Horse Tales

[Dark Muse]

I have to admit that I love a good horse story. Though it may not always be the most highbrow literature I am a sicklier just about any book about horses. I love horses, and I love riding and working with the animals. Though I do not own any of my own, it is my dream to do so one day.

I think some of the best horse writers that I have come across are of course the best of the best in my book Walter Farley writer of the Black Stallion series. Even though it has been a long time sense I have read them, they still ring so vivid in my mind and have a strong emotion affect upon me. His books really came to life for me and drew me into the wonderful story of a magnificent horse.


Marguerite Henry, though I have not read all of her books, I have read many of them and they are good stories, though it has been a while.

Of course I cannot forget Black Beauty by Anna Sewell and another story that runs along the same lines as Black Beauty is Blitz by Hettty Burlingame Beatty

Also enjoyed El Blanco The Legend of the White Stallion by Rutherfort Montgomery

The most recent I have read is Thunderhead by Mary O'Hara and I thought this was a good story, and it was interesting how it sort of went back and forth between the perspective of the horse, and the perspective of the people.

[ponypal772]

i love horses too. I own a black arabian of my own. Have you seen the movie Black Beauty? I think you would really like it. As for books... I'm not sure.

[Dark Muse]

I think I did see the movie a long time ago

[Jozanny]

Equus most powerfully affected me, the play written in this genre, if horse stories are a genre.

[Dark Muse]

Ooh that sounds interesting. I will look into it

[Jozanny]

Ooh that sounds interesting. I will look into it

I love Richard Burton, what can I say:). Even in a bad movie, I love Richard Burton. The little I know of what 1984 is about is because it was Burton's last film and I can't help it, I love Richard Burton. They don't make star actors like Burton anymore...., but I think he had a certain fondness for horses too.

[AuntShecky]

I like horses also, especially long shots that come in!
I kid, I kid.
I'm not a fan of mysteries, especially, but I do admire the works of the former jockey, Dick Francis.

[Dark Muse]

I have read one of his books, and it was not too bad.

[Jozanny]

The only other narratives I can think of are movie adaptations.

A Man Called Horse, with Richard Harris, was based on a short story in the 50's, but I don't know the original text, and the movie, as a conceptional piece, has been troped any number of times since Tarzan.

Then there is National Velvet and Horse Whisperer--and with the last, I wonder if the original novel might be worth a look. The movie took a stab at having some ambition.

[pussnboots]

I love horses as well. I've read some pretty good horse stories although I can't remember the names of them at this moment. I'll have to search thru my books. I had read the Horse Whisperer before I saw the movie. The book was pretty good

[Dark Muse]

Then there is National Velvet and Horse Whisperer--and with the last, I wonder if the original novel might be worth a look. The movie took a stab at having some ambition.

I liked the movie National Velvet, though it had been a long time sense I saw it. I got tricked into seeing Horse Whisperer, becasue it had horse in the titile LOL, but than the movie was a bit too romancy for my tastes.

[kasie]

I think I'd be a bit careful with Equus, DM - if I remember rightly, the horses do not fare very well in it.

[Jozanny]

I think I'd be a bit careful with Equus, DM - if I remember rightly, the horses do not fare very well in it.

I do not dispute this kasie, and it has been a long time since I saw the Burton/Firth adaptation, but for me, the play was an extremely powerful and moving metaphor. I can only speak for myself, but the play pushes boundary lines, and this is the kind of theater and literary artistic tropes I love best, authors who can push, really push, and not fear to hold suffering up before us.

Even discussing Equus makes me desire to see it again. While I skimmed Wiki for reference, I saw it was in revival with the Harry Potter actor.

[kasie]

Yes, apparently Daniel Radcliffe gave quite a good account of himself in it,

I felt I ought to warn DM because I think she is a horse-lover and the cruelty to the horses, while part of the powerful drama of which you speak, might well upset her - Black Beauty it is not!

[Jozanny]

Yes, apparently Daniel Radcliffe gave quite a good account of himself in it,

I felt I ought to warn DM because I think she is a horse-lover and the cruelty to the horses, while part of the powerful drama of which you speak, might well upset her - Black Beauty it is not!

You're right. I should have qualified that when I threw the play into the ring. I'm sorry.:blush:

[Dark Muse]

I do apperciate the warning. And if I decide to look into that one, I will do so keeping that in mind.

[Whifflingpin]

"Tschiffely's ride" by - er - Tschiffely. One of the horsey classics.

[Kafka's Crow]

Equus is a powerful play but like any other Peter Shaffer play, it is cruel. There is religious undertones and cruelty to the horse is an integral part of the religious symbolism. I love Peter Shaffer. I have read Five Finger Exercise, The Royal Hunt of the Sun, Amadeus and Equus and senseless, needless and totally avoidable destruction of the innocent in all these plays leaves you absolutely dumbfounded.

I saw another book in the bestsellers list of my local supermarket. It is called Seabiscuit apparently a new book on the legendary racehorse:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Seabiscuit-Story-Racehorse-Stranger-Than/dp/0007241747/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1218923270&sr=8-4

[Dark Muse]

I saw the movie Seabiscuit and it was pretty good. I think I have the book around here, I am just so bad about reading books after I have seen the movie first.

[Erichtho]

Perhaps Farewell, Gülsary by Aitmatov?