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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2013 18:18:51 GMT 1
I like this career novel just as much as Joan goes Farming. As usual my minds gone blank when I try to review a book It's basically about how Rennie has to overcome her phobias and panic attacks after she was in a car accident and her mother was killed. Into the story is woven how much hard work horses are and not much money if you work with them etc. but if you love horses then it's a rewarding job. Well something like that anyway! I've given it 5 horse shoes.
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Post by rallycairn on Jun 28, 2013 19:32:46 GMT 1
Wow, kind of a grim premise, but still sounds interesting. Are the mental health aspects well done, Rosie -- that is, the phobias and panic attacks and so forth? Kind of sounds in that respect like Tall and Proud, in a broad way of overcoming an illness through horses.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2013 20:38:54 GMT 1
WARNING - SPOILERS IN THIS POST
lol I did make it sound pretty grim!
Yes I had that thought that it was a bit like Tall and Proud with illness overcome by horses.
In my opinion it is well written, not dwelling on that side of it too much. She is portrayed as very feeble to start off with but she is determined to work with horses no matter what her Father or Aunt thinks or what happens when she does start helping in a stables. And quite a lot does happen!
She gets badly bitten, inadvertently causes a horse to get poll evil, upsets a fellow worker when their boyfriend starts fancying her instead and gets all nasty with her (in fact that bit would amount to bulling in the workplace nowadays)
And as if that wasn't bad enough she feels she has to leave her job because of this girl and starts working in a dealers yard. The owner is a dodgy dealer and she is caught in a dilemma, does she turn a blind eye to all the awful things the man does to the horses and stick with the decent wage that he provides. Or does she go back to her old stables and be happy again but poor!
The decision is made for her when a horse that is sold at the dealers yard kills a young boy. She knew the horse was drugged when the boy came to try him out and this is the final straw when she hears the terrible news. She discovers the nasty girl in her old stables is now going to leave and marry her boyfriend so the way is clear for her to return.
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Post by fizz on Jun 28, 2013 20:42:17 GMT 1
It is grim, but I gave it Gold Cup status because it is so different & so black. Lost my copy along the way. Still a big favourite, great characters equine & human.
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Post by Claire on Jun 28, 2013 22:45:00 GMT 1
Rosie - hope you don't mind just added a spoiler warning for your last post as it does give quite a lot away.
Haven't read this for a while - so prob due for a re-read before I vote. It is not one of my fav ME books, being quite depressing at times (tho A Wind is Blowing pips it for darkness!) but I can't deny its well written. Its like the 'dark side' of Pony Jobs for Jill, but Rennie doesn't cop out like Jill and give up her dreams, so strangely enough its actually more optimistic for people who want to work with horses. Hmm I think it would be quite interesting to have a discussion of horsy 'career novels' if we haven't somewhere already.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2013 6:50:24 GMT 1
Yes please I don't think I've ever seen a thread for one. Ooops sorry yes I forgot to put spoiler alert, I got a bit carried away after rally inspired me on what to write, thanks rally Yes this is how Jill should have ended up but didn't!
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Post by Claire on Jun 30, 2013 10:40:11 GMT 1
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2013 18:25:31 GMT 1
Forgotten that thread! I've re-voted now
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