Customer Reviews

Casey, the Utterly Impossible Horse

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4 star:		(2)
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Casey is a talking horse that will remind older people of the television show "Mr. Ed." He wanders into the life of Mike Bradford and his sister Gloria and since no one claims him, he stays in their garage. Casey is demanding, wanting to wear striped pajamas, a hat and sunglasses. Gloria makes him the pajamas, which he wears with pride.
Casey's is also a bit puffed up in self-importance, Mike takes him to a pet show and he believes that he took Mike and that Mike won the award for the most unusual pet. After all, Mike was the only pet boy entered. Casey also attends a birthday party and is involved in a high school play. Finally, a person from the circus spots Casey in the play and offers him a spot in the traveling circus. Casey accepts, although he has concerns about hurting Mike and Gloria's feelings. After Casey is gone, Mike and Gloria discover that they don't miss him, as now they can play with their friends all they want.
The utter incongruity of the talking horse that demands such absurd things is what makes this story work. Much like the charm of the "Mr. Ed" television show. Ed's demands on Wilbur were in a similar vein, which is what gave the show its' appeal. Children will enjoy this story as well.

"Casey the Utterly Impossible Horse" is now out of print. Too bad! Anita Feagles' book is easy yet engaging to read. It is only 80 pages (broken down into 9 chapters). Each chapter details a different scenario in the life of Casey and "his boy" Mike. The story is humorous and sentimental. As a young reader in the early 1960's this was my favorite story. I still have my original copy. I recommend this story highly because the character traits displayed by Casey echo the feelings and words expressed by many adolescents.

My sister and I never fought - until it came to who actually owned Casey the Utterly Impossible Horse. Ultimately, she got possession of our copy. In the end, we both won. The story of this ornery, spoiled horse and his pet boy is one that has stayed with me since I first read it as a child.

And once I was grown, with children of my own, I finally got my very own horse. He may not bang his head against the lawnmower when he doesn't get his way(he prefers the gate to his paddock), and he hasn't insisted on a pair of striped pajamas - not yet anyway - but he does have many of the same traits that made Casey so engaging, and so infuriating. My sister and I both agree that my horse is a kindred spirit to Casey.

I recommend this book to any child who loves horses, or who enjoys a whimsical story that will make you laugh out loud.

I wasn't a child who liked to read but I do remember this book. It was a fun story about a horse who was as onery as I was.
This is a great book for young children who love to read about animals and their friends.
My love for this book has followed me to this day. I even use casey as my chat room alias.