The Horse Whisperer

Rating:
Summary: This book was truly a tragedy in the Shakesperian sense.
Review: The characters intrigued me immediately when I began reading this book. By the time they got to Montana I lost my interest in everyone but Tom, but I found him pretty shallow. Why didn't we hear about the truck driver again? We knew a lot about him in the beginning. Why didn't the father fight harder for his family? How did he suddenly become so career driven once his wife and child left? Why didn't Tom ever see his son? He seemed to have traveled extensively. I enjoyed the author's descriptions. I wanted to know these people more. The ending was pitiful.

Rating:
Summary: Do Robert Waller and Nicolas Evans know eachother?
Review: I'm giving this a two only because it was better than "Bridges of Madison County," but they both could have been written by the same author. Same bitter, tragic, sappy love story bent toward the kind of audience who cries at the drop of a hat. (Or the trampling of martyrlike man by a horse) The writing was okay-the beginning better than the end-but since when have harlequin romances been hidden in the bestseller section?

Rating:
Summary: DISAPPOINTING
Review: Where is the story of the man who whispered to horses? An eighteen wheeler, two horses, and two young girls. A tragically gruesome accident, and a changed horse. A mother who tries to heal the horse, herself, and her daughter. Her affair with Tom was predictable and only slightly intriguing. But the ending fell flat. What of the characters Grace and Robert? Are we to believe that they will be forever content while Annie spends her life doting on the product of her love affair? And what was the child's name anyway, TOM? Tom Booker, an almost- believable character, sacrificed himelf to the fiercely fighting stallion in a Madame Butterfly/Miss Saigon fashion. Oh, pu--lease! No, this novel did not work for me. And as for the movie, I will probably go hoping to see some beautiful scenery and some horses, But all I can say is that I hope Hollywood and Robert Redfern can fix this one up!

Rating:
Summary: very entertaining
Review: it was a "hard to put down"er - i was up until all hours of the morning trying to find a good place to stop reading -- there was none! i just wanted to read and read and read.....

Rating:
Summary: It Made the NY Best Seller List; You've Got to be Kidding!
Review: The book started out very well; it was engaging mainly because the characterization was strong and the plot was heroic. However, my interest and enjoyment in the story plummeted immediately after the romantic feelings of Booker and Annie were acted on. Not only did the storyline become offensive, but downright pathetic. Cliches that tried to justify the affair such as, living for the now, and, it had to happen/it was meant to happen, were not only unconvincing but infuriating. As for the ending, oh please! Everything falls apart. Tom's suicide was bad enough, but then Annie's "miraculous" pregnancy was enough to make me want to tear the book in two. Why Robert Redford, whom I admire as an actor and director, would choose this of all books to make into a film, is beyond me! Evans, in your next book, try to be a little less formulaic, predictable, and downright corny!

Rating:
Summary: A spectacularly written book!
Review: A spectacularly written book, Evans portrays his characters vividly...It's not just any author that can bring his characters to life...Superb dialouge; great displaying of emotions; there's no way around it, Evans is a provactive author and this is a wonderful book.

Rating:
Summary: The tie that inextricably binds man to beast
Review: Funnily enough I was indifferent to reading this book, mainly because everyone was buzzing about it. I somehow instinctively knew it would be a let down - it wasn't. Evans did a superb job in kindling the reader's interest and fanning the embers into a full fledged flame. It was hard to put down the book without wondering what the next page held. This book, for those out there who believe that somehow beast and man have a kindred spirit, truly reinforces the very conviction. At the same time it touches the very heart of the "modern family" bringing to light and life the sadness of existing , but never truly living together. I found the book compelling and touching, Evans reaches inside and turns on the circuit breaker to the heart. His writing is good enough to eat. I recommend this book to anyone who's not afraid to look within.

Rating:
Summary: A Total Disapointment!!
Review: I was expecting at least a decent story, due to all the good reviews of friends and fellow horse owners/riders, but this book was pitiful. It dragged on and on, supported bad values and morals, and was totally empty, with unrealistic events and characters. I can't believe so many people think it's a "classic", or "one of the best reads of their life". I hope Evans keeps practicing, 'cause this book sucked!!

Rating:
Summary: Animals: yes. Humans: no.
Review: When the author is involved with the relation between animals and humans there is much to learn and the writing is on the mark. When he turns to relations between humans and humans, however, there is nothing new: no insight, just ordinary soap-opera drivel. The book is a slam-dunk animal book with a tacked-on love-story that goes weak in the knees, and an ending that finishes things without really ending them. I understand there is to be a movie from this book. It's a sad commentary on the state of affairs in the movie business when this is considered movie material. Still, if the reader wants a fast, cheap, no-brainer read, buy this in the remainder section...

Rating:
Summary: Adultery is not heroic.
Review: This book was an incredible let-down. Am I really supposed to believe that all this woman's internal struggles were laid (pardon the expression) to rest by cheating on her husband?! How is this a "love story"?!! The unsung hero of this story was the husband, who supported EVERYONE in his family unconditionally, and who was left out in the cold of NY while his wife romped around in Montana pursuing her own personal "healing". And the ending was just a symphony of contrived ludicrousness! I regret I wasted precious hours of my life on this book.