Half Broke Horses
Ratings12
Average rating3.5
15
Ratings12
Average rating3.5
The author offers a novel based on the life of her grandmother, Lily Casey Smith, who learned to break horses in childhood, journeyed 500 miles on a pony as a teen to become a teacher, and ran a vast ranch in Arizona with her husband while raising two children, including Rosemary Smith Walls, portrayed in the author's acclaimed The Glass Castle. Includes reading-group guide. Reprint. A New York Times Best Book of the Year.
Reviews with the most likes.
Oh wowwww, this was one of those audiobooks that was so good I didn't want to get out of the car when I got to places. It's a “true-life novel,” written based on stories and memories of Walls's grandmother, Lily Casey Smith, who was a 100% badass lady. It's written in first person and she has such a strong voice, and I think listening to it read by the author brings it to life even more. Seriously a lovely, fun, moving read. (Or listen.)
I LOVED The Glass Castle, and was anxious to read Half Broke Horses by the same author. It was a good read, but the voice was one that didn't engage me as much as Jeannette Walls' previous work. I think it was because there was little dialogue, and even though the descriptions of place and events were wonderfully told, I was somewhat removed. Still, having said that, it's well worth the read, and I'm sure there are many readers who would disagree with me. Jeannette Walls' grandmother is a compelling character, and her story contributes to a greater understanding of what American women's lives were like in the early part of the twentieth century. Reading like other art forms is personal and subjective.
