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ego8's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
allicatca's review against another edition
DNF after the first paragraph. I simply couldn't understand the dialect! I know this books is a classic and I was interested in reading the book. I even had a beautiful library copy with color paintings interspersed but I couldn't handle the vocabulary.
saranies's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book so much when I was younger. Horses, England, and scrappy girl overcoming odds. Just what I wanted.
nedge's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
imzelfish's review against another edition
4.0
Iconic, colourful, and hilarious.
I've read some reviews that say it's not funny, and I couldn't disagree more. But I think perhaps the old-fashioned British sarcasm is lost on some readers, if they're not familiar with the style.
The language, particularly the dialogue, is a little tricky to begin with but once I got used to it, it was easy to read. I tried to read it as a child but couldn't make sense of it - I think it's probably more for the older reader, despite being about a child.
Only loses one star for not following Velvet through the race! I wanted to experience it with her!
I've read some reviews that say it's not funny, and I couldn't disagree more. But I think perhaps the old-fashioned British sarcasm is lost on some readers, if they're not familiar with the style.
The language, particularly the dialogue, is a little tricky to begin with but once I got used to it, it was easy to read. I tried to read it as a child but couldn't make sense of it - I think it's probably more for the older reader, despite being about a child.
Only loses one star for not following Velvet through the race! I wanted to experience it with her!
seregelda's review against another edition
2.0
What a horror of writing! I could hardly understand what was going on in this book, either a fault of the author or the times it was written I suppose. Disappointing story as well.
sbt's review against another edition
3.0
This story is fascinating and, in my opinion, quite ahead of its time, but the writing is extremely choppy and difficult to understand. There were times when I couldn’t tell which characters were speaking, what they were saying, or even the difference between human and animal. The symbolism and themes Enid Bagnold includes are very interesting and definitely worthy of further discussion, however, and I would not approach this with the mindset that it is just a children’s book.
themadmadmadeline's review against another edition
5.0
My mom and I love this book. A little fantastical, but worth the read for a horse lover.
zarco_j's review against another edition
1.0
Unfortunately this has aged less well than other books of it's time. I wish I hadn't read it again as its spoilt my childhood memories of it. The character's are strange, especially Velvet's mother and Donald. There wasn't as much horse in it as I remember either. Ah well, time to move on to the next one.
faithmotta04's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0