|
Post by Charlotte on Sept 27, 2014 22:10:03 GMT 1
I suspect Judith Berrisford's pony series set in Wales (for example) may be pretty atmospheric in setting, hav'nt read them? I'd say Monica Edwards again, partly because don't know much else but the sense of place is always pretty strong. Unlike the Punchbowl though, apparently the Marsh area looks very different nowadays. No Ponies, especially, and We Could'nt Leave Dinah, seem quite exotic as well.
|
|
|
Post by haffyfan on Sept 28, 2014 11:34:21 GMT 1
I think it would be hard to beat Elyne Mitchell for this one, in terms of descriptive writing. Some lovely Portrayals of the Highlands in some of Pat Leitch's books too, especially Jinny/Horse From Black Loch.
Exotic wise, although it has very little atmospheric/descriptive elements, Island Pony club by Naomi 'someone' is set in Bermuda, if i recall correctly.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 28, 2014 17:58:21 GMT 1
Yes agree with Monica Edwards, great locations for both those series I think. There's been a lot of pony books set in the New Forest, also a lovely setting.
|
|
vera
Pony Clubber
Posts: 247
|
Post by vera on Sept 28, 2014 21:58:46 GMT 1
I thought of Elyne Mitchell straight away when I saw this. She is very accurate in her description and very evocative. Most pony books are plot and character driven. Vian Smith's MArtin Rides the Moor and Come Down the Mountain make those places come alive.
|
|
|
Post by Claire on Sept 28, 2014 23:39:34 GMT 1
Interesting thread.
Have to agree with everyone re. Elyne Mitchell. Monica Edwards and the Jinny books/Horse from Black Loch.
Lorna Hill sets a very realistic backdrop of the North East of England & Northumbria in her books (I know cos its my old stamping ground), tho her ballet books are far better than the horse ones in terms of character and plot! Also check out Dancing Peel a part pony part ballet school set in the wilds of the Highlands.
Eleanor Helme does a very good job of creating the atmosphere of Exmoor, tho some of her plots are a bit slow its still a pleasure to read about all the places.
Primrose Cumming is also very good at creating the atmosphere and settings and sometimes they are quite exotic such as Norway in Foal of the Fjords and Greece in Penny & Pegasus.
For exotic-ness there are actually quite a few pony books set in Hawaii of all places! But Angela Dorsey must take the exotic prize as she has a horse story set in ancient Egypt and one set in Haiti amidst a backdrop of voodoo and zombies!!! Oh and didnt she also have one set in Hawaii too lol.
|
|
|
Post by susanb on Dec 15, 2014 18:20:46 GMT 1
Just noticed this thread...don't know how I missed it before! Horses in Hawaii isn't really unusual...Hawaii has a long history of cattle ranching. It's just that people think of Hawaii and they think of the beaches and vacation, not the agricultural bits (they're famous for Kona coffee too). A bit like people here don't think of Scotland except in association with whiskey...then you say "where do you think that Angus steak you're eating began" I can recommend Bright Spurs by Armine von Tempski, about two teenage sisters turning the family ranch into a hotel/dude ranch after the death of their parents. Expensive in hardcover, but cheap in paperback from Ox Bow Press. The paperback edition has identical text and internal illustrations to the hardcover, only the cover art is new. BTW, the spurs in the title doesn't refer to actual spurs, but to a phrase "win your spurs and keep them bright". Oh dear, now to explain the phrase! It means attaining a level of accomplishment, of mastery, as beginners wouldn't be allowed to wear spurs. But a bit more....winning the respect of your peers is part of it. Then you can't rest on your laurels, you have to keep working to "keep them bright". In the girls case it's running the hotel and ranch and transitioning into adult responsibilities, rather than riding. Outcast, Stallion of Hawaii by Harlan Thompson is excellent too, but it's never been reprinted so a bit of a pig to find.
|
|