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A review by kris_mccracken
Why Do Horses Run? by Cameron Stewart
4.0
"Why Do Horses Run?" took me on a journey I never anticipated. At first glance, the story of a man aimlessly trudging across a valley seemed an exercise in monotony. Yet, as I read, I was completely absorbed, as though the book had pulled a swiftie on me. The protagonist's battle with inner demons is mirrored in the wild landscape, which, through his sharp-eyed musings, becomes an almost sentient presence.
Cameron Stewart doesn't shy away from life's gritty contradictions and bizarre serendipities, inviting readers to laugh one moment and feel a pang of melancholy the next. What struck me most was the author's tender portrayal of the kindnesses that arise from chance encounters. There's an unmistakable celebration of the outlier here—the motley band of drifters, the old-timer who has seen it all, and even the young girl who, with her messed-up quirkiness, steals a bit of the limelight.
The deliberate pacing may not suit everyone, but for me, it had a mesmeric quality. It allowed the deeper themes of love, forgiveness, and the unbidden price they extract to unfurl naturally. This isn't the kind of yarn you rush through; it's more of a slow burn, a contemplative amble that invites you to ponder life's big questions along the way.
There is, however, one narrative choice near the end that left me scratching my head, and I'm still not entirely sure what Stewart was driving at. While it didn't quite derail the experience, it did strike a wrong note.
Still, it's an impressive debut that manages to dig beneath the surface of human suffering and resilience without ever becoming mired in bleakness. The book lingers, encouraging you to examine your own assumptions about isolation, despair, and the elusive art of reinvention.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Cameron Stewart doesn't shy away from life's gritty contradictions and bizarre serendipities, inviting readers to laugh one moment and feel a pang of melancholy the next. What struck me most was the author's tender portrayal of the kindnesses that arise from chance encounters. There's an unmistakable celebration of the outlier here—the motley band of drifters, the old-timer who has seen it all, and even the young girl who, with her messed-up quirkiness, steals a bit of the limelight.
The deliberate pacing may not suit everyone, but for me, it had a mesmeric quality. It allowed the deeper themes of love, forgiveness, and the unbidden price they extract to unfurl naturally. This isn't the kind of yarn you rush through; it's more of a slow burn, a contemplative amble that invites you to ponder life's big questions along the way.
There is, however, one narrative choice near the end that left me scratching my head, and I'm still not entirely sure what Stewart was driving at. While it didn't quite derail the experience, it did strike a wrong note.
Still, it's an impressive debut that manages to dig beneath the surface of human suffering and resilience without ever becoming mired in bleakness. The book lingers, encouraging you to examine your own assumptions about isolation, despair, and the elusive art of reinvention.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐