Horse Heaven (Ballantine Reader's Circle)
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
3 journalers for this copy...
Hardcover, fair condition. Ex-library book.
Book Description
Spanning two years on the circuit, from Kentucky and California to New York and Paris, Horse Heaven puts us among trainers and track brats, horse-obsessed girls, nervy jockeys, billionaire owners and restless wives. Here is the trainer of dazzling integrity and his opposite: a wicked prince of the tract, headed for still another swindle; here are the gamblers and hangers-on. And in an amazing feat of imagination, here are the magnificent Thoroughbreds themselves, from the filly orphaned at birth to the brown horse who always wins by a nose, a lovable "claimer" who passes from owner to owner on a heartwrenching journey down from the winner's circle.
All the constant excitement of racing courses through a novel that opens up a fascinating world even as it moves us with its exploration of wanting, loving, and striving; of our mysterious bond with animals; and, above all, of our profound desire to connect with each other.
Book Description
Spanning two years on the circuit, from Kentucky and California to New York and Paris, Horse Heaven puts us among trainers and track brats, horse-obsessed girls, nervy jockeys, billionaire owners and restless wives. Here is the trainer of dazzling integrity and his opposite: a wicked prince of the tract, headed for still another swindle; here are the gamblers and hangers-on. And in an amazing feat of imagination, here are the magnificent Thoroughbreds themselves, from the filly orphaned at birth to the brown horse who always wins by a nose, a lovable "claimer" who passes from owner to owner on a heartwrenching journey down from the winner's circle.
All the constant excitement of racing courses through a novel that opens up a fascinating world even as it moves us with its exploration of wanting, loving, and striving; of our mysterious bond with animals; and, above all, of our profound desire to connect with each other.
I'm very happy to report that this came in today's mail. It sure made my Monday more palatable. Shall read, journal, and release in due course. Thanks!
I just rolled the dice to find out that this book is next after my book from booksfree.com. A Knight's Vow by Kurland et al , c. 2001 -- link goes to blog -- see entry of Dec 31st, 2004.
I'm looking forward to reading this one. The only other one I've read of Smiley is "Moo."
I'm looking forward to reading this one. The only other one I've read of Smiley is "Moo."
I'm about 2/3 of the way through ... it's not quite what I expected .. however, it is still enjoyable.
I collect quotes as I read. These ones are fun, poetical, or even philosophical. Take what you like, and leave the rest. Note that these aren't necessarily the "best" in the book. These happen to be close to the spot where I stopped reading each night.
One thing Oliver Haskins, assistant trainer, liked about working for Farley Jones, trainer, was the cooking, Farley's exercise riders, male and female, were always trying out this and that. For example, today Jorge brought in a pot of chicken soup. The way he got just the right tang in the broth was to simmer the chickens with a couple of chili peppers, and then discard them. The way he took away the sting was to use barley instead of rice. p53
[comment: piece of trivia for you]
Deidre found herself scattering bad language around like sawdust, but she got no relief from it. p70
"I wanted above all to understand some things about myself and to stop making the same mistakes I'd been making all my life. I didn't want my past to dictate my future. I wanted a space there, a space of sitting out, a space between the past and the future where I might learn something. Those were the things I wanted with all my heart and soul." p178
[comment: talking of therapy]
"Well, in America, you can say anything you please in an Irish accent, and they love it. My cousin George can babble one inanity after another, and they cluster about him, nodding like peonies." p266
A half-hour later, she checked on Maia and finally got to bed. Actually, she thought, if you watched your baby sleeping through the night moment by moment instead of obliviously sleeping through the night yourself, it was all that much more amazing.
[comment: the language behind this passage isn't profound at all, however, I do agree with the sentiment. but my, i need the sleep, so ten minutes of it is enough for me :)]
-- another journal entry to come when I finish the book.
I collect quotes as I read. These ones are fun, poetical, or even philosophical. Take what you like, and leave the rest. Note that these aren't necessarily the "best" in the book. These happen to be close to the spot where I stopped reading each night.
One thing Oliver Haskins, assistant trainer, liked about working for Farley Jones, trainer, was the cooking, Farley's exercise riders, male and female, were always trying out this and that. For example, today Jorge brought in a pot of chicken soup. The way he got just the right tang in the broth was to simmer the chickens with a couple of chili peppers, and then discard them. The way he took away the sting was to use barley instead of rice. p53
[comment: piece of trivia for you]
Deidre found herself scattering bad language around like sawdust, but she got no relief from it. p70
"I wanted above all to understand some things about myself and to stop making the same mistakes I'd been making all my life. I didn't want my past to dictate my future. I wanted a space there, a space of sitting out, a space between the past and the future where I might learn something. Those were the things I wanted with all my heart and soul." p178
[comment: talking of therapy]
"Well, in America, you can say anything you please in an Irish accent, and they love it. My cousin George can babble one inanity after another, and they cluster about him, nodding like peonies." p266
A half-hour later, she checked on Maia and finally got to bed. Actually, she thought, if you watched your baby sleeping through the night moment by moment instead of obliviously sleeping through the night yourself, it was all that much more amazing.
[comment: the language behind this passage isn't profound at all, however, I do agree with the sentiment. but my, i need the sleep, so ten minutes of it is enough for me :)]
-- another journal entry to come when I finish the book.
Finished it about an hour ago. Thanks for sharing. Have offered it up on bookrelay.com
Quotes from the last 1/3 ...
Steam rose around it like a ghost. p391
This adoration partook all forms of human love that Deirdre was familiar with, and she knew their Greek names, too, because she was educated to do so. There was philia - that was friendship, such as she had felt with George. There was agape - that was a charitable, expansive sort of feeling, larger and more passionate than kindness, but of the same order. And there was that kind you love that you felt for horses - a holy wonder at their beauty and courage, and purity - Tiffany's physical perfection brought that out in her. And, too, there was, indeed, eros. That would be desire, wouldn't it? p459
Before he left, he had known exactly who he was - a man with vast agricultural assets, plenty of power in the state legislature, and a headache every day that grew right out of who he was like a tomato plant in a compost heap. p535
Quotes from the last 1/3 ...
Steam rose around it like a ghost. p391
This adoration partook all forms of human love that Deirdre was familiar with, and she knew their Greek names, too, because she was educated to do so. There was philia - that was friendship, such as she had felt with George. There was agape - that was a charitable, expansive sort of feeling, larger and more passionate than kindness, but of the same order. And there was that kind you love that you felt for horses - a holy wonder at their beauty and courage, and purity - Tiffany's physical perfection brought that out in her. And, too, there was, indeed, eros. That would be desire, wouldn't it? p459
Before he left, he had known exactly who he was - a man with vast agricultural assets, plenty of power in the state legislature, and a headache every day that grew right out of who he was like a tomato plant in a compost heap. p535
Sending on to New Jersey. It was caught on a book relay. Hope you enjoy it.
Just came in the mail today, thanks! I have high hopes for this book!
Oh, my goodness! Despite a worrisome and pedantic opening, the book was great. The horses and the horse owners were wonderfully wrought and the races were great.
There was one horrible near disaster and without spoilers, let me just say, I was as frightened as I would be for any Stephen King novel!
There was one horrible near disaster and without spoilers, let me just say, I was as frightened as I would be for any Stephen King novel!
Journal Entry 10 by Greyflank at Hunt Valley Inn, convention freebie table in Hunt Valley, Maryland USA on Monday, July 4, 2005
Released 18 yrs ago (7/8/2005 UTC) at Hunt Valley Inn, convention freebie table in Hunt Valley, Maryland USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES: Well, the convention table probably won't quite be set up yet, so maybe in the lobby... the place is full of horse motif so it might lend right in.
