Customer Reviews

The Heavenly Horse from the Outermost West

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I owned this book since i was about nine and i've read it about 20-30 times, it never gets old. it isn't anywhere near my usual genre as i much prefer horrors but this really was the greatest book i have ever read. At first it seemed to be a simple flighty fantasy tale but i soon became too caught up in Duchess, The Dancer, Susie, El Arat and all of the others, i couldn't put it down, the book is so deep and goes onto so many levels, i suppose you have to be a horse liker to appreciate it but having lost it i would love to get hold of it again as the plot and storyline and the bordering on believable fantasy are all so captivating...

Y'know, there's always that one impulse book that you buy, and this one is mine. You should never judge a book by its cover, but if you see this cover you'll know why I did. It turned out to be a wonderful story reminiscent of Watership Down and that sort of style ( animals talking to one another, sharing myths, group heirarchy, & so on) but I thought it was much more interesting. The characters in these horses' myths actually live and pose a real threat to them. I read it in two days and set out the third to find the sequel.

My first reaction to seeing this book's title was to wonder what the author was thinking. It didn't sound particularly inspiring. I pulled the book off its shelf at the used bookstore I found it in, and immediately regretted my first impression. The cover art suggests a story far darker and deeper than you would expect from the book's title, and a Tolkien-esque epic scale. I bought it without another thought.

Sure enough, this was no children's book. What Richard Adams did for rabbits in Watership Down, Mary Stanton does here with her horses. The antagonists are truly evil in ways most storybook villians only aspire to, and the equine mythology/religion thoroughly detailed. My only disappointment was in thinking this masterpiece was a one-shot wonder, a belief that was thankfully proven wrong by the discovery of this book's more epically titled sequel, "Piper at the Gate"

NOT for young children (say, under 13). Anor the Executioner will give them the screaming meemies, and Anor's master (the equine analog to the devil) will give them nightmares (no pun intended) for weeks. But a MUST READ for anyone over the age of 13, whether you like horses or not.

NOTE: Due to the dark and supernatural nature of the storyline and antagonists, I'm tempted to catagorize this one under "anthropomorhpic/horror" instead of fantasy.

I came across this book in the library when I was 11 years old. I just had to find me a copy. To this day I look at my horses with a different perspective. The fact Mary Stanton made these horses love, hurt, and the sacrifices they all made to be free, is one touching look at the animal itself. I had always wished there was more to this beautiful animal and her book made my dream become a reality. Even though it is a fantansy, I am hooked on a wonderful book that I have read over 20 times, AND IT NEVER GETS OLD!!!! If you ever thought there were more to the horse, and that there is a higher being for every animal to look up to, this a perfect book for anyone.

This is a truly epic read.
I would even venture that people who have no interest in horses should pick it up and get stuck in.

Like most of the reviwers here, i was first introduced to it as a teenager and have gone back to it countless times since.

Anyone that enjoyed Watership Down, or indeed epics such as The Hobbit, should consider getting hold of a copy (i've just purchased my second copies of both 'Heavely Horse' and 'Piper' - the urge has come to read tham again and just i can't wait long enough to pick up my original copies from my mums house!)

One thing i don't understand is why an reputable-but-edgy animation studio (Blue Sky, or Brad Bird - are you reading this?) has not spotted this book's potential and made a film out of it. One reason could be that some of the characters are truly terrifying, and they would find it difficult to rate as a result (yes boys, there's plenty of eerie - not to mention downright horrific - stuff happening here; so, as many readers have mentioned, don't let the title put you off!)

Finally, for the benefit of those that are not overly keen on the fantasy genre (of which i am one!), it should be mentioned that this book is not purely fantastical. It has a strong grounding in reality and day-to-day issues such as animal cruelty. This make it all the more compelling.

Read it.

This book was amazing. I loved horses to begin with, but after reading Mary Stanton's work of art, my love for them grew. Her novel showed me a new way of looking at the lives of horses and helped me in my own writings. This book is a MUST for any horse lover.

I never read a beter book than this i have read it for maybe a hundreds times ,as groom i realy respect the author for letting the horses in their on right instead as human characters, Valentyn Los International,groom.

This book is amazing! I got it when it was new and have read it hundreds of time since then. The horses don't seem human, but suddenly you understand why they do what they do. I have heard that the author never intends to write another book for this series, I wish that this wasn't true. The ending of Piper at the gate was too loose. I love these books and hope to some day see another.

This is a book worth looking for. It is a fascinating tale told from the horses' point of view. I was immediatealy taken into their world and the horses' struggle between good and evil. I also recommend the sequal Piper at the Gate. Altough it is a much darker tale, it is as good and as compelling as the first. Mary Stanton , if you're reading this please write more!

Mary Stanton appears to know horses, thier mannerisims and body language as well as thier incrediably individual personalities. As a horsewoman of 30 years I can honestly say, if you want to know alot about what horses are like, read this book. Of course there is alot of fantasy also but mixed nicely with reality of the pecking order within the herd and mannerisms. I don't think I have read a book of this caliber about horses ever! I have to find copies for all my horse lover friends. This book is a must have for anyone who loves and admires horses! I won't loan my copy to anyone and insist it stays within my sight! I hope they put it back on the presses so everyone can enjoy it! My eight year old daughter is mesmerized by it!