Rating: Summary: A bit on the romance-novelish side, but a good read. Review: I'm confused by both the excessive praise for and the vitriol directed against "The Horse Whisperer." It struck me as enjoyable but anachronistic, and Annie Graves' characterization (indeed, professional women in general) were vilified rather obnoxiously; I would have found it more believable and less annoying in a novel from several decades ago. Tom's noble, sacrificial nature was moving but the contrived ending left a bad taste in my mouth; ditto Annie's sainted husband Robert, who is somehow exempt from the anti-careerist asides directed against Annie, who is reduced to a woman who desperately needed a good lay and a baby for happiness. My favorite characters were Grace, a genuine feminist heroine, and Joe, Tom's less-smarmy nephew. It's odd that the two kids in a book about adults were the most appealing.I'm not usually interested in horses or cowboys, and Evans did a good job making their story appealing for non-fans, although some odd British phrases snuck into all-American Tom's speech. The scenic descriptions were superb, without the soaring, bursting prose so many writers use to write about the heartland. Having Robert Redford's face in my head undoubtedly influenced my view of Tom positively, but I actually enjoyed the book more than the rather slow-moving film.
Rating: Summary: His second best Review: I read Evans' book "The Loop" first. That is one of my favorite novels. Unfortunately, it created unrealistic expectations for the author's first novel. The Horse Whisperer is a good read, but the characters are just not that likeable -- particularly Annie, who is the kind of person I try to avoid: caustic, arrogant, and cold. Still, the book kept my interest, and made a fine movie. The Horse Whisperer shares similarities with another first-time effort I completed yesterday -- Dead Hand Control by Tim Stutler (see my review on Amazon.com). The books make for interesting comparisons. Each deals with a developing adolescent, thoughtful plot line, flawed (and adulterous) parent, wonderful descriptive language, and great twists. Dead Hand Control has the added value of well-timed humor -- something The Horse Whisperer could benefit from. Also, unlike Annie and her family, the characters in Stutler's book were sympathetic beings I really came to care about. Overall, though, The Horse Whisperer is a very good first effort.
Rating: Summary: All Around Fantastic Book!!!!!!!! Review: This book is phenomenal! Whether your a horse lover like me or not its a great read! The only downfall of this book is the graphic sex scenes which were a little too descriptive. But that's its only fault throughout the whole book. I would also recommend seeing the movie version which is one of my favorites. I highly recommend this book! Well happy reading!
Rating: Summary: I hope I dont sound like a parrot but... Review: I first read this book when I was 15, but it's only now after reading it again a year later that I see the obvious talent in Evan's writing... The Horse Whisperer is simply amazing. I am a keen rider, but I did not enjoy this book because it was based around horses and to be honest, I'd have enjoyed it just as much if it was based around almost anything [*Don't get me wrong, the book was packed full of equine action which was surprisingly accurate and descriptive and might I just add that that was the problem with the film. I felt that it was concentrating more on the action than emotion. I suggest to all to keep the film separate to the book and try not to think of them as the same story for they are both successes in different ways] Evan's raw ability to describe and express human feelings, love, guilt, shame, blame and most of all pain so truthfully just makes your heart physically ache for the characters and often "bring you to the brink and back" yet you will still be drawn to read on. He has a superb talent of being able to describe from each character's point of view makes it all the more interesting. I think another reason for the book's popularity is its ability to allow the reader to relate to the characters because the feelings and thinking is so real. I don't think that the character were made to be liked but to be understood. It offers such a wide assortment of characters that just about all readers can find someone to relate to... Looking at my cover I quote, "No. 1 international bestseller" and it truly deserves it. This book was not read because it was famous, it was famous because it was read. It is a true master piece. I hope to see more and , if possible, greater things from this fabulous natural.
Rating: Summary: Highly recommend Review: The ending of "The Horse Whisperer" did seem a little rushed, but overall I can't complain. I was glued to this book from the first page. I have to agree, though, that the sex scenes were a little overdone in description and mush.
Rating: Summary: a great read Review: This is a great book. The movie was a good try, but it can't compare to the book.
Rating: Summary: Simply the best horse book Review: Don't watch the movie before you read this book. The book is so much more better. I loved this book and I continue to read it. I can say no more than simply the best!!!
Rating: Summary: Read about the REAL horse whisper Review: His name is Monty Roberts. He is not a mythical person or fiction. A truely wonderful store about a boy who learns how to communicate with horse in their own language. The book is available at Amazon as "The Man Who Listens To Horses" by Monty Roberts. This real life story is much better than the fiction book or movie.
Rating: Summary: Approach Paper 7 Review: Nicholas Evans The Horse Whisperer was a very dramatic and mysterious book. It's a story about a preteen named Gracie, who lost her friend in a catastrophic and devastating accident involving her horse and a truck. After the accident, Gracie and her horse, Pilgrim, were afflicted in a terrible way. Gracie had to amputate her leg while Pilgrim was holding on to life by the thread. When Gracie's mother, Annie, finds out about this, she calls up a sensitive, rugged cowboy named Tom Booker. Tom Booker is a very interesting cowboy because he can feel and understand how horses feel. In the days of the Indians, they would call these special and mythical people, "horse whisperers." Booker really brings Pilgrim back on his feet as well as improves the intellectual relationship between a workaholic mother and a stressed, lonely daughter. I really enjoyed reading this novel by Nicholas Evans. Being a young adult, I felt like I could feel the emotions and the tensions that were going on between Gracie and her mother, Annie. The hardships and the overcoming of them really persuaded me to believe that this story is a one of a kind classic. Evans is a magician in writing novels because whatever story he writes turns into gold.
Rating: Summary: Thought-provoking sensitive novel Review: I very much enjoyed The Horse Whisperer and have just re-read it after several years' interlude. The characters and storyline were as crisp and original as I remembered, and it was a pleasure to read. I found myself truly immersed in the characters and their fates. Several other reviewers have expressed disappointment in the surprise ending; however, I feel that Evans' purpose in choosing this denouement was simply to remind us that in 'real life', the hero does not always ride off into the sunset with the love of his life. Very realistic, enjoyable read. Highly recommended.
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