What’s the Historical Novel Society?
The Historical Novel Society is the premier international body of people pursuing and promoting excellence in the realm of historical fiction. The HSN is composed of readers, authors, and historians, and Brock has been an author member for several years.
Founded in the UK about thirty years ago, there is also a North American branch, and an Australasian branch. The Australasian branch now boasts annual awards with a total purse of over $150,000—one of the premier literary prizes in the world today.
HSN review of The Stone Cutter
The Stone Cutter recently received a wonderful review by the HSN, which was just published in their August online magazine.
In brief, J. Lynn Else (the HSN reviewer) said: “Meier’s research provides a solid foundation, and his figurative language evokes emotion and sparks drama…Styled in epic fashion, the story deftly travels through early AD cultures. There is adventure, romance, meticulous historical detail, and a journey of faith which will entertain and intrigue a multitude of readers.“
Brock had to laugh, though, when she mentioned: “My only disappointment is the story of Yeshua’s resurrection and how he “appeared first to Kepha” (aka Peter), brushing aside the women who followed Yeshua and his appearance first to Mary Magdalene prior to the other disciples.”
Brock said: “Apparently, her disappointment was not actually with my story, but with Sha’ul (AKA Paul of Tarsus, or the Apostle Paul).”
In The Stone Cutter, Brock was merely quoting the historical record of Sha’ul’s own words about his conversion experience. Most of Sha’ul’s/Paul’s dialogue, in the few chapters in which he interacts with Nahor, is taken directly from Luke’s record of Paul’s words (in the work, The Acts of the Apostles) and Paul’s own extant letters to his friends scattered around the Mediterranean (a letter to the Galatians, and a letter to the Corinthians).
Using Primary Sources
Whenever Brock can find primary sources, especially when it comes directly from the pen of the subject, involving their own words, he loves to use the original thoughts in that character’s dialogue. He believes it gives a solid foundation of authenticity to the character. So the reviewer may have been disappointed in what Sha’ul related, but as Brock says, “Please don’t shoot me, I’m only the messenger!”