At the heart of the Bluestone Woodland stands a sacred apple tree, anchoring the Old Man’s acreage. Amid ecological collapse, the white-faced Yearling and her mother, the Elder Doe, face the threat of the Man with the Crooked Finger. Seeking refuge in the North Territory, they confront violence, transformation, and the inevitable junction where sentience bends toward destruction.
BLUESTONE FOLKLORE is a gothic tale of nature, sacrifice, and the meaning of eternity.
“Stoddard expertly entwines religious symbolism and nature in this haunting, artistic debut. The narrative’s layered allegory and biblical themes create a richly complex world, where sacred animals and empathetic humans navigate a gripping tale of survival and redemption.”
“Stoddard understands that animals grieve through motion and memory, not words. These passages recall the precision of Jane Smiley’s animal writing: the delicate balance between observation and empathy.”