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Summary: You must buy this book
Review: This is by far the best book I have read in many years. The early prose is a bit awkward, but the intriguing story of Listener compelled me to read the entire 800+ page novel. It was interesting that the prose mirrored Listener's growth in that as his mind became more complex, so did the prose. I also found something I had not expected. A spiritual center which forced me to think and even grow. (a difficult task as those who know me would attest). It is no fluke that every single review of this novel which I have ever read has been 5 out of five stars(Have you ever seen such a concensus in an internet forum?). A truly great novel.
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Summary: My Favorite Book
Review: This is my favorite book. The only thing that I can say to prove how good it is, is that I was reading it in my living room, and when I put it down, I wasn't sure where I was for a few seconds. This happened in my living room in a house that I have lived in for 17 years. If this book isn't good, than I don't know what is.
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Summary: The Stone and the Flute
Review: This is my favorite fantasy book. It is a journey of a young man, named Listener, as he discovers the meaning of life and searches for the meaning of his magical stone. A fantastic and malevolent story you will remember for the rest of your life. Some things that I found captivating were Listener's attempt at reparation (voluntarily becoming a slave) for having had another persons tongue cut off, and also his mutating thought process when he was partially changed into an animal. His thoughts became so convincing that you become animalistic yourself; he just didn't understand for a time during this predicament. Hans Bemmann is a master at drawing the reader into the story to a different reality, yet believable because you are there. While Listener didn't accomplish everything he set out to do, the reader discovers that the journey and peace of mind is the important part. You also experience a lifetime with Listener. The book starts with his birth and ends with his death. It is rich with folklore and tradition, love and loss, greed and selflessness, and human prejudices and vices. It also makes you want to learn how to play the flute. It is fairly long, but well worth it.
Rating: 
Summary: The Stone and the Flute
Review: This is one of my favorite books of all time. I thing this is a must read book. This book is about a Indian that wants just peace on earth. He sets off on a journey looking for his grandfather. On his way to find his grand father he encounters some cool things. I would recommend this book for any one who wants to read a very good book.
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Summary: THIS BOOK IS GOOD; I KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT
Review: This is one of my favorite fantasy books. It is a journey of a young man, named Listener, as he discovers the meaning of life and searches for the meaning of his magical stone. A fantastic and malevolent story you will remember for the rest of your life. Some things that I found captivating were Listener's attempt at reparation (voluntarily becoming a slave) for having had another persons tongue cut off, and also his mutating thought process when he was partially changed into an animal. His thoughts became so convincing that you become animalistic yourself; he just didn't understand for a time during this predicament. Hans Bemmann is a master at drawing the reader into the story to a different reality, yet believable because you are there. While Listener didn't accomplish everything he set out to do, the reader discovers that the journey and peace of mind is the important part. You also experience a lifetime with Listener. The book starts with his birth and ends with his death. It is rich with folklore and tradition, love and loss, greed and selflessness, and human prejudices and vices. It also makes you want to learn how to play the flute. It is fairly long, but well worth it.
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Summary: Fantasists Fantasy
Review: This is the most incredible fantasy book i have ever read. Ever read a book that changed your life/ I could honestly put this book on par with the Bible. Being more inclined to spiritualism than outright religion, books like these are shining epitomes of what modern literature should be like (but isn't). This books very childish naivete stands out against others of its ilk (The Farseer Trilogy or Wheel of Time). Anyone who has read it before probably knows what I mean- it's rich in plain, old fashioned symbolism, without the fleshy weight of mythological representation.
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Summary: An unsung masterpiece
Review: What can I tell you about this book? I find the fact that it is not as famous as Watership Down or the Lord of the Rings quite amazing. It has got a flavour of both, along with its own unique atmosphere, and is easily as good as either of those books.It is a tale that starts in a deceptively simple manner like the great English and Germanic fairytales of old. Throughout the story are woven threads of history, tales and mythology, but unlike the lofty and learned history of Lord of the Rings the history of this story is always intimate. There are so many meanings hidden in this book. Some of them are fairly obvious, but others lie deep and will need a re-reading to fully understand. Its a story I originally found slow to warm to, as it has an unusual writing style, but after the first 50 pages I was drawn in. In its later books, particularily the third, it had become a life changing book for me. The main character in this book is called Listener and he made many mistakes because he did not live up to his name. Don't make the same mistake. Pay attention and buy this book!
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Summary: So much like life, with applicable portions for everyone...
Review: When I read this book (checked out from my local library) when I was 10 years old, I thought that the characters and storyline were really great, very interesting and engaging, with fun (and sometimes scary) bits everywhere. It was an instant favorite for me, but other things caught my attention until... ...I was 15 when I re-read the book, and while I was still entertained by the story and characters, I began to see what was going on behind the scenes: the attraction of the stone and the symbolism thereof, the notion of power and control in the flute, and the almost stark duality of things in so many situations (the Riders and the "rest" of the world; the living and the Gray One; men and women; humans and animals; fear and courage; etc, etc, etc). It again became my favorite book. Again though, I became distracted with finishing high school, going to college, etc., until.... ...I found a first-edition of The Stone and the Flute online in good condition. I jumped at the chance to read my own copy when it arrived, and being older (around 19, I think), the full meaning of the story began to sink into me. I think I've read it once a year since then (about 5 years ago), and each time I marvel at the richness of the story and the intense parallels I find between it and my own life. And anytime I feel myself getting down, getting depressed with life in general, I simply read the last twenty pages or so, and usually find myself in higher spirits. It is a very uplifting yet grounding book that feels like it has a balancing effect upon one's outlook and mood. An "editorial review" from Publisher's Weekly calls The Stone and the Flute a "would - be German Lord of the Rings" that has "simple messages of brotherhood and ecology". I could not disagree more. I think that this book actually has far more character depth and development than Lord of the Rings has, mostly due to the each books' respective purpose: LOR was written to be a mythology (or the background to one), whereas the Stone and the Flute has a less grand yet no less worthy purpose to follow a boy/man through life, exposing his doubts, mistakes, strengths, faults, and ultimately, his humanity. Both books are wonderful reads, but neither is better or worse than the other; they're completely different in style, substance, and experience...
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Summary: it might change the way you look at life...very heartening
Review: Words cannot really explain how powerful and profound the message(s) are in this book, and how talented and inspired the author must be to craft the story to seem so simple yet have such an impact. Simply put, get the book and read it. I cannot imgine any thoughtful reader finding it dissapointing.
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