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Post by Claire on Feb 11, 2014 14:01:24 GMT 1
Hi all, this month a bonus reading circle book to accompany Sue's Circus Horse. Join in with either or both! I can't start this one yet as my copy is buried at the moment due to some of my books being in boxes while I am laying floors. Anyhow this is considered by some as possibly JMB's best, so let us know what you think.
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Post by tintin on Feb 20, 2014 14:27:36 GMT 1
Only up to page 20 and I am terrified already - after having introduced the characters and secured the property in about seven pages we have had most sorts of potential stable management disasters. I think the book is proceeding along the lines of if it can go wrong it will. I sense I will experience a fair bit of vicarious embarassment in this one. Oh dear bitten knuckles again
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Post by tintin on Feb 25, 2014 21:39:45 GMT 1
Well just finished - even faster paced than "Jackie Won A Pony". I could n't keep up with all the horses! Confused! Almost felt like drawing a chart. I think this might have been too much for me as a kid.
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Post by Claire on Feb 25, 2014 23:55:00 GMT 1
Lol tintin. You obviously don't agree with those who say its the best of her books. Haven't started re-reading this one yet and can't remember a lot about it.
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Post by tintin on Feb 26, 2014 1:26:03 GMT 1
If you like this sort of thing this is the sort of thing you'll like...
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vera
Pony Clubber
Posts: 247
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Post by vera on Feb 26, 2014 6:55:10 GMT 1
One of the reasons I liked this was that it so far beyond possible that you just suspend disbelief and enjoy the ponies and the children, and the circus, and the whole improbable how to establish and make a success of a riding school in one summer holiday, whilst survivning sundry disasters along the way. It's still one of my favourites!
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Post by tintin on Feb 26, 2014 14:35:42 GMT 1
"You obviously don't agree with those who say its the best of her books"
Well on a sample of three (which hardly really qualifies me)I liked "Jackie Won a Pony" best because there is real depth of character in Jackie and Misty and the plot, although breakneck is a little more directed. This is just too many people, too many horses and too much happening in too short a time. I think this a pitch of temprement more than age - the "Animal Ark", "Faith, Hope and Charity" and "Amy and Clown" series are I think pitched at a similar age group, but give you a bit more of a sense of place.
I preferred the Circus Horse book to this as well because as she was so central you were able to get more attached to Ballita.
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Post by brumby on Mar 3, 2014 22:42:40 GMT 1
Am about half way through and so far loving it! But I am an absolute sucker for a Riding School Story! Lovely illustrations also makes me very happy
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Post by Claire on Mar 3, 2014 23:10:39 GMT 1
I love a riding school story too brumby.
Must get started on this. It may cheer me up a bit.
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Post by brumby on Mar 6, 2014 6:12:24 GMT 1
I really enjoyed this book, a simple book that moved along at a good pace. Loved all the ponies especially Domino, would have loved a sequel where we get to know more about the different ponies. Human characters were pleasant and treated the ponies well, really nice dog, what more could I ask for.
Agree this is so far the best of Judith Berrisford
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Post by Claire on Mar 10, 2014 0:17:49 GMT 1
I know what Tintin means, it really is a catalogue of disasters from the start - the kids manage to let a horse get loose, get bolted with trying to catch it, and let one of the ponies roll in quicksand and get covered in mud when they are trying to keep clean and tidy all in one chapter. Not to mention the fact that they are looking after the ponies due to the fact that the owner's car has crashed into a ditch!
Something I wouldn't have wondered at when reading as a child, but how does Diane get the money to rent a stableyard and buy a load of horses at only 21? Does it say anywhere where she got the money from?
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vera
Pony Clubber
Posts: 247
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Post by vera on Mar 10, 2014 5:20:40 GMT 1
She inherited from her grandmother and had to wait until she was 21 before she could access it. But I was thinking about the way she bought her ponies and thye turned out ok for the riding school just like that; that bit was all too easy!
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Post by Claire on Mar 10, 2014 11:40:19 GMT 1
She inherited from her grandmother and had to wait until she was 21 before she could access it. But I was thinking about the way she bought her ponies and thye turned out ok for the riding school just like that; that bit was all too easy! Thanks Vera I must have missed that bit. I agree about buying the ponies, also she was a bit silly going out buying more when she'd only been open a couple of days and had no customers yet! But as we all seemed to agree in the other JMB thread, realism is not the author's strong point. Another thing that struck me - nothing to do with the book tho - was that there were 3 riding schools all within close proximity. Shows how things have changed, now you have to go miles to find one in most places.
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Post by Claire on Mar 15, 2014 21:24:08 GMT 1
Got to say love the illustrations, especially the frontispiece. What a shame tho that the edition I have (Brockhampton reprint) doesnt have a Geoffrey Whittam cover. Its a bit uninspired and has the colour of the foal wrong (possibly also the mare Meggetty too tho I can#t recall what colour she was off hand)
I like the fact that the gypsies in the book are not villains but quite nice (if slightly devious in getting Diane to look after their in foal mare for them!)
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