Rating: 
Summary: very well written and grabs you from the beginning
Review: I did not read the book because I know about horses, because I don't. Honestly, I bought it because I heard Robert Redford was making the movie and it had taken him 3 years. From the first chapter, the book had my attention. Others who know horses can say things in the book are unreal but let's remember this is fiction. The written graphics in the book made it possible for me to visualize the semi not being able to stop, the terror felt by the girls and the horses. I want to feel all the emotions in the written words - fear, sadness, confusion, etc. I couldn't put it down and was sorry when I finished it.
Rating: 
Summary: One of the worst books I have ever read
Review: Like so many others, I was very disappointed in this book. I volunteered to review the book for my book discussion group, knowing it was a best-seller. It is the first time in my memory that everyone in the group disliked a book chosen for review. Although I do not claim any talent of my own for writing, I do recognize such a talent when it exists. Alas, none is exhibited in Horse Whisperer... Instead of looking at what is on the NY Times Best Seller list, I recommend that fellow readers follow Oprah's suggestions.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing, pedestrian, and facile
Review: I tried. I really did try to enjoy this book. But its characters are predictable and underdeveloped and they STAY THAT WAY. The passages about the actual horse whispering stand out vividly from the rest of the book, but there are not nearly enough of them to support the rest of this lumbering mess. I had hopes--the subject is interesting and first books are often unexpectedly excellent. But the author was too busy covering his bets to actually write a compelling story. Hype wins again. I won't be looking for the sequel.
Rating: 
Summary: Strong start, slow finish
Review: What a book! I fell in love with the characters (yes, even the horse!) and the story line at once. I read every page with anticipation of what was going to happen to my new "friends." However, the last few chapters were disappointing and the ending was a total let down. I didn't expect or want a fairy tale ending, but rather than dealing with the issues the characters were facing, Mr. Evans took the easy way out and left this reader at a loss.
Rating:
Summary: Gag me with a Spoon!
Review: ...This book reads like it was written with a screenplay in mind; there's no depth here, or feeling, or quality writing. The book is made up of polished, superficial scenes that will translate extremely well to celluloid and wil make very little impression on anyone who reads it. Cheesy and manipulative plot aside, even the horse whisperer himself failed to impress! He displayed a basic knowledge of horse psychology and a few tricks, and suddenly the world is aswoon over the "magic horse trainers." I was hoping for a real story about real people and animals; what I got was a made-for-Hollywood cheesefest by an untalented but ambitious writer. Incredibly disappointing.
Rating: 
Summary: Great, until a trite end following an out-of-character move
Review: Evans is a great writer, weaving a forceful and believable story -- until the end! The outcome for Annie was trite and predictable -- the choice Tom makes is completely out of character -- Grace's subsequent "acceptance" of Tom's decision, her mother's situation and her role as a go-between with her parents is also out-of-character and not likely, considering where she began! I understand that the movie ending is different. For once, the movie may be an improvement over the book. Take more time, next time, Evans -- don't waste your talents on a trite ending.
Rating:
Summary: BEST BOOK I EVER READ
Review: I LOVED ALMOST EVERY PART OF THAT BOOK. BUT I DO AGREE WITH THE PEOPLE THAT SAY THE ENDING COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER. BUT ALL IN ALL IT WAS REALLY GOOD. AND I DON'T KNOW HOW SO MANY OF YOU CAN SIT THERE AT YOUR COMPUTERS, AND SO HARSHLEY PUT DOWN SUCH A WONDERFUL BOOK, AND IT'S AUTHOR. IT'S NOT HIS FAULT YOU DIDN'T LIKE THE BOOK! JUST BECAUSE IT DIDN'T LIVE UP TO YOUR STANDARDS DOESN'T MAKE HIM A BAD WRITER. I DARE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU WHO SAID THAT THIS WAS ONE OF THE WORST BOOKS, TO RE-WRITE IT, AND STOP YOUR COMPLANING.
Rating:
Summary: Menkin said it best
Review: When H.L. Menkin uttered the classic quote; "Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people." he probably had in mind the unintelligble reaction of the so called American Reader who fawns over this sappy, childish novel like it is the second coming of St. Barnabus. Good Literature has a center which serves as an ancor to the entire framework of the story. This book has a hole in it's center that creates an echo as mindless and knumbing as the regretable lunatic who on the coldest night, hit's the city park wearing only a beanie with a propeller attached. Such ramblings can only be tolerated if there is even the romotest of interesting characters. Evans would not know an interesting character if he woke up in the middle of a Nurse Ratchet dialogue on proper toiletry usage. It's obvious from the Sparking reviews of my (I hesitate to say) fellow readers, that most people are mere followers who would not have a true feeling if Peter came down from the mountain and bestsowed serenity on all. This is a forgetable book with man made momentumm that focuses the light not on any particular passage, but on the shortcomings of the misguided readers who slobber over it. I feel pity for them.
Rating:
Summary: Book magnificent - movie fixes the end.
Review: My husband and friends and I all read and loved The Horse Whisperer except for the last two chapters. We just saw and loved Robert Redford's magnificent movie and loved all of it - including the end. Nicholas Evans should rewrite the book, copy Robert Redford's conclusion and re-issue the book. All of the characters stay in character and take the high road ethically and morally. Bravo! Just read the book and then go to the movies. What a treat.
Rating:
Summary: Romance novel masquerading as fine writing.
Review: I can't help but flinch at the writing in this book. Submitted for your approval, quotes from the book. "But if this were wrong, then what in the whole of life was right?" "She turned herself loose to the liquid rhythm of their coupling and found beyond its sorrow some brief oblivion." "She gave him a sad smile then looked up at the moon in its new place and trapped pieces of it in her eyes." Trapped pieces of it in her eyes?! Ouch! That's gotta hurt! PLEASE! This book should have Fabio on the cover! This would've been rejected by any freshman creative writing class. Mr. Evans attempts at revealing the thoughts and feelings of an adolescent girl and a grown woman all sour as well. This book has bamboozled so many people. Sure wish I were a novelist who could command that kind of cash though! END
|
