Customer Reviews

The Chestry Oak

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Young Michael is not an ordinary child. His parents are Hungarian nobility and his days are full of magic, from the stories of his beloved "Nana" to riding lessons. But it is World War II and slowly Michael's world begins to collapse. The family estate is taken over by Nazis and his father is accused of collaboration with them. As a small soldier in the war, Michael keeps the real truth hidden--that his father is working against the enemy--but pays for his love of the beautiful horse Midnight by losing all that he has loved.

This is a beautifully written page turner of a novel with lovely illustrations by Seredy. Michael, Prince Chestry, and Nana are memorable long after the story is over, and once again Seredy glorifies the life of the "ordinary" farmer, who she considers to be the true royalty.

This has been one of my favorite books since I was young, I still love it and I am 61. It tells the beautiful story of a child who must keep a deadly secret - that his father,the King, assumed to be a collaborator with the Nazis, is actually working with the Resistance. His father plans the boy's escape on the eve of a great bombing attack called down by the Resistance that will destroy the Nazi headquarters (with Michael's father within,) but Michael's love of a beautiful black stallion ruins his escape. Michael is injured, bringing on amnesia for a time. When he recovers the war is over, his father dead, still reputed to be a collaborator, the secret of his heroism in planning the attack locked in Michael's memory only. The story of his adoption by a young GI and his gradual healing, emotional and physically, in the arms of the young man's family in America is beautifully told (and shows the author's obvious love of this country.) Of course the truth about his father is eventually told, but he is glad to be a young farmer instead of Prince Michael. Of course there is some triteness and post war pro Americanism, but the writing is beautifully done and the theme is honorable. The book has lovely soft pencil drawings, many of gorgeous horses, but this is not primarily a horse story.

I read this book as a child several times, and have never forgotten it. It gave me a vivid sense of the beauty of Hungary, the richness of its culture, and the confusing incomprehensibility of war to a child's mind. It allows a child's eye view of World War II, without being gory or overwhelming. It's a wonderful story, full of a sense of hope, despite devastating losses, and of redeeming love. It should be a part of any intelligent child's imaginative world.

The Chestry Oak is a excellent book.

Set in Pre-war Hungary, (I think pre-WWI -- but it's been a long time.)it follows the adventures of a nobleman's son through the war. The story is told from the viewpoint of a small boy and the incomprehensible-ness of "War" is shown.

A story about family, patriotism, and sacrifice. But mostly about family , I think. There is of course, a horse.

I've just discovered that my library has gotten rid of it's copy, I and my mom are both upset. oh well.
Read this book!

This is a unique and beautifully written story. I'm so glad I hung on to my copy from the 1960s, which I got as part of a horse book mail-order club as a kid. It's powerful and touching and uplifting, with deftly drawn characters--and even the horse has a distinct personality, unlike so many of the other "Majestic Stallions" that run rampant through horse books. This book deserves to be reprinted and made into a movie!