Speaking Stone - Stories Cemeteries Tell

The Speaking Stone: Stories Cemeteries Tell is a literary love letter to the joys of wandering graveyards, featuring essays by Michael Griffith that uncover stories of race, feminism, art, and death. Griffith stays true to the principle of ramble and incidental discovery, resulting in an eclectic group of subjects and nearly ninety photos that add dimension and playfulness. The book examines what endures and what does not, reflecting on the vanity and poignancy of our attempt to leave monuments that last.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 326 pages
Publication date: 15 April 2021
Publisher: University of Cincinnati Press

The Speaking Stone: Stories Cemeteries Tell is a captivating literary exploration of the enchantment of wandering through graveyards. As author and Cincinnati resident Michael Griffith delves into his novel, he embarks on a series of almost daily visits to Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum, the third-largest cemetery in the nation. Guided by curiosity and chance encounters, Griffith's journey unfolds into a fascinating collection of essays that emerge from chance encounters with intriguing headstones, peculiar epitaphs, unusual names, and quirks of memory.

Through meticulous research in obituaries, newspaper clippings, and family legacies, Griffith uncovers a rich tapestry of stories, spanning various themes such as race, feminism, art, and death. Rather than solely focusing on the cemeteries most famous or infamous graves, Griffith adheres to the principle of ramble and incidental discovery, resulting in an eclectic group of subjects that includes well-known figures like feminist icon and freethinker Fanny Wright, as well as lesser-known individuals such as a spiritual medium, a temperance advocate, and a young heiress who met a mysterious end. Nearly ninety photographs accompany the essays, adding depth and often a playful touch to the narrative.

The Speaking Stone delves into the enduring and ephemeral aspects of human existence, reflecting on the vanity and poignancy of our attempts to leave lasting monuments. Through its intricate weaving of connections, the book beautifully showcases the inquisitive mind of the storyteller and invites readers to explore the depths of human history and the mysteries that lie within the graveyards of our past.

Weight: 384g
Dimension: 158 x 228 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781947602304