|
|
Post by Claire on Aug 28, 2013 10:03:21 GMT 1
Our next selection will be The Hermit's Horse by DPT  Discussion will start in about 2 weeks time when I will also add poll. If you don't already have a copy they are very cheap on Amazon, ebay etc in the UK. Not sure about the USA/Aussie situation. I can lend someone a copy (but won't be able to post til after 7th Sept). If anyone needs to borrow one or has a copy they can lend please post here. NB - Crikey that's a pretty awful cover, those kids have got longer manes than the horse! The hardback reprint is a little better, tho still no great shakes. Anyone got a pic of that edition? |
|
allyk
Pony Clubber
Posts: 184
|
Post by allyk on Aug 28, 2013 14:46:02 GMT 1
|
|
|
|
Post by fizz on Aug 29, 2013 23:09:51 GMT 1
I can lend someone this book, but I don't want to lose it....gives a clue about it!
|
|
allyk
Pony Clubber
Posts: 184
|
Post by allyk on Aug 30, 2013 2:04:21 GMT 1
There are 0 libraries in the US with copies. But there are cheap copies on abebooks and amazon. |
|
|
|
Post by Claire on Aug 30, 2013 14:33:36 GMT 1
Sometimes USA sellers sell on UK Amazon and only charge the UK postage rate so possibly USA Amazon is the same, altho of course could take a few days to arrive.
|
|
|
|
Post by Claire on Sept 8, 2013 11:43:26 GMT 1
Just a reminder about this month's reading circle book. Does anyone need to borrow a copy?
|
|
|
|
Post by Claire on Sept 10, 2013 15:20:21 GMT 1
Added poll. Thats not as easy as it used to be either and there appears to be no option for allowing voters to retract votes. However in doing so I have found the 2nd improvement the upgrade has provided - you can now delete a poll if you have made a mistake. Looks like you still can't edit it tho.
Can we have a 'show of hands' of the folk who are joining in with this one/if you have started yet and if there is anyone who needs to lend a copy - just so I can work out when to start the discussion.
|
|
|
|
Post by fizz on Sept 10, 2013 17:45:58 GMT 1
I will join in.Know it very well but might re-read. I can lend a copy.
|
|
|
|
Post by kunuma on Sept 10, 2013 18:14:41 GMT 1
I've got this one so will join in - can't remember either liking it a lot , or hating it, will have to reread.
|
|
|
|
Post by kunuma on Sept 10, 2013 18:16:25 GMT 1
Fascinated by how they choose these cover pics, why a show bridle with a bit that doesn't fit?? But |I think the horse is at least the right colour isn't it? |
|
allyk
Pony Clubber
Posts: 184
|
Post by allyk on Sept 10, 2013 19:06:35 GMT 1
Fascinated by how they choose these cover pics, why a show bridle with a bit that doesn't fit?? But |I think the horse is at least the right colour isn't it? If it was the right color, it would be by the merest coincidence. One prominent author was talking about covers and how the first time he saw the cover for his next book was when someone in his forum posted a link to it. They never consulted him on it at all and it had only the barest relation to the plot at all (He wasn't even sure who one of the main characters on the cover was supposed to be!) What the publishers care about is 1) cheap and 2) advertising to the target audience. 1) Use a stock photo 2) Show a picture of a horse, that catches the attention of someone who might be interested in buying a horse book. Beyond that, they don't really care. |
|
|
|
Post by Claire on Sept 10, 2013 21:30:07 GMT 1
Yes from talking to authors I've found its really very hit and miss with covers. I think the Severn House reprints were just given stock pics from a photographic library and I don't think that many photographers know if a the tack is fitted correctly or not! What is more surprising in a way is that the photo is so badly composed and the horse has its eyes closed and is not looking remotely photogenic. There really are few very good covers with photos rather than illustrations.
|
|
|
|
Post by darkhorse on Sept 11, 2013 20:23:23 GMT 1
I have this book but I haven't got round to reading it yet so I will probably join in with this one. I agree both editions have pretty awful covers!
|
|
|
|
Post by brumby on Sept 12, 2013 3:44:09 GMT 1
I'm in, (don't really know what I'm in for! first time) The Hermit's Horse just arrived (I've got the same edition as you Claire) I know you are not supposed to judge a book by its cover but yuk! I hate photographic covers  Better start reading... |
|
|
|
Post by Claire on Sept 12, 2013 20:40:39 GMT 1
Enjoying this. Not a one I read as a child. Not sure how as it was published in the 1970s. Its a bit different from the normal pony story.
Lets say we'll start discussion in about 5-7 days time and anyone who hasn't read it by then can join in later when they are ready.
|
|
|
|
Post by kunuma on Sept 13, 2013 14:01:36 GMT 1
Reread this last night in a very critical mood as I was sulking 'cos I can't do calculus - it wasn't invented when I was in school and I'm really struggling with a fascinating course with too much maths in it!!
Even in a critical mood the first few paragraphs got me liking the book. I won't say too much but the storyline makes an interesting contrast with that of our last one Dream of Fair Horses.For prob the first and only time - I prefer the PT book!! I actually think it is one of Diana's best ones - when she is good I love her books, but she also has written books I absolutely hate!
The ending has parallels with the ending of DOFH, but I'm happy with this ending!
|
|
|
|
Post by Claire on Sept 15, 2013 13:38:27 GMT 1
but she also has written books I absolutely hate! The Secret Dog perchance....? Interesting comments about the ending. I look forward to talking about this more when we start the full discussion. Don't forget folks you can still join in with this one if you haven't already and there are a couple of spare copies around if anyone needs to borrow one. |
|
|
|
Post by kunuma on Sept 15, 2013 18:04:15 GMT 1
but she also has written books I absolutely hate! The Secret Dog perchance....? That would be the one I was thinking of! |
|
|
|
Post by Claire on Sept 18, 2013 14:41:43 GMT 1
SPOILERS BELOW
Hi all well I think I'll start the ball rolling with my views on the book. Feel free to join in whenever - and don't forget to vote!
I enjoyed this book and found it quite different to the normal horse story and quite thought provoking. The main interest for me was that of being different as opposed to conforming. I like the way that the children learn to think for themselves when they meet the Hermit and not listen to what other people say about him. Its interesting that when they use their friendship with the hermit to ingratiate themselves with the locals (and thus go over to the 'dark side' of conformity) they cause the robbery. Also it is shown that Matthew's new biology teacher who is far more eccentric that his predecessor is a very good influence on Matthew and helps him realise his potential at school. I wonder if this reflects DPT's mother's (Joanna Cannan) views as she really was quite against conformity and doing what is normal for the sake of it. However I do feel that DPT loses the thread a bit near the end of the book and that conformity sadly wins out.
The main problem I had with the book is due to my background in psychology - I found the pyschology of the Hermit all wrong. He obviously suffers from what we now call Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome due to his time in the war, with it being compounded by the loss of his wife and child and many of the symptoms the kids notice when they first know him reflects this. This is not madness but a neurosis (or anxiety disorder) - when he 'goes mad' after the show however he seems to be showing classic signs of paranoid schizophrenia (hearing voices etc). He would not have those symptoms with PTSS. Also psychologically the robbery would have had far more effect on him than the show would. I realise that most kids (and a lot of adults) reading the book wouldn't have a clue about these things but maybe a little more research into mental illness would have helped. I also feel the main problem with him 'going mad' is that it contradicts the first half of the book, where it was like the author was telling the reader that someone can be different and eccentric without being mad. But when she makes him mad after all its a disappointment and goes against everything the children have learnt about how it is OK to be different. Plus when the Hermit gets better and settles down we see all the signs of normality and conformity returning to his house and life. In the end you are left wondering what the author's views on conformity really are - or is she confused herself?
Be interested to hear what others think about these issues!
Kunuma - also interested to hear about your take on it re. the parallels with A Dream of Fair Horses and their endings.
One more thought - I think if this book was written today there would be much more emphasis on the possible peodophiliac side of things. There's a slight reference to it in the book but with modern society's obsession with it I think it would have coloured the story much more if written nowadays. In fact i am sure most people wouldn't let their kids spend hours with a strange old batchelor. It reminds me of the relationship between the old man in Enid Blyton's 'farm' series which we have talked about elsewhere. Obvously written in a more innocent thinking age!
Anyway despite my concerns about the book, its really well written, the characters and their relationships are very believable and it encourages children to actually think. I voted it very good.
|
|
|
|
Post by brumby on Sept 18, 2013 23:20:51 GMT 1
I also enjoyed this book although perhaps not as much as Kunuma and Claire. The beginning certainly got me interested, I seemed to lose some interest about halfway through and then gained interest towards the end. Although i must say I have been reflecting on this book a lot over the last few days (usually means its a good book when it stays with you)
Interesting comments Claire, I also thought he would be more traumatised by the robber event, although I think his sister explained he had agoraphobia and that is why the show had such an effect? Does this make sense to you? When you explain it from a psychology point of view it does make you wonder.
I did wonder about the peodophile aspect and I think you hit the nail on the head in this day and age parents would not allow this to happen, makes me sad to think how our lives have become so limited because we can't trust others, scary world!
I expected a bit more pony content, being from DP/T, maybe this is why I wasn't grabbed initially. Although I did enjoy the Frinkley Show and was extremely pleased that Caesar didn't have to complete the jump off, at least this wasn't the usual, Matthew competes in the jump off and wins and lives happily ever after.
This book certainly has more depth than many of the pony books i have read and the characters really developed as the story progressed, especially Matthew.
I did like the Hermit as he had a deep understanding and compassion for his animals.
For me its one of those books that the more I think about it the more I appreciate it, am wavering between good and very good.
|
|
|
|
Post by Claire on Sept 19, 2013 0:45:20 GMT 1
Yeah Brumby I agree it went a little flat in the middle. I think it would have worked better if the show and the robbery had been swapped over in terms of when they took place. Then the robbery would have been the climatic event which I feel it should have been, rather than the show. There was a sense of impending doom all the way up to the robbery as you just knew the kids were going to blab about his antiques and someone would try and pinch them. But things just seem to fizzle out a bit after that.
As for the agoraphobia explanation, I still don't buy it. Forcing an agoraphobic to go out would not bring on a psychosis, it would probably give him an acute panic attack and possibly might even help him afterwards (facing up to phobias is a treatment in behavioural therapy, its usually done in a graduated way but there is a technique called flooding which is more drastic). I also fund the 'treatment' of the Hermit's insanity quite laughable. But I'm probably being a tad picky here. I just feel that the part of the book where Diana seems to be castigating the villagers for labelling the Hermit mad when they dont know anything about madness becomes a bit hypocritical when she later does it herself!
|
|
|
|
Post by darkhorse on Sept 20, 2013 14:47:59 GMT 1
I enjoyed this one. It's the first reading or it and I found it quite interesting and different from Diana's usual books. Like Brumby, I liked the Hermit and also Matthew was an interesting and in depth character. I agree there could have been a bit more horse content and the end went a bit flat. I thought Matthew and Sophie would be given Caesar after the Hermit got married. They didn't really seem to miss him much and they only visited the Hermit and the animals once when they moved home even though he only lived 8 miles away. The psychological reading Claire gives the book goes over my head but I do agree that the madness at the end was a bit over the top and did contradict the earlier message about the Hermit just being an eccentric and a bit nervous rather than mad.
Sorry Kunuma I don't really see the parallel with A Dream of Fair Horses except for The Hermit being a mentor-type figure like Mr Ramsey and Matthew not getting Caesar in the end and moving onto pastures new. Is that what you mean?
|
|
|
|
Post by Claire on Sept 20, 2013 20:53:25 GMT 1
Something I forgot to add - does anyone else find the parents quite selfish and irresponsible in having another baby when the mother could barely cope with the kids she already had? I felt sorry for Sophie and Matthew as they didn't get very much attention from their parents most of the time and the Hermit was obviously a substitute parent figure. I thought Matthew was quite justified in being angry when he found out another baby was on the way.
|
|
|
|
Post by kunuma on Sept 20, 2013 21:22:36 GMT 1
Well I think it was that the horse was owned in each case by an elderly man with health problems who was a bit of a recluse as a result - and that it was ridden to victory by total beginners who had just happened to find it in a field (while trespassing!)and fall for it.Then the whole family background of too many children and uninterested parents as a result enabling them to do lots with the horse regardless of opinion. The fact that they were initially frightened of the owner but came to know him because of their shared love of the horse.
Then, yes the fact that they sort of suddenly decided to move on and lost interest - but an ending I would have hated would have had the horse jumping well again and sold on as a result. I loved that he got to retire with a donkey (though I'm no donkey fan due to the lungworm risk!)
I agree with Claire that the hermit went from being eccentric and anti social, traits which I approve of, to having serious problems- but which apparently can be totally cured by having a wife!!
|
|
|
|
Post by kunuma on Sept 20, 2013 21:30:24 GMT 1
Something I forgot to add - does anyone else find the parents quite selfish and irresponsible in having another baby when the mother could barely cope with the kids she already had? I felt sorry for Sophie and Matthew as they didn't get very much attention from their parents most of the time and the Hermit was obviously a substitute parent figure. I thought Matthew was quite justified in being angry when he found out another baby was on the way. I think the whole size of family thing - lots of children, only children, brother sister relationship etc comes up a lot in the PT books, I can never quite decide if they are for having multiple kids or not!! |
|
|
|
Post by haffyfan on Sept 20, 2013 21:33:56 GMT 1
Have we had a discussion about this book before Claire/anyone? I'm sure i read it purely for this purpose previously - can't say i'm wanting to go there agin i'm afraid. From what i recall it wasn't my cup of tea.
|
|
|
|
Post by Claire on Sept 21, 2013 9:32:42 GMT 1
I think we've discussed it briefly some time haffy, but this is the first time we've talked about it in depth. Yeah I can understand some people not really liking it, as its not your normal horse story.
Kunuma - you're right the PTs did seem to have a slight obsession with large families but like you still not sure whether they were pro or anti. I must say I always found reading about them fascinating, just having the one brother. But I am not sure I would have liked loads of siblings in RL.
|
|
|
|
Post by darkhorse on Sept 26, 2013 22:12:05 GMT 1
Thanks for the explanation Kunuma. I feel a bit dim now for not noticing all that!  I think the parents were nuts for having another child when they couldn't cope with the ones they had. I can't imagine having five, two is enough of a handful! But big families were more the norm back then, I suppose. |
|
|
|
Post by Claire on Sept 27, 2013 11:28:49 GMT 1
Fizz, did you get round to re-reading the book? I'd like to hear your views.
Also if you have read it don't forget to vote!
One last question - do you folks agree that this book is not as well known as most of her others and if so why, considering most of us seem to agree its pretty good?
|
|
|
|
Post by brumby on Sept 27, 2013 22:32:50 GMT 1
I wonder if its because its not so pony oriented? I must admit I had never heard of it before the reading circle. Or is it because of the ghastly covers  |
|
Better start reading...
