|
Post by Claire on May 3, 2013 11:35:51 GMT 1
Just a quick note, it's no longer acceptable in the UK to use mentally retarded - we have to use 'has learning difficulties!' Obviously its not the same in the US. Just thought I'd add this in case anyone gets a bit hot under the collar about the term (altho I think the regulars here are all too sensible).
|
|
|
Post by rallycairn on May 3, 2013 13:30:39 GMT 1
It's really not used here any more, either, Claire -- I should have used developmentally challenged as LD really wouldn't fit the broad-spectrum type issues the characters had. You're right; I should have been more sensitive, but I reverted to the terms used when the books were written.
|
|
|
Post by rallycairn on May 3, 2013 13:37:52 GMT 1
vera: "He has finally grown out of eating books" lololol very funny the dry way you slipped that in at the end! Good for Bruno for maturing out of that juvenile book-eating habit!
|
|
|
Post by Claire on May 3, 2013 13:49:16 GMT 1
Don't worry about it rallycairn. I just had to put my moderator's hat on for a mo just in case anyone reading was offended. We are an extremely (sometimes ridiculously) PC nation over here!
|
|
|
Post by Claire on May 3, 2013 13:50:27 GMT 1
vera: "He has finally grown out of eating books" lololol very funny the dry way you slipped that in at the end! Good for Bruno for maturing out of that juvenile book-eating habit! At least he didn't have the weeing on books habit my cat did!
|
|
|
Post by susanb on May 3, 2013 13:56:23 GMT 1
It's not acceptable in the US either, now, but it was the correct term at the time the book was written, and that's the term that is used in the book, so that's what I used in the review.
I think any term you use to describe a disability, unfortunately, over the course of time gets turned into a slur by people who should know better.
|
|
|
Post by darkhorse on May 3, 2013 21:23:36 GMT 1
I didn't have time to read an American book, but thanks for everyone's reviews as I now have made a resolution to read more of them, and this has given me some recommendations!
|
|
|
Post by haffyfan on May 6, 2013 19:12:05 GMT 1
I think i have just about scraped in on this by the skin of my teeth!
Crofton Meadows By Joan Houston
Before Chestnut Hill and canterwood whatever were little book embryos there was another exclusive boarding school for Girls where riding was most definitely on the menu! Enter Crofton Meadows, quite unusual, I'm led to believe for an American book of this era to be a school story with horses but I'm afraid to say it has all the ingredients of it's modern day counterparts.
Our heroine, daughter of the farm manager and only at the school on a scholarship, the [we're led to believe] very rich new girl, from an amazing family who of course just happens to be the most fantastic rider to boot and the filly coveted by both girls [naturally] who leads to an on/off friendship which descends into rivalry, chuck in a subtle love interest as well and there you have it!
It was in fairness well written and readable but you kinda knew the new girl would get Sheila's filly and that it would all work out in the end.
I'd rate it 3/5, glad it was a lucky cheap find (less than £4 inc international postage) as I'd have definitely been disappointed to pay through the nose for it.
|
|
|
Post by haffyfan on May 6, 2013 19:12:42 GMT 1
sorry didn't realise there was six ratings, i rated it good so 4/6
|
|
|
Post by Claire on Jun 6, 2013 22:57:26 GMT 1
Well I finally got round to reading the 'sequel' to Big Jump for Robin, Harlequin Horse. Susan said I would prob like it better and I did. Wendy seems a more sympathetic character than Robin. Robin comes across as a bit of a know-all in this instalment but she's much more in the background. Defo a bit more depth and seriousness in this one, with a girl having some sort of nervous breakdown! There was also the issue of the grandmother who I think may have been suffering from depression until she became interested in Harley and had something to occupy her. But despite a couple of serious issues, it was still a very upbeat story. I was a little concerned that Wendy and Robin seemed a bit gold-diggerish esp as the horse had a lot of health probs but other than that enjoyed this one.
|
|