The Stone Bull Author:Phyllis A. Whitney From Forward: One of the questions most frequently asked of a writer is whether "real people" have been used in a story. In my case the answer is an immediate and unequivocal "no." My interest as a novelist lies in creating my own characters and the incidents that happen in a story. However, real places ofter furnish me with the inspiration that... more » leads to an imaginary background and totally imaginary characters.
The marvelously beautiful and romantic Mohonk Mountain House in the Shawangunk Mountains on the edge of the Catskills provided an inspiration for the setting of The Stone Bull. None of the dire happenings in this story ever occurred at the real Mohonk, of course, which is a lovely and entirely safe place for any visitor.
I would like to thank the management of Mohonk Mountain House for its hospitality and assistance during my visit. In particular I want to thank Ruth Smiley, Rosalie and Dan Wilson, Mary Whitefield, and Jay Davis. My thanks as well to Diane Greenberg, who told me about those "whispering voices" on the lake, and to Frank Lyons, who kindly drove me all over the Mohonk acres in his truck. None of these people bears any resemblance to the imaginary characters in my story. -Phyllis A. Whitney« less
She came across the stone bull and the shadows began to gather. Dark, ominous, they whispered of Ariel, of guilt and danger, threatening the very foundation of life.