You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
ipomoea 's review for:
The Black Stallion
by Walter Farley
Yes, the movie is better.
This was one I wore the covers off of as a kid, but haven't read in probably 30 years. Published in 1941, it's definitely a product of the times-- the Black is referred to as "savage" or similar SO MUCH, there's an It's-A Me, Mario-speaking Italian character, girls are non-existent except for Alec's mom, Alec starts the book sailing away from (I think?) being a missionary in India and departs from Bombay (now Mumbai), etc.
The plot, however, is fast and pure wish fulfillment-- a vicious untamed stallion on board Alec's ship home will only acknowledge him, a relationship fueled by sugar cubes. When the ship is struck by lighting (?) and sinks, the Black's trailing halter rope is Alec's life rope, towing them to safety on a deserted island, where eventually they learn to trust each other and, of course, run super fast all over the island. When rescued, the crew will of COURSE take on this unruly giant horse, and do it all for free, just because he's such a plucky kid. And then he just waltzes up to the neighbor and asks to use their barn, and the neighbor just happens to be a former champion horse trainer and jockey!
You know the rest-- a come-from-behind victory, dozens of books to follow, and a truly beautiful film directed by Carroll Ballard (the VHS of which I wore out as a child). I don't know if I'd recommend this book now to kids (seriously, poor Tony), but Alec really does live the horse girl dream.
This was one I wore the covers off of as a kid, but haven't read in probably 30 years. Published in 1941, it's definitely a product of the times-- the Black is referred to as "savage" or similar SO MUCH, there's an It's-A Me, Mario-speaking Italian character, girls are non-existent except for Alec's mom, Alec starts the book sailing away from (I think?) being a missionary in India and departs from Bombay (now Mumbai), etc.
The plot, however, is fast and pure wish fulfillment-- a vicious untamed stallion on board Alec's ship home will only acknowledge him, a relationship fueled by sugar cubes. When the ship is struck by lighting (?) and sinks, the Black's trailing halter rope is Alec's life rope, towing them to safety on a deserted island, where eventually they learn to trust each other and, of course, run super fast all over the island. When rescued, the crew will of COURSE take on this unruly giant horse, and do it all for free, just because he's such a plucky kid. And then he just waltzes up to the neighbor and asks to use their barn, and the neighbor just happens to be a former champion horse trainer and jockey!
You know the rest-- a come-from-behind victory, dozens of books to follow, and a truly beautiful film directed by Carroll Ballard (the VHS of which I wore out as a child). I don't know if I'd recommend this book now to kids (seriously, poor Tony), but Alec really does live the horse girl dream.