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Ken Follett Releases 'Stonehenge' Novel Reimagining the Monument's Origins

Follett emphasizes a historian-vetted research routine behind a fictional reconstruction he labels conjecture.

Overview

  • The new book, titled "Stonehenge – Die Kathedrale der Zeit" ("Circle of Days"), imagines communities hauling massive stones across southern England 4,500 years ago to raise a great circle.
  • Follett says he spends six to twelve months gathering material, distills it into an approximately 50-page exposé, and has history professors review it before drafting.
  • He outlines a pace-first technique with frequent plot turns every four to six pages and about 50 dramatic scenes written in short, direct prose.
  • He cautions that his interpretation of Stonehenge remains speculative, saying he assumes a religious pilgrimage role because it "feels like it," not as archaeological proof.
  • Coverage highlights his commercial reach—over 190 million copies sold across nearly 40 novels—and the recurring split between fans praising readability and critics calling the approach formulaic.