When the Stones Held
By David E. Owen
Publisher: Independently Published
Print Length: 331 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
When The Stones Held is an unforgettable historical novel inspired by the true story of William Edwards, the self taught Welsh stonemason who built one of the greatest bridges of the eighteenth century.
Born into poverty in the remote valleys of South Wales, William grows up in a world shaped by hard labour, dangerous rivers, and communities struggling to survive. Education is rare. Opportunity is rarer still. Yet from childhood, William becomes fascinated by stone, by balance, and by the dream of building something that will outlive him.
As the coal trade begins transforming Wales and merchants demand safer routes through the valleys, William sets himself an impossible task, to build a bridge across the fierce River Taff where others have failed. Floods destroy his work. Rivals mock him. Powerful men try to break him. Each collapse threatens his reputation, his livelihood, and the people he loves.
Set against the harsh beauty of eighteenth century Wales, When The Stones Held is a story of ambition, resilience, love, grief, and determination. It brings to life the people, language, and struggles of a forgotten world while telling the remarkable true story behind the bridge that gave birth to the town of Pontypridd.
Perfect for readers who enjoy rich historical fiction, Welsh history, and stories of ordinary people achieving extraordinary things.
Review
I was interested in When the Stones Held because I knew absolutely nothing about William Edwards before joining this blog tour. I had certainly never stopped to wonder who had built the Old Bridge at Pontypridd, and I liked the idea of discovering the story behind something that has survived for centuries.
One part of the novel I particularly enjoyed was seeing William gradually earn a reputation for himself. He begins with small jobs, repairing walls and farm buildings for people who are not always willing to pay him what his work is worth. At first he is simply Edward Edwards's boy, but eventually people begin calling him "William the Mason." It is only a small change in name, but by that point in the story it feels important because he has earned it.
I also found the changing Welsh valleys fascinating. William's life unfolds at a time when coal and trade are beginning to alter the world around him. Roads and safe river crossings are becoming increasingly important, so his bridges aren't being built simply because William wants to prove that he can build them. There is a genuine need for what he can do.
Something else I hadn't expected was the importance of religion. William's faith and his connection to the chapel become a significant part of his life, but the book also explores the difference between faith and the power people sometimes try to exercise through it. I found the later scenes involving Rhys Price and the chapel particularly satisfying, especially when the congregation finally makes its feelings very clear.
There is also a lovely sense that William's achievements belong partly to the community around him. People work alongside him, watch the bridges taking shape and eventually use them as part of their everyday lives. One of my favourite sections comes when a completed bridge is simply being crossed by carts, riders and flocks of sheep. Something William has struggled so hard to create has become completely ordinary to everyone else, which is really the point.
I signed up for a novel about a historical bridge builder, but I ended up enjoying the wider picture just as much: a changing Wales, the importance of community and one working man's gradual journey from being someone's poor son to being known for his own skill.
I'm very glad I joined the tour.
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