, ihre Heimat zu besuchen. Nicht immer konnte ich ihre Handlungen verstehen und manches fand ich auch ein wenig unglaubwürdig – aber gerade in der Vergangenheit habe ich mit Stella sehr gefiebert und gelitten. Als Figur interessanter fand ich aber Stellas Vater William und die Beziehung zu seiner Frau: hier zeigt sich nicht nur, wie in den 60er Jahren Beziehungen gelebt wurden, sondern auch, was daraus entstehen kann – und dass aufrichtige Worte zur richtigen Zeit manches wirklich ändern können.
Auch wenn ich geahnt habe, was weiter geschehen wird und wie die Geschichte ausgeht, war ich gefesselt und konnte das Buch nicht aus der Hand legen. Ich habe die Lektüre sehr genossen und gebe daher gerne 5/5 Sternen.

Mein Fazit
Eine berührende Liebesgeschichte, die mich von der ersten Seite an gefangen genommen hat und mich durch den bildreichen Schreibstil und die Farbenpracht der Kulisse wirklich überzeugen konnte. Auch wenn die Geschichte im groben vorhersehbar ist, haben mich einige Wendungen doch überrascht. Vor allem die Charaktere haben mich überzeugt, weil sie gut gestaltet sind und interessante Entwicklungen durchmachen. Die Atmosphäre im Buch ist immer sehr intensiv und hat eine große Bandbreite - von romantisch-verliebt bis bedrückend–melancholisch. Am Schluss aber überwiegen ein gutes Gefühl im Bauch und die Freude an diesem berührenden Buch.

[Mafi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Não gostei deste livro e estou desiludida, pensava que ia ser uma boa leitura mas tal não aconteceu, não consegui gostar das personagens, nem da própria protagonista, não gostei do romance não gostei da história, muito dramática e o fim...soube a pouco! Graças a deus que trouxe o livro da biblioteca..fiquei mesmo triste por não gostar pois estava entuasiasmada com a leitura, mas realmente não alcançou as minhas expectativas.

Como disse não gostei das personagem, principalmente do william é sempre tudo à maneira dele, meu deus que exagero a mulher e a filha nao podem fazer nada, mas pronto naquela época, as mulheres tinham de obedecer aos maridos..mesmo assim acho que podiam ser um bocadinho mais corajosas, enfrentá-lo se bem que a Stella fez isso e deu no que deu.
O Zeph, não gostei muito dele, não houve asism muito romance, não senti que ele gostasse assim muito dela..vamos lá ver se ele sempre regressa.

A Grace pronto faz tudo o que o marido manda mas sente-se qe sofre com isso que queria que as coisas fossem diferentes que a Stella tivesse outra vida, e gostei quando ela encoraja a filha a tomar as suas próprias decisões apesar de ela não seguir os conselhos que dá à filha.

No fim, devido ao que aconteceu foi uma libertação para mãe e filha mas acho que ambas perderam muito com a autoriedade do pai e a autora podia ter mostrado mais esta nova vida que a Grace e a Stella começaram.

Não lerei mais nada da autora. *risca da lista de livros a ler*

[Hilsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A novel that I truly loved....the story of Stella, the main character, is gripping and highly charged emotionally. Her dilemmas as a young girl making choices that were so hard, and sad, and which would have life impacting ramifications for her, which we know as the reader...were all so real, raw, and so well written. I was transported back to remember my first loves, early boyfriends, the power of family, rules and regulations, and the way young love makes you feel you transcend sometimes, everything else! Powerful book and again, you won't be putting it down! NOTE: Make sure you get the Penguin Australia edition (the most recent versions with a picture of a lady looking at the sea on the cover)as for some unknown reason, Pan McMillan, the first Australian publisher chose not to print the book's epilogue even though the versions sold to Europe with other publishers at the time had it. Thankfully, when it was re-printed later by Penguin Australia (the author's new publisher) the epilogue was included - and it's just so brilliantly done, providing just that little chink into the future of the characters; something that all readers crave.

[Kylie H · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book set in Tasmania. It took me a little while to get into it, but I then found it hard to put down. Some very strange family dynamics at play in this - which are never fully explained. Teenage love and adult heart break.
definitely worth reading.

[Mιss •kαthєяίиє• Τhε Emεrαℓd Pяίиcεss® · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've read without paranormal characters

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Made me cry - must be good!

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved this book!!! I'm planning on reading more of Katherine Scholes books.

[Cate Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bit slow to get started but once I was into it I found it full of emotions swinging from young love to hatred to disbelief to regret at times lost. Loved it.

[Leslie Frost · Rating 5 out of 5]

My second favourite books. The 'sense of place', sense of loss and recovery - all great aspects of this story. One scene that is so vividly told that it lives in my imagination years later.

[Penny McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book set in Tasmania. I couldn't put it down and friends I have leant it to said the same. A truly enjoyable read.

[Jo Mcelvenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful read!

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have attempted to read this book twice. The first time I gave up at Chapter 3, dismissing it as breathless chick-lit style. But as Scholes is an international best-seller, and I had read and really got into The Beautiful Mother, I thought I would give Angel another go. The plot is indeed formulaic chick lit, the characters mostly stereotypical. What have we got? Domineering rigid father, beautiful 16 year old daughter, destined by both sets of parents to marry boy next door but exotic Handsome Stranger appears, inevitable happens, daughter self-exiles to gay uncle, she becomes a fearless reporter in dangerous countries, but fisherman father disappears in a storm, she returns home after 15 years … and all (except Dad) live happily ever after. I’ll leave the plot gaps, most are predictable anyway, as are the back up characters: the hard as nails bushie with a heart of gold, likewise the cop. Scholes has a template of stock characters: the beautiful young woman who overcomes the odds (Essie, Stella), the older woman who is coping but becomes severely traumatized, near death, but recovers under stress to become a properly functioning person (Julia, Grace), the hard, super rigid senior male who mucks things up when insisting only he knows what to do (William, Ian), the handsome stranger (the photographer, Zeph), and so it goes. The difference is that in Mother there is a complex and intensely interesting context, the theme of mother love extending across such different cultures, and it is based on fascinating research. Mother I can take very seriously, Angel I can’t. It would be interesting to test this out on more of Scholes’ book but somehow I don’t think I will – unless some kind Goodreads reader suggest what of Scholes to read next.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading Katherine Scholes on the recommendation of a friend and I am so glad I did. The Stone Angel is the third book I have read by this author, and I loved it with a passion--so much so that I stayed up way past my bedtime to read that elusive 'just one more chapter'.
Ms Scholes paints vivid pictures in all of her scenes. The narrative ebbs and flows in such a natural way that it carries you along with it. It makes you think, ponder, and imagine. Sometimes, it makes you cry, and sometimes it makes you regret those times in your life when a choice beyond your control changed your life as you imagined it may otherwise be.
The characters are richly written and believable. Grace, who would bake and cook out of her hand-written recipe book when life became too hard, Stella with her contained persona and love of solitude, and William, who did what he thought was right at the time. And what can I say about Zeph? Loved him. I lived on a yacht for a while in my early twenties, and as I floated through the pages of this wonderful book, I could taste the sea, hear the rigging ding against the mast, and touch the rich teak of the deck.
If you want a novel to take you away to a place you may not normally go, in this instance Tasmania, The Stone Angel won't disappoint. I have read many books so far this year and it is one of the best. I can't wait for the movie - if there ever is one.

[Demetra · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Ο πέτρινος άγγελος" είναι ένα βιβλίο που χαρίζει στον αναγνώστη πολλές συγκινητικές στιγμές και δίνει σπουδαία μαθήματα ζωής. Η γραφή της Katherine Scholes καταφέρνει να δημιουργήσει στον αναγνώστη εικόνες από τα γεγονότα που διαδραματίζονται στην Τασμανία αλλά και σε άλλα μέρη του κόσμου που βρίσκεται κάθε φορά η πρωταγωνίστρια.
Ένα βιβλίο που μπήκε στην καρδιά μου απρόσμενα.

"Οι άνθρωποι είναι πάντα πιο δυνατοί απ' όσο δείχνουν. Συχνά, ξαφνιάζουν ακόμα και τον εαυτό τους".

[Sarah Truckell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. Stella grew up in Tasmania but left 15 years ago to escape her controlling father and a sad event that happened. She’s a successful journalist who reports from all over the world. A great n urgent fax arrives calling her home as her fisherman father has been reported missing at sea. The story fluctuates between 1975 and the events leading up to Stella leaving and the current day and her return. Well written. Very sad in places

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read, and fairly predictable plot, particularly the ending. I enjoyed the novel though. Well drawn, realistic characters. Excellent descriptions of the environment and the food. Credible plot.

[Rachael Brain · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful introduction to a new author for me! The stone angel had everything I crave from a book. Her descriptive writing illustrates scenes and characters beautifully, the storyline depicts sadness, drama and conclusions intertwined with a true knowledge of Tasmania.

[Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Patchy novel, some aspects I enjoyed, but there were elements so out of kilter that I couldn’t suspend my disbelief. Mainly, chuck a 2 bowl sink in and a coupla stainless steel benches, a bottle of home made wine, and you’ve got a café. Maybe not.

[Myshelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book from Katherine Scholes

[Man.Marianthi · Rating 2 out of 5]

i didnt like this book. I consider that the greek summary is completly diference than the plot. I expected to be more interesting about her father disappearance.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautiful story set in a quiet fishing village in Tasmania. Many family secrets unfold slowly throughout an emotional story of love, loss, lies and fate.