Book Review: The Hearts of Horses by Molly Gloss

The Hearts of Horses
Molly Gloss
Mariner Books
ISBN 0547085753
Trade Paperback, 2008

Younger me had a herd of Breyers and read every horse book I could have laid my hands on.В  Molly Gloss’s “The Hearts of Horses” has the same feel as the great classics I read back as a child.

Based on oral histories from real cowgirls, the book should feel real. The story’s about Martha Lessen, a young woman who just wants to be with her horses.В  She leaves an abusive family situation in 1917 to travel Oregon breaking horses.

‘Breaking’ is a man’s term though. Martha would appreciate ‘horse whisperer’ Monty Roberts’s more mutualistic relationship. Martha gentles horses using their own desire to be part of the herd to work with them.

The prose in this book is as comfortable as an old pair of cowboy boots and beautiful as an Oregon vista. The story’s suitable for horse-loving young adults to the red-hat crew and beyond. I believe we’re going to see this story on the shelves alongside “Black Beauty” and the other classics for years to come. It’s certainly earned a place among the greats.

Reviewed by Rebecca Kyle, January 2010.

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February 8, 2010  Tags: , , ,   Posted in: Full Reviews

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