Grown Up Horse Fiction-Recommendation!!

[IdahoRider]

I know most of us are always on the look out for a book that includes horses, that is tailored towards grown ups. I hate picking up a book, looking forward to a good fictional read with horses, and find it riddled with horse errors. Or super improbable scenarios: 12 year old rescues a Clydesdale/Gypsy Vanner stallion from the feedlot and they end up going to the Olympics 6 months later and win a gold medal in show jumping, with the girl riding in a western saddle because she wanted to feel close to her Dad who died in that saddle when a rogue stallion flipped over on him. We have all been there.

So when I picked up Catherine Ryan Hyde’s “Just After Midnight” at the library, I was skeptical at best. But…I ended up happy. The author ride’s dressage in real life, all the horse stuff was accurate (including how far away the food truck is from the barns at a show). The story was engaging, although perhaps a little transparent (for lack of a better word).

It was a good read. I thought I would recommend it, since you all get how great it is to read a book of fiction that gets the horse stuff right.
Sheilah

[Scribbler]

I have puzzled over this as a writer as well as a reader.

As a kid I loved books from the animals point of view and stories with accurate detailed horse to information (British pony stories).

As an adult I have not figured out how to write fiction about horses that doesn’t sound like young adult fiction in its emotional tone, if that makes sense.

I can see the horse industry being a good back drop for a mystery or thriller. And well written true stories are compelling, both in print and blogs. But especially on blogs the audience is specialized and the details too technical for a general audience.

But I keep coming back to the problem that in fiction for grownups the primary relationships are between people and writing about a relationship with an animal makes my characters sound 11 years old.

[4LeafCloverFarm]

I’m partial to Dick Francis, myself. I have a library of nearly all of his books. but they are crime/mystery based (typically) in the horse racing world, so not for everyone. He was a steeplechase jockey before becoming an author. I’ve always really enjoyed his books.

[SharonA]

@Scribbler

But I keep coming back to the problem that in fiction for grownups the primary relationships are between people and writing about a relationship with an animal makes my characters sound 11 years old.

Well, my horse makes me feel 11 years old, in all the best possible ways (I am 55.)

[Caol_Ila]

Jane Smiley’s “Horse Heaven.” She’s a fantastic writer and brings the horse-human relationships to life in a way that feels totally legitimate to any horse-person and doesn’t sound like it’s written for 11-year olds.

Also, Jilly Cooper’s “Riders,” in its own strange way. People I know who have been involved with pro showjumping tell me that it’s more accurate than it looks.

[Feliz]

Yep, I don’t go out of my way to ready horsey fiction as often it’s either ridiculously sappy and/or totally unrealistic.

I recently found an e-version of Blind Beauty by KM Peyton. I had low expectations as it sounded like it was going to be pretty sappy - but I really enjoyed it.

A somewhat different recommendation - Grass by Sheri S Tepper. It’s sci-fi, and doesn’t have an enormous amount of horsey stuff, but it’s one of my all time favourite books.

[fanfayre]

They’re mysteries, but there are 3 (4?) books by Leigh Hearon.
She’s an actual PI turned author and also has several of her own horses,so most of the horse stuff is accurate. Serious enough topics to not be young adult.

[alibi_18]

Peter Shaffer’s Equus.

[Rackonteur]

@IdahoRider

I know most of us are always on the look out for a book that includes horses, that is tailored towards grown ups. I hate picking up a book, looking forward to a good fictional read with horses, and find it riddled with horse errors. Or super improbable scenarios: 12 year old rescues a Clydesdale/Gypsy Vanner stallion from the feedlot and they end up going to the Olympics 6 months later and win a gold medal in show jumping, with the girl riding in a western saddle because she wanted to feel close to her Dad who died in that saddle when a rogue stallion flipped over on him. We have all been there.

So when I picked up Catherine Ryan Hyde’s “Just After Midnight” at the library, I was skeptical at best. But…I ended up happy. The author ride’s dressage in real life, all the horse stuff was accurate (including how far away the food truck is from the barns at a show). The story was engaging, although perhaps a little transparent (for lack of a better word).

It was a good read. I thought I would recommend it, since you all get how great it is to read a book of fiction that gets the horse stuff right.
Sheilah

Thanks for the recommendation. I too am always on the lookout for good horsey adults’ fiction.

Please tell me the mare is a TWH! It’s intriguing that her name is Faulkner’s Midnight Sun and not Midnight’s Something.

[shiloh]

Try the Jody Jaffe series. They’re older; they are well written and amusing. I think the author is a CoTh member and last I heard she was going to write another entry in the series.

[Magicboy]

I just started the Ryan novel and quite like it. thanks!

[RMJacobs]

@4LeafCloverFarm

I’m partial to Dick Francis, myself. I have a library of nearly all of his books. but they are crime/mystery based (typically) in the horse racing world, so not for everyone. He was a steeplechase jockey before becoming an author. I’ve always really enjoyed his books.

I got to meet him briefly at a book signing many years ago. He was very nice. I also have nearly all his books and reread them all periodically.

I like Jane Smiley too, for a totally different flavor. I rented an apartment in Paris for a nice long stay, and the owner catered to English speaking people. She had quite a library for her tenants, and there was a Jane Smiley book there. I read it and got hooked on her books.

Rebecca

[Foxtrot_s]

Rita Mae Brown - she is a prolific write of more than one genre but has real life experience as a Hunt servant and her books read as authentic. I liked her style as I’m not into very heavy duty reads. I like easy. (or Hunt master).

[atr]

I really enjoyed “The Dressage Chronicles” series by Karen McGoldrick.

[fanfayre]

@Scribbler
Now your screen name makes sense!!!
What do you write? I’m sure you’ve told us before, but I’ve misplaced that bit of info

[IdahoRider]

@Rackonteur

Thanks for the recommendation. I too am always on the lookout for good horsey adults’ fiction.

Please tell me the mare is a TWH! It’s intriguing that her name is Faulkner’s Midnight Sun and not Midnight’s Something.

No, she is a warmblood.
Sheilah

[IdahoRider]

@shiloh

Try the Jody Jaffe series. They’re older; they are well written and amusing. I think the author is a CoTh member and last I heard she was going to write another entry in the series.

I keep trying to talk her into it on Facebook. She says she has more Natty Gold in her.
Sheilah

[IdahoRider]

@Feliz

I recently found an e-version of Blind Beauty by KM Peyton. I had low expectations as it sounded like it was going to be pretty sappy - but I really enjoyed it.

K.M. Peyton wrote one of my all time favorite horse books as a kid. It was titled “Fly-by-Night” and I loved it so much that when I was a grown up and got into collecting books I searched high and low for a copy. Finally found a copy, too!
Sheilah

[IdahoRider]

@Scribbler

But I keep coming back to the problem that in fiction for grownups the primary relationships are between people and writing about a relationship with an animal makes my characters sound 11 years old.

In real life, for me, my primary relationships are with people. But my riding and barn time are also central to my life. Finding a plot that included horses and riding and barn life shouldn’t be too difficult. I know it is, but it shouldn’t be. Look at all the chick lit books that center around bars and restaurants. All McGoldrick’s Dressage Chronicle books had horses front and center (they just weren’t written especially well…I know, I know…my opinion only). Judy Renee Singer and “Horse Play”. Awesome book.

It can be done. And there is such a huge audience!
Sheilah

[chestnutmarebeware]

@IdahoRider

K.M. Peyton wrote one of my all time favorite horse books as a kid. It was titled “Fly-by-Night” and I loved it so much that when I was a grown up and got into collecting books I searched high and low for a copy. Finally found a copy, too!
Sheilah

That’s funny! One of my favorites was the sequel, “The Team”. I had to find my own copy as an adult.