|
Post by tintin on Sept 14, 2012 15:16:45 GMT 1
This is a delightful book which I am very grateful to Claire for recommending. It rings true to the horse world I was on the fringes of 20 odd years ago. Eccentric, but highly capable and committed, people produce immaculate horses and riders out of the most chaotic and decrepit tucked away rural premises, often very slightly on the edge of disaster. Caroline, the main character (auto-biographical?) visits her relatives’ yard. They are showing people and all more than slightly bonkers, but very persuasive. Recognisable types from the showing world are featured – an alcoholic instructor, a clueless enthusiast determinedly chasing success and a “kit snob” who festoons his horse with more and more stuff. Each of them, however, is drawn in such a way that they are individuals rather than ciphers. The basic plot is that Caroline’s relatives inveigle her into showing a hunter side saddle, which she has never done before (they only really want to do this as the side saddle is longer and will conceal the less than perfect parts of the horse’s back) The book is more character than plot driven, but triumph is seized from the jaws of disaster and there is a very good sub-plot featuring a socieopathic horse which they are trying to sell. The only thing wrong with this book is that it is very short. It is a shame the two companion volumes are so horribly expensive. Attachments:
|
|
|
Post by Claire on Sept 14, 2012 18:45:39 GMT 1
Good review! This must be one of the funniest horse stories around and as the author was intimately involved with the world of showing herself this explains why it runs very true. (Anyone who is interested in this side should read Caroline Akrill's non-fictional book Not Quite A Horsewoman) I just love all the characters who are gloriously eccentric. As I come from a long line of eccentrics I feel right at home with them! And Benjamin is just one of my favourite pony characters ever. He reminds me of an evil pony called Charlie I used to ride in the far distant days of my youth Yes its a pity the other 2 books in the trilogy are rare. However they do tend to go thru cycles of expensiveness (I say with my bookseller hat on - this does seem to happen with nearly all rare books, except the mega rare ones) sadly very expensive at the mo, but a couple of years ago they were much cheaper and probably will go thru a cheaper phase soon. I do have scans of the others if anyone is interested. However this one is in my opinion the best of the three. Tintin if you like the characters in this one then you must read the author's eventing trilogy which has some equally bonkers characters in it. And those books are easy to find and cheap.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2012 18:54:38 GMT 1
I haven't read either of these yet!
I've read the eventing trilogy and agree about the bonkers characters ;D I really enjoyed that series.
|
|
|
Post by tintin on Oct 23, 2012 21:49:45 GMT 1
I read Eventing Trilogy years ago and it was really good. I have pencilled it in for a re-read over the Christmas holiday
|
|