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sherwoodreads's review against another edition
This book is part memoir, part information, with some travel reminiscence, science, and history added in.
At first I found it difficult to get into, as more of the book appeared to be about the author and her family than about horses. She came off as a very privileged rich girl despite her self-deprecation, which I found off-putting, but I got drawn into the story via her anecdotes illustrating the complexity of her Holocaust-survivor father. I began to think that this was two books fighting for the same space, and where were the horses?
They came, slowly at first. Another bump in the road for me was the chapter on competition over horse models. I have little interest in any type of competition, especially over plastic models, but Nir drew me in by recounting anecdotes of those passionate about it. Model horses were for those who can’t have horses—that much I understood, as I grew up in a community where the closest the “horse girls” in my classes could get was watching MY FRIEND FLICKA on TV—and collecting, and endlessly talking about, their plastic horse models. Through this chapter I got more insight into this passion, without ever feeling that Nir was condescending or finger-pointing.
And then came the horses themselves, and I was hooked. Each horse came with a story, sometimes with scientific info, sometimes historical, with quotes from experts. These chapters were often interwoven with bits about Nir’s father—the payoff being the result of a riding competition.
Then on to all kinds of horses, from the Chincoteague swim, to dressage horses to stables in the heart of New York City, horses in opera and at parties, racing. Then there are the heavy horses, such as Samson, who she rode as a teen park ranger. Ranch horses, and posh riding schools. Horses all over the world, and what they mean in different cultures. How horses communicate, and a glimpse at their thinking.
Finally it all tied back to Nir’s father, forming altogether a lovely, insightful, informative and richly storied read.
Copy provided by NetGalley
At first I found it difficult to get into, as more of the book appeared to be about the author and her family than about horses. She came off as a very privileged rich girl despite her self-deprecation, which I found off-putting, but I got drawn into the story via her anecdotes illustrating the complexity of her Holocaust-survivor father. I began to think that this was two books fighting for the same space, and where were the horses?
They came, slowly at first. Another bump in the road for me was the chapter on competition over horse models. I have little interest in any type of competition, especially over plastic models, but Nir drew me in by recounting anecdotes of those passionate about it. Model horses were for those who can’t have horses—that much I understood, as I grew up in a community where the closest the “horse girls” in my classes could get was watching MY FRIEND FLICKA on TV—and collecting, and endlessly talking about, their plastic horse models. Through this chapter I got more insight into this passion, without ever feeling that Nir was condescending or finger-pointing.
And then came the horses themselves, and I was hooked. Each horse came with a story, sometimes with scientific info, sometimes historical, with quotes from experts. These chapters were often interwoven with bits about Nir’s father—the payoff being the result of a riding competition.
Then on to all kinds of horses, from the Chincoteague swim, to dressage horses to stables in the heart of New York City, horses in opera and at parties, racing. Then there are the heavy horses, such as Samson, who she rode as a teen park ranger. Ranch horses, and posh riding schools. Horses all over the world, and what they mean in different cultures. How horses communicate, and a glimpse at their thinking.
Finally it all tied back to Nir’s father, forming altogether a lovely, insightful, informative and richly storied read.
Copy provided by NetGalley
vizira's review against another edition
5.0
This book spoke to my soul. The chapter on Breyer horses made me feel eleven years old again, sifting through boxes in my local tack store's attic. I really enjoyed the discussions of class, and the beautiful and frequently funny stories of Nir's family.
Thank you Netgalley for the arc.
Thank you Netgalley for the arc.
sjgrodsky's review
3.0
Sixteen days to read fewer than 300 pages. I did not exactly gallop through this book.
The author’s bio in the inside back cover says “She loves horses.” But I don’t agree. I think she loves to ride horses. She loves the thrill of galloping and jumping. She loves to compete and collect ribbons that attest to her skill as a rider. Most of all, she loves to feel that she, a nice Jewish girl, has cracked the WASP enclave of equitation.
She has spent a lot of time with horses. Yet she doesn’t seem to get this plain fact: horses don’t want to be ridden. They don’t want to have saddles strapped on their backs, cold (and often painful) bits thrust in their mouths, riders jabbing heels (if not spurs) into their sides.
They are animals. They want to be with their buddies — other horses — cropping grass in a pasture. They are creatures of habit and can be trained to do all of the silly things we demand of them. That doesn’t mean we should be stabling them in narrow stalls where they doze (but don’t really sleep) standing up. Or flying them around the world in capsules. Or giving them away to unknown persons because you want to frustrate your soon to be ex-husband.
That said, Sarah does tell some horse stories that were new to me. Though I often wished for more background and more of the basic facts that she must have learned to gather in J school.
1
—
The chapter on the Breyer model horse competitions was fascinating. I, like every horse-mad girl, had models of horses, standins for the live herd I couldn’t have in a suburban tract house. But it never occurred to me that they could be taken to a ... competition? And though Sarah does a good job describing the people she met, she doesn’t tell us how frequently these competitions occur, how many people compete, the amount of money involved, the Breyer company contribution. Insight from a psychologist would also have enriched the story.
2
—
I was astonished, if horrified, to learn that horses were stabled in an apartment building on west 89th Street. And that there was a small stable on Randall’s Island underneath the FDR expressway. And that the reprehensible “sport” of fox hunting is just drunken riders clinging to horses as they stampede over hill and dale.
But I am disappointed that Sarah does not see how we frustrate horses’ natural impulses, condemning them to misery so we can enjoy the thrill ride.
The author’s bio in the inside back cover says “She loves horses.” But I don’t agree. I think she loves to ride horses. She loves the thrill of galloping and jumping. She loves to compete and collect ribbons that attest to her skill as a rider. Most of all, she loves to feel that she, a nice Jewish girl, has cracked the WASP enclave of equitation.
She has spent a lot of time with horses. Yet she doesn’t seem to get this plain fact: horses don’t want to be ridden. They don’t want to have saddles strapped on their backs, cold (and often painful) bits thrust in their mouths, riders jabbing heels (if not spurs) into their sides.
They are animals. They want to be with their buddies — other horses — cropping grass in a pasture. They are creatures of habit and can be trained to do all of the silly things we demand of them. That doesn’t mean we should be stabling them in narrow stalls where they doze (but don’t really sleep) standing up. Or flying them around the world in capsules. Or giving them away to unknown persons because you want to frustrate your soon to be ex-husband.
That said, Sarah does tell some horse stories that were new to me. Though I often wished for more background and more of the basic facts that she must have learned to gather in J school.
1
—
The chapter on the Breyer model horse competitions was fascinating. I, like every horse-mad girl, had models of horses, standins for the live herd I couldn’t have in a suburban tract house. But it never occurred to me that they could be taken to a ... competition? And though Sarah does a good job describing the people she met, she doesn’t tell us how frequently these competitions occur, how many people compete, the amount of money involved, the Breyer company contribution. Insight from a psychologist would also have enriched the story.
2
—
I was astonished, if horrified, to learn that horses were stabled in an apartment building on west 89th Street. And that there was a small stable on Randall’s Island underneath the FDR expressway. And that the reprehensible “sport” of fox hunting is just drunken riders clinging to horses as they stampede over hill and dale.
But I am disappointed that Sarah does not see how we frustrate horses’ natural impulses, condemning them to misery so we can enjoy the thrill ride.
ashleykritzer's review
5.0
This book was basically written just for me, as a lifelong horse girl and reporter, but I could make a strong case that anyone would enjoy. I am huge fan of Sarah Maslin Nir’s work in the NYT; her series Unvarnished, on the high cost of cheap manicures, is one of my favorite pieces of journalism of all time. Maslin Nir marries her journalistic acuity with her passion for horses and the result is a fabulous read of horses that feel real enough to step off the page. She is a rare combination of brilliant reporter and writer and it shines in every part of this book. Netgalley provided an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
darkbaysfordays's review
4.0
Read this book for an equine-centered book club that I belong to. I'm not typically one to read biographies/nonfiction but I went in with an open mind. I enjoyed every chapter although I sometimes felt the author's descriptions were over-embellished. Each story does suck you in a bit and makes you want to experience it for yourself.
winelovingbooknerd's review against another edition
4.0
Sarah Maslin Nir is an acclaimed journalist, Pulitzer Prize finalist, and a lover of horses. Nir has lived a fascinating life, traveling the world as a journalist and taking the time to track down the horses in each of the places that she visited. Her stories are funny, heart-warming, filled with little known facts about horses and include a timely discussion about racism and some of the white-washing that has happened in our country's history. Her stories allowed me to relive my youth, filled with Breyer horses and reading Misty of Chincoteague, and to live vicariously through her many other courageous adventures. I was captivated by her bravery and doggedness and was touched by her openness and vulnerability. Every horse lover should read this story but you don't need to be a horse lover to appreciate it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
strwberidaquiri's review
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Captures the love of horses and the surprises of humanity.
gabrielleduran's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.75