Post by Claire on Jun 13, 2008 20:47:35 GMT 1
Is it just me or does Gillian Baxter have two ways of writing: brilliant and fairly dull. Until recently I thought she was, with the exception of the Shelta and Pantomine Pony series, a not very great author. But then recently I have read four of hers in a row and thought they were all fantastic. The brill ones I would say are the above two series plus Bargain Horses, The Stables at Hampton, Sweet Rock and The Team From Low Moor.
Duds include Tan and Tarmac, one of the few horsy books I have never managed to get thru despite many attempts, Horses in the Glen, Horses in the Heather and Ribbons and Rings (last one not quite as bad) Although (except Tan and Tarmac) they are not particularly bad they are fairly dull whereas the others are either exciting/entertaining like the Shelta books, or are very insightful into character and relationships. For instance the destructive power of ambition is explored in Low Moor, and the characters of Chris in Sweet Rock and Tamara in Stables from Hampton are very complex and certainly not black or white. Even the Pantomime Pony series which is ignored a bit as it is for younger readers has good character development and insight. But the others seem rather wooden and the characters a bit 2 dimensional. Plus the good ones are all very easy to read and the others a bit of a struggle.
I cant really work out why this is. Its not, as is usual with other authors, either the earlier efforts not being as accomplished as the more mature works, or the later ones tailing off, as the good ones seem to be interspersed between the dull ones when you look at the publishing dates.
Does anyone agree or have any suggestions why? Or do you not agree with my analysis at all! Would be interested to know what others think.
BTW I talk about Sweet Rock in my blog if anyone wants to comment on it there.
Duds include Tan and Tarmac, one of the few horsy books I have never managed to get thru despite many attempts, Horses in the Glen, Horses in the Heather and Ribbons and Rings (last one not quite as bad) Although (except Tan and Tarmac) they are not particularly bad they are fairly dull whereas the others are either exciting/entertaining like the Shelta books, or are very insightful into character and relationships. For instance the destructive power of ambition is explored in Low Moor, and the characters of Chris in Sweet Rock and Tamara in Stables from Hampton are very complex and certainly not black or white. Even the Pantomime Pony series which is ignored a bit as it is for younger readers has good character development and insight. But the others seem rather wooden and the characters a bit 2 dimensional. Plus the good ones are all very easy to read and the others a bit of a struggle.
I cant really work out why this is. Its not, as is usual with other authors, either the earlier efforts not being as accomplished as the more mature works, or the later ones tailing off, as the good ones seem to be interspersed between the dull ones when you look at the publishing dates.
Does anyone agree or have any suggestions why? Or do you not agree with my analysis at all! Would be interested to know what others think.
BTW I talk about Sweet Rock in my blog if anyone wants to comment on it there.