Customer Reviews

Chancey of the Maury River

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Throughout the years, I have read many "horse" books, but rarely has one gripped my attention as "Chancey." It is so much more than the typical horsey/coming of age story. The author captures the true essence and heart of not only the people characters, but the horse as well.
Told is the voice of the horse, Chancey, it is a tricky maneuver for the author, but it comes across beautifully. Truly, the only way for this story to be written. It is not a stretch to say this book ranks up there with other great anthropomorphic stories such as Black Beauty, Babe, & Charlotte's Web.
You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll cheer. I guarantee you won't soon forget these memorable characters long after you finished the book.

A "fire star" crosses the night sky when an Appaloosa named Chancey is born. Though his mother, Starry Night, explains to her frightened young colt that the appearance of that very star means he is destined for greatness, Chancey's life seems anything but great. Chancey is born albino, which is considered undesirable by a horse owner for several reasons. The condition of albinism subjects him to certain health problems. His owner, Monique, is very disappointed with Chancey's appearance, and they never really forge a bond. Starry Night, who had been Monique's favorite horse, dies while Chancey is a mere colt, and he greatly misses her love and companionship.

Still, Chancey leads a fairly comfortable life for a number of years as a riding school horse, introducing many young children to the joys of riding. He lives in a stable, has plenty of grain and hay to eat, gets adequate medical care, and enjoys the company of the other horses.

When Monique suffers financial and personal problems, she easily finds homes for all her other horses. However, there seems to be no place for an albino Appaloosa. Chancey is abandoned for months in an open field, left out in the elements to fend for himself. He loses a great deal of weight as he must forage for whatever he can find to sustain him, and is badly cut by the wire fence he goes through to get over to the Maury River and drink its refreshing water.

Eventually he is taken in by kindly Mrs. Maiden, who owns the Maury River Stables. Mrs. Maiden loses no time in placing young Claire in charge of the neglected horse's care and grooming. Claire is reeling from her parents' recent divorce, and restoring Chancey to good condition will keep her occupied. Claire and Chancey develop an immediate bond, each needing what the other has to offer.

Because of Chancey's aches and pains due to aging and his failing eyesight (he is now blind in one eye because of cancer), he can no longer jump in competition. Still, he is very well utilized as a therapeutic horse. Chancey is extremely gentle and patient with his newest student, Trevor, who seems very obstinate and rather prickly. It is quite a while before Trevor even agrees to mount Chancey.

By now Claire is a skilled rider, and Mrs. Maiden appoints her in charge of Trevor's lessons. Claire has big plans for Chancey and Trevor. Chancey will have to call upon his maturity and courage to be able to do the extraordinary things that Claire asks of him. For his part, Trevor must learn to trust both Chancey and Claire, and work extremely hard to obtain his somewhat unrealistic goal.

This touching story is narrated by Chancey himself, which gives the book a most unusual tone. The reader is often surprised to learn just what Chancey thinks and feels, and how he relates to the other horses and people he comes in contact with. CHANCEY OF THE MAURY RIVER readily encourages a serious look at horses to anyone who already has some interest in them.

--- Reviewed by Carole Turner

I never had a horse or went through the horse-adoring period so many girls do, but this story made me wish I had. The friendship between an abandoned albino horse and a grieving girl changes them both--they grow stronger, more resiliant, more willing to take risks, more generous with others. I came away changed too, moved and humbled by the long struggle of this great and steadfast horse, who teaches us so much about loyalty, courage, and fortitude--and about how ordinary creatures, not superstars, are the ones who, day by day, save the world by saving each other.

Chancey of the Maury River touched my heart in so many ways. Using an unexpected and unique writing style, the author writes through the voice of a horse. So often "Chancey" would say something about a human issue, and I would say to myself, "That's what MY horse is probably saying in that situation." This book helped me understand my horse better than any How-To book I ever read. It's sweet, realistic, and doesn't depend on death to create drama. Just LIFE.

I agree with the other reviewers that this relatively unknown book should be thought of in the same breath as Black Beauty and other children's classics. In fact I would go further and say that this is not a special interest book at all: your child does not need to be interested in horses (or even a girl) to love this book. The values expressed in the story can resonate with any child in any family. Certainly, there are no "horse" people in our family, and yet this book is one of our all-time favorites.

The storyline develops slowly but deliberately, building a compassionate understanding of relationships in a way that a child can understand and value. There is adversity, kindness, and perseverance. Although written recently, it is not a "modern" book at all. Truly a classic.

Chancey of the Maury River by Gigi Amateau is pure delight! Written in the voice of the horse, the story reminds me of a contemporary Black Beauty tale.

Chancey, an Appaloosa by blood, is born an albino and therefore not accepted by man or beast. His stoic personality helps him persevere even after his dam dies when he's a youngster. He is trained and has his work at the stable until the owner's husband dies and the woman needs to sell everything. Alas, Chancey is not wanted due to his coloring and he left alone in a field to fend for himself.

Fortunately, a kind stable owner brings him to her stable and there Chancey bonds with a young girl named Claire; both need each other and heal each other. They become close friends as they train together, ride the trails and compete at horse shows.

When Chancey physically cannot jump any longer due to joint and blindness issues, he finds a second career as a therapy horse at the same stable, with Claire and her mother assisting in the program. Some of the riders' issue are apparent and others are invisible to the eye, but all benefit from the riding therapy.

Chancey is soon matched with a sick boy who, at first, does not want anything to do with horses. Claire soon convinces him to try riding Chancey and the three form a special bond.

The emotional scenes are well written and the point of view of the horse draws in the reader right away.

A "Must Read" for any horse lover!

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