Book Review: Chancey of the Maury River

Chancey of the Maury River
Author: Gigi Amateau
Published: Candlewick, 2010
Genre: Middle-Grade, Fantasy, Horse Narrative
Rating: 5/5

Anybody who has read my blog in the past knows I love horses. I especially love stories about horses and my favorite novels are usually aimed at middle-grade readers. There is a time in lots of young girls' lives they fall in love with horses. Some will fall out of love in a short time and others will fall in love for life. Much to my parents' dismay, I never stopped loving horses. My mother felt guilty, she could not afford riding lessons so she gave me what she could: books. My childhood days were filled with book like The Saddle Club, Pony Pals, Heartland and novels by Marguerite Henry.

Sometimes, I still go to my local bookshop where I browse the "horse section" for middle-grade readers. This is where I found Chancey of the Maury River. This novel is on the same level of craft writing and plot as War Horse.

Chancey is an albino Appaloosa. He has lived his life with the indifference of his owner while working as a school horse. When his owner faces a financial crisis, he is forced to fend for himself and then abandoned. At Maury River Stables he meets the first human to love him unconditionally. Claire has suffered a great loss, but through her relationship with Chancey she begins to recover. As Chancy ages, Claire learns to share him with other riders in a therapeutic riding program. She and Chancy touch the hearts of other humans and animals as they grow together.

Amateau had done an outstanding job writing this from Chancey's point of view. Chancey's interpretation of the world is authentic and reliable (from a horse's POV). The plot of this novel is well done and both of the main characters grow with each new challenge. Amateau presents accurate knowledge of horsemanship in this novel and has colorfully written images that will stay in her readers' heads.

I heartily recommend this novel for all young equestrians and adults who enjoy horse stories. It will be a book I share with my own children someday.

Book Review: Horsemaster

Horsemaster

Author: Marilyn Singer

Published: 1985, Collier Books, Macmillan Publishing

Genre: Middle-grade fantasy, 179 pages

Rating: 5/5

I reread the novel Horsemaster on the plane trip from Detroit to Nagoya, Japan. This novel opened my reading world up when I was twelve into the fantasy genre. I found the battered paperback at my town library amongst the other fantasy novels dealing with dragons, enchanted swords and magicians trying to save the world. I reread the book several times and never could forget it. I bought a used copy off of amazon.com because, unfortuantly, it is no longer in publication.

This is also my first book for the 100 book challenge in 2012. I specifically chose this novel because I wanted to recall my childhood inspirations for wanting to become a writer. Emotionally, it was the right book for me to read as I embark on my journey to write about the horses in Japan.

Jessica has dreams. Dreams of a horse that is so unearthly and yet so tangible she finds herself wondering if her dreams are real. Her best friend, Jack, can't seem to stay out of trouble and she somehow gets involved even when it's not his fault. In an abandoned barn they discover a tapestry that will link them, another world, and the esscence of horses intrinsically together. The characters have depth and will become even more admired as they change through their unsuspected journey. The majesty of the horse's spirit can be found on every page as it is used to influence the tone, emotions, and decisions of the characters. Singer has created a memorable book that will be enjoyed by any horse lover who enjoys the fantasy genre. I highly recommend if you can find a copy buy it and read it. 

Book Review: Horses Never Lie About Love

Title: Horse Never Lie About Love
Author: Jana Harris
Published: Free Press, 2011
Genre: Memoir, 276 pages
Rating: 5/5

I used to rarely read memoirs. Until I was in college I was a fiction junkie. I took a summer literature class that focused specifically on the memoir genre. My favorite memoir that I read for the class was the popular Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt. In a sad twist of fate Mr. McCourt died shortly before my class began. Perhaps it was his death or my interest in Ireland that drew me to his memoir. Whatever the case, the summer of 2009 opened my reading world up. I am now a consumer of many animal related memoirs.

Harris' memoir focuses on her life after she purchases a mare and two foals to start a small breeding farm. The mare, True Colors, hasn't been touched in years and the foals have never known human touch. Filled with detailed descriptions and defining passages the reader is brought into Harris' world of horses. She struggles to gain the trust of one of the foals and tries to understand True Colors who never wants for humans. Readers will be able to sense the the atmosphere, emotion, and wonder horses bring to a person's life. Harris has made her love for horses palpable on every page. Any equine enthusiast will enjoy this engrossing read.

Book Review: Horses and Civilizations

Horse: How the Horse Has Shaped Civilization

Author: J. Edward Chamberlin

Published:  BlueBridge, 2006

Genre: Nature/Philosophical Essay, 288 pages

Rating: 5/5

What is the horse? How has the horse affected the world of humans? Why are humans fascinated with horses? Chamberlin attempts to explain the connection between humans and horses from the dawn of time to the modern era. Drawing on evidence from archaeology, art, literature, stories, and cultural history he tells the story of how humans have worshiped and valued horses.

The passages in this book are rich with imagery, metaphors and parallel ties between man and horse. From the steppes of Mongolia to the American farm Chamberlin finds the important essence of the horse in art, battle, religion and life. There is no linear story for the human's history with the horse. Chamberlin has done a wonderful job weaving together the multiple histories of the horse into a concrete and well written essay. 

This book also mentions a certain Greek, Xenophon, whose writings on horses "were influential on the classical world". This book in modern publication is a short 42 pages but is an important document in equine history. It is available on the kindle for free. I intend to indulge in this historical text and share my opinions on it in a later post.

Book Review: War Horse

Title: War Horse
Author: Michael Morpurgo
Published: Scholastic, 1982
Genre: Children's Fiction, 165 pages
Rating: 5/5

This is novel that is on equal ground with Anna Sewell's Black Beauty. Told from the view of a farm horse named Joey this is much more than a mere "horse story". Morpurgo took hold of the history of World War I and incorporated the horrors of mankind into the world of horses. Joey has an unbreakable bond with his master, a teenager named Albert. Joey sees both man and horse die in the blood stained lands of France as he is shuffled from the British army to the German army. He learns that many humans do not understand what they are spilling blood over. Through it all Joey valiantly carries out his tasks while always thinking of the promise Albert made to him.

Filled with concrete details Morpurgo brings the past world of horses to life. Even in the new age of machinery man still depended upon the horse for transportation, strength, and friendship. Countries prided themselves on the quality of horses and riders in their Calvary. In World War I hundreds of thousands of horses died serving whatever man they called master. In this modern age there are many who have forgotten how nobly the horse has served human causes. Morpurgo's novel is a testament to the horse's nobility and the enduring bond he has with man.