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Post by haffyfan on Nov 7, 2007 20:58:36 GMT 1
The most magical pony book ever?
This is the story of Jenny, who longs to ride and of Tattles, the carriers old pony, whom she visits every day. Jenny always thought there was something mysterious about Tattles......how right she turns out to be...for one day he speaks to her "Through the dark corner and the password is Silver Snaffles".
Jenny does just this and is transported into a secret world where ponies can talk and teach children to ride, just as Jenny has always longed to do. She meets many wonderful characters and they teach her to ride and jump, she goes hunting and on a daring mission to save a pony who went through the mist....
I won't spoil it for those of youy eagarly awaiting the Fidra reprint but if you haven't ordered one do so NOW ....This is the most magical pony book you will ever come across and throughly deserves the high acclaim and status it has aquired!
I often wonder what would happen if I were to whisper 'Silver Snaffles' in the dark corner of my field shelter?
A definate 5 horseshoes....the stuff dreams are made of!
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Post by Claire on Nov 8, 2007 20:41:04 GMT 1
Well I reckon I am going to get lynched for saying this but actually I was slightly disappointed when I first read this book about 3 years ago. It has such a huge reputation as being the 'best pony book of all time' so I was expecting great things. It started brilliantly and the part where Jenny enters the world of the ponies is amazing but I felt that it went a bit flat in the middle. The ending was very satisfying however. Maybe I was expecting too much of the book, maybe it was because I had never read it as a child, perhaps because it was aimed at a slightly younger age group than the pony books I really enjoy - whatever the reason it didn't have the same resonance for me as say the Noel and Henry pony club series or Patricia Leitch's Dream of Fair Horses. I must say I feel a bit of the 'odd one out' admitting to this, like the only one who doesn't get the joke at a party! I know most people agree with the hype. I am not saying it is not an excellent pony book and it certainly is a must-read. It is one of the most original pony stories ever written and the idea of whispering a secret code to enter the world of ponies has a brilliant 'Narnia' like quality. I could talk at length about its good points but as no doubt others will do so I thought I would take a different viewpoint. It would be interesting to hear if anyone else shares my 'heresy' - in the meantime I am going to lie low and avoid the angry mob of Primrose Cumming fans knocking at my door...
Oh by the way would still give it a rating 4 horseshoes!
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Post by haffyfan on Nov 8, 2007 22:52:43 GMT 1
Know what you mean about hype...loved SS and have only read as an adult but I don't get Sheila Chapman at all...their so expensive but for me they look good in collection but I am not in a hurry to read again. At a push Pony And His Partner is okay/good but the others..........
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Post by seahorse on Dec 10, 2007 23:13:14 GMT 1
Am now far to excited have finally got my mitts on a copy (thank you Haffyfan) and am waiting until I have some time to read it.
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Post by garej on Dec 14, 2007 19:37:11 GMT 1
I got my Fidra books edition today
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Post by seahorse on Jan 1, 2008 23:22:21 GMT 1
I have finally read it, loved it was ready to be disapointed To start with I was thinking this is a bit young agree with you Claire but could not put it down. Haffyfan I have to confess to standing in Arfas bedroom (stable) and saying silver snaffles, nearly jumped out of skin when I heard a russeling but it was just arf trying to get in my pocket why I was distracted.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2009 21:24:39 GMT 1
What a wonderful book. It so lived up to the hype for me. I wonder how many children have crept off to a Dark Corner and whispered Silver Snaffles? I know I would have done if I'd read it as a child.
I've given it the golden cup award.
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Post by foxglove on Jul 21, 2010 9:57:33 GMT 1
I read this for the first time recently not really knowing what to expect at all. I found it quite charming, especially with the softly drawn illustrations (there might be a more technical artistic term for this). However, I think I would probably have dismissed it as a bit babyish as a young reader, unless I'd discovered it very early on. It is beautifully written with real affection for the ponies and I would like to pass it on to a young reader, but as an adult I can't quite claim to totally love it.
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