Gamebird
Well-Known Member
I thought Id write a brief review of this book seeing as so many people expressed an interest. I will try my very bestest not to include any spoilers
It is the story of the intertwining lives of three sisters who have been thrown together against their wills following the death of their father Edward Beaumont, an ex-Olympic eventer with a reputation for running a first class yard and training establishment (think Yogi/Lars Sederholm/Waterstock here).
Into the mix are thrown various horsey and unhorsey grandchildren, husbands, eligible young and not-so-young men and inevitably all the hidden secrets and long-buried history of a family who have tried to go their separate ways. One of the daughters, Bramble, continues the family eventing tradition despite personal heartbreak, motherhood and an almost crippling lack of self-belief.
This book is never going to win a Nobel prize for literature but it isnt quite as trashy as I was expecting (either that or my brain has turned to mush since my English Lit days
).
From the eventing point of view Id say the detail has been very well researched. The acknowledgments contain a lot of the top names in eventing (and yes, Lucretia, you did get your mention!
).
The stereotypes are all there the professional fence judges comparing the lunches at Gatcombe and Le Lion (of course I did the Europeans last year you know ); the aging perma-tanned professional eventer lothario; the chain-smoking grooms; the worst sorts of over-ambitious Pony Club mothers. There are subtle show-jumper digs
only having to lock your lorry doors when you go BSJA; and all the best lorries have pop-out living
. Just like real life then!
The odd detail grates: people consistently refer to Junior Regional Novices instead of JRNs. Theres a LOT of focus on eventing danger and deaths perhaps overemphasised, perhaps not.
Twists and turns abound. I really didnt guess who it was that was going to be killed half way through, but then I'm probably not as smart as I used to be.
All in all a good, easy read with realistic characterisation and an enthralling plot-line. A la Recherche de Temps Perdu it aint, but then it doesnt try to be or need to be.
What did everyone else think?
It is the story of the intertwining lives of three sisters who have been thrown together against their wills following the death of their father Edward Beaumont, an ex-Olympic eventer with a reputation for running a first class yard and training establishment (think Yogi/Lars Sederholm/Waterstock here).
Into the mix are thrown various horsey and unhorsey grandchildren, husbands, eligible young and not-so-young men and inevitably all the hidden secrets and long-buried history of a family who have tried to go their separate ways. One of the daughters, Bramble, continues the family eventing tradition despite personal heartbreak, motherhood and an almost crippling lack of self-belief.
This book is never going to win a Nobel prize for literature but it isnt quite as trashy as I was expecting (either that or my brain has turned to mush since my English Lit days
From the eventing point of view Id say the detail has been very well researched. The acknowledgments contain a lot of the top names in eventing (and yes, Lucretia, you did get your mention!
The stereotypes are all there the professional fence judges comparing the lunches at Gatcombe and Le Lion (of course I did the Europeans last year you know ); the aging perma-tanned professional eventer lothario; the chain-smoking grooms; the worst sorts of over-ambitious Pony Club mothers. There are subtle show-jumper digs
The odd detail grates: people consistently refer to Junior Regional Novices instead of JRNs. Theres a LOT of focus on eventing danger and deaths perhaps overemphasised, perhaps not.
Twists and turns abound. I really didnt guess who it was that was going to be killed half way through, but then I'm probably not as smart as I used to be.
All in all a good, easy read with realistic characterisation and an enthralling plot-line. A la Recherche de Temps Perdu it aint, but then it doesnt try to be or need to be.
What did everyone else think?
