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collierkeithj's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
gwen1025's review against another edition
1.0
The language used in this story is beautiful, other than that I despised this book. The rape scene was so unnecessary and I was really turned off from that point on, but continued to see if the boy's father was found.
Just when I thought we were getting to some meaning the story would twist the other way. I was really confused why the boy marries a complete stranger with so many mental issues. This story was bleak and senseless.
Just when I thought we were getting to some meaning the story would twist the other way. I was really confused why the boy marries a complete stranger with so many mental issues. This story was bleak and senseless.
mbrandmaier's review against another edition
3.0
Very depressing story, too depressing even for me! Don't read within an hour of eating, the grisly descriptions made me want to hurl.
This will be the "On the Same Page 2008" adult title for Cincinnati this spring.
This will be the "On the Same Page 2008" adult title for Cincinnati this spring.
bourbonandabook's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
wendyclinch's review
3.0
A young boy goes in search of his father in the Civil War and finds him on the battlefield in Gettysburg. Very, very dark, almost mythological in scope, and beautifully written, but I had a few problems: 1) It was a bit too graphically violent for my taste. 2) The main character was way too philisophical for his age. I mean, he's 14 years old, and he reflects on things like he's 45. I found this annoying. And 3) Too many coincidences. The main character keeps running into the same people, no matter where he goes in Civil War Virginia. And even though he has no clue where his father is or how to get anywhere, he seems to have no problem finding him.
The book also reminded me a lot of "Cold Mountain," by Charles Frazier. Almost a bit too much.
The book also reminded me a lot of "Cold Mountain," by Charles Frazier. Almost a bit too much.
lostwanderer's review
3.0
I spent the day with the author at the library and he is super cool so I gave it 3 stars, but it was depressing as it should be and over edited
beedew's review
4.0
There are a lot of problems with the structure of this book. It goes on far too long, you are beaten over the head with the main themes and threads of thought and placing it in a specific historical context takes away some of the elusiveness that initially made it so appealing. Despite all this, the language is utterly stunning. Lyrical. Poetically sharp and visceral. I repeatedly got lost in the language, and for this I'm willing to forgive its other faults. I would recommend it only to people who love poetry and have a strong stomach...the story is a rather predictable dark, coming of age story. Nothing to brag about, but there are luminous passages of writing.
martydah's review
3.0
This was an uneven book at best. The prose was brilliant, if choppy, at times. The story line was certainly compelling - a 14-year-old boy sent out by his clairvoyant mother to bring home his father who's fighting in the Civil War. He's allowed to borrow a magnificent coal black horse, an animal so perfect that the reader believes there must be something supernatural about it.
Unfortunately, despite the title, the horse really plays a very small role. That is a major flaw in the plot. The other flaw is Robey's character. Given his mother's ESP and his father's eloquence, you would expect Robey to be an exceptional boy. He isn't. He's practically mute during the entire novel - we only 'hear' his thoughts and those are so muddled at times we're not sure what's going on. I suppose the point was to show the effects his situation on his mental state - the almost impossible quest, the horrors of war, the brutality he sees and experiences first hand. Still, I had a hard time connecting with him as a character. The girl Rachel, and several of the transitory characters, were more interesting and sympathetic that he was.
The best part of the book is the Gettysburg aftermath. Olmstead recreates the gore and tragedy of the corpse-laden battlefield with great skill. The scenes between Robey and his dying father are heartrending. It's too bad that the rest of the novel is not as masterful or as evocative as this short section.
Unfortunately, despite the title, the horse really plays a very small role. That is a major flaw in the plot. The other flaw is Robey's character. Given his mother's ESP and his father's eloquence, you would expect Robey to be an exceptional boy. He isn't. He's practically mute during the entire novel - we only 'hear' his thoughts and those are so muddled at times we're not sure what's going on. I suppose the point was to show the effects his situation on his mental state - the almost impossible quest, the horrors of war, the brutality he sees and experiences first hand. Still, I had a hard time connecting with him as a character. The girl Rachel, and several of the transitory characters, were more interesting and sympathetic that he was.
The best part of the book is the Gettysburg aftermath. Olmstead recreates the gore and tragedy of the corpse-laden battlefield with great skill. The scenes between Robey and his dying father are heartrending. It's too bad that the rest of the novel is not as masterful or as evocative as this short section.
nnowels's review
3.0
Read this for book discussion in Port Clinton. Good discussion. People liked the description, even as they agreed it was sometimes too gruesome.