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Summary: A gripping drama, a sloshy romance, and a tragedy
Review: Well, talk about differences of opinion! Just read some of these reviews/ratings. I will defend the book. It grips you at the onset, keeps you wondering, even through the romance and maintains a good storyline and plot. Yeah, okay, maybe some sideplots were tossed in to make for what the author thought would be a more interesting novel (and some of it works). Overall, this is a readable tale, with a beginning that should snag you, and pull you through. I do not believe the movie will be better.
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Summary: one of the most wonderful books ever written
Review: disgusted by adultry? a put down to women? wake up people. look beyond that and see the relationship between a mother and daughter. this book IS BEAUTIFUL! being a teenage daughter myself, i could relate to grace, and i know my mother could relate to annie. anyone who doesn't read this book because there may be a few punctuation errors will miss out on one of the most wonderful and moving books of our time.
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Summary: I thought it was one of the best books I read
Review: When I first bought the book I thought I wouldnt like it. When I started reading it, the beginning really grabed me and kept me interested. It was a very touching story. I didn't like the end though because it happened so suddenly and the reader didn't even lead up to the idea. I dont think grace will be that devestated about his death. Well I cant wait to see the movie I got so excited when I found out they were making the movie. I think Nicholas Evans made a great first novel.
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Summary: My mom made me read it...and I finished it before her!!!!!!
Review: I finished this book before my mom and loved it!!!! I don't normally read books, but somehow this book captured my heart and love for horses. This book is a must if you have a passion for love and horses.
Rating: 
Summary: Nice try, no cigar...
Review: I'm not surprised to hear that this was Evan's first novel. While some first novels are destined for greatness, this isn't one of them. It's mind candy that leaves a sour aftertaste. The plot is predictable and plodding. The characters would be right at home on the daytime soaps. And the ending? It's laughable at best. For Redford's sake, I hope the movie isn't as boring. From the trailers I've seen, though, I think I'll skip it. The book was bad enough.
Rating:
Summary: The worst book I have read this year....
Review: While the quest to help both a young girl and her horse overcome the psychological effects of a terrible accident could have made a good plot, the actual plot development is unbelievable. In addition, the dialog of the characters is flat. The characters are not very likable, and are difficult to identify with. For all the terrific press this book received, I would have expected much better.
Rating:
Summary: Better Than Most
Review: Although this might have been a typical love story that ends in trajedy (like most great stories of our time) this book has a more modern perspective. I think it has a well developed storyline despite some extras that might have been put in just to make the book longer. But compared to other novels in which I could guess pretty much happens all the way through I found this book to have many suprises and very few disapointments. The characters all seemed to be well developed a put into the story line appropriately. At first I found the ending a little disappointing. But if you think about life is some times disappointing and doesn't always end up as a fairytale. Even though many wish it too be. Each characters personality changes throughout the book to fit the storyline and the other personalities. I think this a great book even if you don't care much for horses.
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Summary: The novel is very touching, almost a classic, but not quite.
Review: I couldn't help enjoying this book. It was honest,beautiful and quick moving.The characters were realistic and flawed as all humans tend to be. Where it failed, I couldn't tell you, but it never quite reaches masterpiece. Regardless, it is a good read and an excellent way to spend an afternoon.
Rating:
Summary: Not Exactly Like Bridges of Madison County
Review: I am writing this review for a contemporary literature class and I thought that the book was excellent. But before actually writing this I read some other reviews and I was surprised at the number of people who compared the Horse Whisperer to Bridges. Except for the part about the romance between two people who knew that in a certain time period would have to resume their lives without the other person. Granted the scenes with Annie and Tom were beautifully written, it just wasn't like Bridges. The book aside from the love story brought to light the issues that children face when they witness a close friend or relative die. Such was the case with Grace and Judith, Evans describes an intense pain that was left with Grace after the horrible accident. The way that Annie was not going to surrender and let Grace give up everything that was important to her gave a lot of merit to Evan's style.
Rating: 
Summary: Contrived and dishonest - plenty of horse whisperers
Review: I read this book as it was recommended for my then 14 year old horse riding daughter. However I found it to be contirved and based on several untrue premises. Firstly that a horse would get itself into the situation that caused the accident. Secondly that a vet would not have shot it straight out and thirdly that only one Horse Whisperer exists. There are plenty of so called Whisperers (non convetional horse trainers) around. The last time a "Star" trainer appeared from the USA here in Australia he caused much amusement from the locals. Most of whom train their horses in not so dissimiliar ways. However accuracy aside I thought the plot and development laboured and not the sort of novel that should have been so heavily promoted if the publishing industry is to survive. It was a disappointing read, I somehow expected it to rise above its intial failings yet it never manages this. The kind of book that makes you think you could write one like it any day! If you want a good and well researched romance with plenty of emotional undertones then try Delia Falconner's The Service Of Clouds. Now that I could not write and I await with interest to see if she ever writes any thing anywhere as good again.
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