- Paperback: 252 pages
- Publisher: Front Street; Reprint edition (Aug 9 2004)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 188691074X
- ISBN-13: 978-1886910744
- Product Dimensions: 20.8 x 13.5 x 1.8 cm
- Shipping Weight: 295 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #529,601 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
Move the location half the world away and 1200 years in the future, substitute the elephants with horses and half of the characters with cowboys, and this sprawling saga set in seventh-century India could be a classic western. Here are knaves and fools, bullying officers and poetic tenderfoots; a wise, crusty old cowpoke?er, mahout; even a heroic steed (elephant) for the protagonist to kiss on its noble brow. Arjun, 14, is journeying to the city of Kashi to continue his Brahman studies when dacoits (bandits) attack his caravan, kill his uncle and seize his mute sister Gauri to sell her into slavery. While trailing Gauri, Arjun, too, is captured, then sold into the army. Thus begin his peregrinations throughout India, first as an infantry grunt, then archer, mahout, famous warrior, prisoner of war, slave, spiritual seeker and finally esteemed temple stonecarver. At times the narrative gets mired down in dry exposition, and the myriad of characters, Indian deities and words can be confusing, but for the most part Bosse (The Examination) keeps the pace up and the goings-on absorbing. Throughout he brings to life a faraway place and time with a glittering panoply of detail, sure to fascinate readers with a taste for the exotic. Ages 10-up.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 6-9?Set in the seventh century, this novel is filled with the local color and mores of rural India. Arjun, 14, and his younger sister are traveling to the city when their caravan is attacked by bandits and they are separated. Arjun is sold into the army, and from then on the story is about his survival, his search for his sister, and his travels from one experience and opportunity to the next. Born into the Brahmin class, the boy loses this privilege when he is captured and sold, and must learn much about humility and prejudice. He is instructed in the care and training of elephants, becomes a mahout and a legendary warrior, is wounded in battle, and again taken prisoner, this time becoming a stone carver. Bosse is a master of description and historical detail, and gives the story a remarkable sense of contemporary reality even though it is set many centuries ago. The plot covers several years of Arjun's life, portraying him as a young man who has learned much and achieved more than he ever imagined that day when he set out on the caravan. The text is filled with vivid battle scenes; charged emotions; and strong characters, both human and elephant. A satisfying coming-of-age story.?Nancy E. Zuwiyya, Binghamton High School, NY
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting fiction for avid YA readers.,
By A Customer
This review is from: Tusk And Stone (Paperback)
What I found most interesting in this title was the relationship of young Arjun to the elephant he trained and rode into battle. Admittedly, I know little of seventh-century India, and cannot vouch for historical accuracy, but this was an interesting book in time and place. I also enjoyed Arjun's coming to maturity through hardships and valor. For 12 years and up who enjoy reading about faraway places and long-ago lives.
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
4.0 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews) 6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Tough and Strong,
A Kid's Review - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Tusk and Stone (Paperback)
The book, Tusk and Stone, written by Malcolm Bosse, is, overall, a good story. As the main character is forced to travel all throughout seventh-century India, you learn about the country's many cultures. The story teaches you how to be strong during hard times in life. I would recommend this novel to just about everyone.It took me a while to really get into the story, though. The beginning was depressing because there was much struggle and nothing seemed to be going right for the main character, Arjun, a young man in the high-ranking Brahmin class. First, his caravan is attacked and the attackers kill his uncle and kidnap his sister while Arjun is exploring the nearby woods. Then, while trying to track down his sister, Arjun is drugged and sold to the army by a man he meets along the way. As you can see, there are not many happy parts in the beginning of the story. But you just want to keep reading to find out if Arjun's life improves. The second half of Tusk and Stone is when Arjun's life, and the book, start improving because of his positive atittude. For example, "Arjun's willingness to accept his lot impressed the sergeant. He decided to give this young recruit a chance to do more..." Afterwards, Arjun becomes a great mahout, an elephant trainer and rider in the army. Although there were a few sad parts in the second half of the book, I must say it is a lot better than the first. I really admired Arjun. He accepted all of the bad things that happened to him, but never lost hope. The boy's rank in the Indian culture was always twisting and turning. Even though fate was constantly pushing Arjun into lower classes, the young man's positive outlook on life and hard work eventually helped him to increase his rank and status. Overall, Tusk and Stone is quite enjoyable and readers of all ages would be able to learn about the traditional Indian culture from it. The story also shows that by being strong in life and not giving up, you can continue on during rough times. You just need to get through the first half of the book. 4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting fiction for avid YA readers.,
By A Customer - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Tusk And Stone (Paperback)
What I found most interesting in this title was the relationship of young Arjun to the elephant he trained and rode into battle. Admittedly, I know little of seventh-century India, and cannot vouch for historical accuracy, but this was an interesting book in time and place. I also enjoyed Arjun's coming to maturity through hardships and valor. For 12 years and up who enjoy reading about faraway places and long-ago lives.
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