cluckingbell's review against another edition
4.0
Not what I expected, which is probably good given the somewhat cloying title. It's a little hard to explain why I enjoyed this book, as there's historical exposition interspersed throughout (often begun with "In those days..."), not a great deal of character development, and little of an identifiable plot. The premise of 19-year-old Martha Lessen gentling horses in eastern Oregon in 1917 is largely a device to introduce us to the lives of a community of people. But the author doesn't restrict herself to Martha's point of view, even within a single page, so you get these stark, sometimes startling glimpses into the hearts of people as well. The straightforward prose doesn't demand that you admire or pity or envy the characters, it only presents what is, what always is: people experience worry and laughter and grief and joy, and for most life goes on.
In a solipsist modern culture obsessed with texting and "reality" TV, it was refreshing to read a subtle story about empathy. So perhaps in some ways the novel IS told from Martha's point of view, as we perceive in her world a quiet dignity because that is in her own nature.
At the same time that I found the book affecting, I was occasionally amazed at a moment's intuition about a character and would find myself rereading a deceptively simple passage to figure out what Gloss had done to give me that insight. There's the old "show, don't tell" principle for writers, but sometimes I couldn't even figure out what she had shown me that made everything so clear in instant.
Add to that that I finished it in a couple days (and we're talking work days, not even a weekend), and I'd have to call it an understated page-turner.
In a solipsist modern culture obsessed with texting and "reality" TV, it was refreshing to read a subtle story about empathy. So perhaps in some ways the novel IS told from Martha's point of view, as we perceive in her world a quiet dignity because that is in her own nature.
At the same time that I found the book affecting, I was occasionally amazed at a moment's intuition about a character and would find myself rereading a deceptively simple passage to figure out what Gloss had done to give me that insight. There's the old "show, don't tell" principle for writers, but sometimes I couldn't even figure out what she had shown me that made everything so clear in instant.
Add to that that I finished it in a couple days (and we're talking work days, not even a weekend), and I'd have to call it an understated page-turner.
zeljana's review against another edition
4.0
This novel is topically so much out of my comfort zone. Nothing about it is what I would normally choose to read. The cover and the title also don't do it justice. This is really not what it seems!
But, I am so glad that I read this book because once again I am proven that sometimes the best things are where we least hope to find them.
The Hearts of Horses is a novel set in the winter of 1917, somewhere in the east of Oregon state. The main character is Martha, a young woman who escaped her abusive family to build herself a name as a "broncobuster". Through her experiences with horses, we get to know several families living in the area, whose horses Martha is training. I am amazed at how touched I was by these people and their struggles, even though this is not a sappy novel by any measure. There is a lot of subtle social commentary here, some big topics such as the effect of WW1 on the people who stayed behind and the myth of the American West.
Molly Gloss is just a master storyteller. The omniscient narrator works so well here and there is a great sense of time and space. Even the parts about horses were not annoying or boring, and I have zero interest in them.
But, I am so glad that I read this book because once again I am proven that sometimes the best things are where we least hope to find them.
The Hearts of Horses is a novel set in the winter of 1917, somewhere in the east of Oregon state. The main character is Martha, a young woman who escaped her abusive family to build herself a name as a "broncobuster". Through her experiences with horses, we get to know several families living in the area, whose horses Martha is training. I am amazed at how touched I was by these people and their struggles, even though this is not a sappy novel by any measure. There is a lot of subtle social commentary here, some big topics such as the effect of WW1 on the people who stayed behind and the myth of the American West.
Molly Gloss is just a master storyteller. The omniscient narrator works so well here and there is a great sense of time and space. Even the parts about horses were not annoying or boring, and I have zero interest in them.
jtlars7's review against another edition
4.0
Such a nice, good book. The author made me feel for so many different characters in rural Oregon during WWI. It wasn’t primarily a love story, but there was a romance that was understated and sweet.
birdkeeperklink's review against another edition
3.0
This book was okay. I didn't really feel like I got what was advertised by the name and the blurb, but I'm used to that. The worst part was that I had a very hard time connecting with the characters. It took a serious amount of effort for me to really 'get' them, which is supposed to be the author's job. I mean, of course the reader has to care enough to try to engage in the book, but I don't feel like I was met even a quarter of the way, let alone half.
Part of it can probably be attributed to the dry, distant writing style. Things and people are described in almost a muted fashion, making it seem like it's all taking place very far away.
After I made that effort, though, I did like the characters--the nice ones, anyway. The ending was a little awkward, but I didn't actually mind the main character's choice that much. It bothered me a little, but I was mostly comfortable with it.
I liked the book and would recommend it, I would just caution that it's not really about horses (or their hearts). The horses are more of an incidental factor.
Part of it can probably be attributed to the dry, distant writing style. Things and people are described in almost a muted fashion, making it seem like it's all taking place very far away.
After I made that effort, though, I did like the characters--the nice ones, anyway. The ending was a little awkward, but I didn't actually mind the main character's choice that much. It bothered me a little, but I was mostly comfortable with it.
I liked the book and would recommend it, I would just caution that it's not really about horses (or their hearts). The horses are more of an incidental factor.
vickigee85's review against another edition
5.0
Short and sweet: this novel is lovely, written in picturesque language, as we follow the work and life-adventure of Martha. A nineteen year old cowgirl, adept at breaking horses with loving guidance rather than a whip and a rope.
I loved riding along with Martha, meeting the people on her circle and “seeing” all Elwha county had to offer in 1917. My grandparents were right around Martha’s age so the facets of my understanding are clearer.
A must-read for girls who love horses or any darling who dreamt of being a cowgirl in fancy chaps.
I loved riding along with Martha, meeting the people on her circle and “seeing” all Elwha county had to offer in 1917. My grandparents were right around Martha’s age so the facets of my understanding are clearer.
A must-read for girls who love horses or any darling who dreamt of being a cowgirl in fancy chaps.
meredith_mccaskey's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was just utterly delightful. I didn’t want it to end.
thelexingtonbookie's review against another edition
4.0
It took me about two days to tear through this 'modern' western. Written in 2007 yet set in 1917, this novel was meant for horse girls like myself- dreamers of what life in the wild west would be like.
The novel follows central protagonist Martha Lesson as she set out into Elwha County in search of horses to break for ranchwork. Leaving hometown Pendleton and an abusive father behind, Martha is determined to make her dream of riding through unfenced, open, wild west country come true. Though unsure at first, she finds work with George and Louise Bliss on their farm, and eventually they help her start a riding circle in the county, breaking and riding horses from farm to farm. They introduce her to many old time and new settlers who become prominent figures in her new life, and eventually she comes upon reason to stay.
It's a lovely little book that has excitement, humor, hard life, and romance. Gloss did a great job weaving in the history of settling the west with the then current events surrounding World War I, and still keeping the plot moving forward with the interaction between the characters.
I think I'll be keeping this one on my bookshelves.
The novel follows central protagonist Martha Lesson as she set out into Elwha County in search of horses to break for ranchwork. Leaving hometown Pendleton and an abusive father behind, Martha is determined to make her dream of riding through unfenced, open, wild west country come true. Though unsure at first, she finds work with George and Louise Bliss on their farm, and eventually they help her start a riding circle in the county, breaking and riding horses from farm to farm. They introduce her to many old time and new settlers who become prominent figures in her new life, and eventually she comes upon reason to stay.
It's a lovely little book that has excitement, humor, hard life, and romance. Gloss did a great job weaving in the history of settling the west with the then current events surrounding World War I, and still keeping the plot moving forward with the interaction between the characters.
I think I'll be keeping this one on my bookshelves.
christiek's review against another edition
5.0
This was fantastic. Gloss's characters have a depth that is created in just in few simple sentences, but they are as complex and interesting and so very real. As always I have a few quibbles with some of Gloss's choices, but the plotting, characterization, and voice are all marvelous.
ivyrose7's review against another edition
3.0
Having lived and worked in the John Day/Canyon City Valley in OR for several years, I liked reading a book set in a landscape I was familiar with. I also really enjoyed that the main character Martha Lassen was an unusual heroine who was a little aloof and hard to get to know.
I found the book a little cheesy at times, and wasn't completely blown away by the writing and development of other characters. I still thoroughly enjoyed the book and am glad I read it.
I found the book a little cheesy at times, and wasn't completely blown away by the writing and development of other characters. I still thoroughly enjoyed the book and am glad I read it.
robinsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I read this (or actually, listened to half and read the other half) for the library discussion group and thought it was a very well done story of eastern Oregon during the time of World War I.