Among the many interests and activities which author Catherine Ryan Hyde enjoys, is that of horses. She is an avid equestrian and often posts pictures online of her horses. In addition, Catherine has featured horses in several of her books. The Language of Hoofbeats is one such book. This is my review of this fascinating and interesting novel.
Synopsis
Two of the main characters, Clementine and Jackie, each narrate the story, taking alternating chapters to tell their side of the events.
The story begins when Jackie and her wife, Paula, looking for a quiet life for their kids - a young adopted son and two teenage foster children - move in across the street from Clementine. Paula is a veterinarian and this move has brought her to a remote country area in need of another vet. Jackie is a stay-at-home mom for the kids.
Clementine is a terribly unhappy person who is so damaged by her daughter’s suicide that she cannot be civil to most people, including her husband. The husband finally cannot take her negativity any longer and he moves out about the time Paula & Jackie and the kids move in next door.
Clem has a horse named Comet who used to belong to the now-dead daughter. Comet is quite high-strung and has not been receiving very good care because Clementine is rather scared of the horse and the husband has moved out. When the foster teen Star, a quite unhappy girl herself, is drawn to and bonds with Comet and attempts to begin a friendship with the horse. Clementine, in her usual horrid fashion, resents the friendship developing between Star and the horse and chases her away from her property several times. Clem is extremely nasty to Star and also to her foster mothers, Jackie and Paula. Finally, not being able to stand the way the horse is neglected, Star steals Comet and they become lost. The real action in the story begins as Jackie and Clementine join forces to search for both Star and Comet.
Throughout the story, we also become acquainted with the other foster child, Mando, and the younger adopted son, and learn what happened to Clementine’s daughter.
Summary
From the book jacket:
When a troubled girl steals a horse, her foster moms are thrown together with their reluctant neighbor
The Language of Hoofbeats shows us the complexity of human relationships and points out how very relatable characters can sometimes be intensely flawed. But, by facing the scars they carry and the choices they have made, along with forgiving the regrets, a diverse group of people often can be transformed into a family. An extremely good read!
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*Book Review of “The Language of Hoofbeats” is written by Wednesday Elf
As I read this review, I couldn't help but feel tremendous sympathy for the mother who was left alone to care of her deceased daughter's horse. I would imagine it would be extremely difficult to see another teen befriend the horse. Sounds like a very gripping novel.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like many of the characters are in need of compassion. A very interesting premise that promises to take us on an emotional and, ultimately, satisfying journey.
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