Customer Reviews

A Horse's Tale

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4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

Having read a few of Twain's books before I decided to pick this one up during a bout of insomnia. 99% of the book is sort of interesting, tells a story in a round about way and makes you care for the young girl and the horse she falls in love with. I'm not sure what Twain's purpose was here, a shock piece, maybe, on the brutality of old style bull fighting where a blindfolded horse was used virtually as a target in a bloodsport. But it was very cruel of the author to make us care about these two only to kill them off savagely in a bullring with the child cradling the head of her dying horse in her arms as the enraged bull charges.
Do NOT read this book to a child, do NOT give this book to a child. In my opinion it should have a warning label! That being said, understand that I'm a 56 year old man and this story haunted me for days.

As a Mark Twain and horse lover, I was naturally intrigued by the title of this short story and greatly enjoyed the story until the last several chapters. The gut and heart wrenching ending for anyone who loves children and/or animals is disturbing to say the least, and I don't mind tragedy with a purpose. This was so bad as to keep me awake for several nights after finishing. DO NOT read this to children!

This book certainly taught me that you should always read the reviews before downloading a book. I did enjoy some of the book. I actually laughed outloud a few times. I pictured a young Shirley Temple as Lieutenant-General Alison. It was somewhat difficult to follow all of the characters as both humans and animals talked. I do agree with the other reviewers that there wasn't much story about a horse and it was a disturbing story. I'm not a member of any animal rights group but I am a horse lover and a former owner. Twain certainly did not hold back and spare any horribly cruel details. My advice is if you read this book just stop at chapter 10, the story takes a major nose dive at that point. NOT A CHILDREN'S BOOK, I was always under the impression that Twain was a G or PG writer.

Mark Twain did really good on this story. It gives you a look into the life of a horse, not just the rider. Good read!

i had just started this book when i read the reviews. after reading that it kept adults awake at night for a few nights i deleted it right away. i am lucky i hadn't read past chapter 2. as a 11 yr old and horse lover i don't want to read about dying or blood. PLEASE DO NOT READ THIS BOOK IF YOU ARE AN ANIMAL LOVER OR KID.i am glad i didn't!

While browsing on Amazon for free books, I found this one. I enjoyed it until the ending. THIS IS NOT FOR CHILDREN! Nor horse lovers that like happy endings. It's a good thing it was free, and also that I can't write a note of disapproval to the author.

Soldier Boy is Buffalo Bill's horse, and the book is told partly through his viewpoint, partly in letters from humans and partly with Soldier Boy talking to other animals.

An interesting tale of the old west, with a young girl named Cathy who arrives from Spain and bonds with her beloved Soldier Boy.

I wonder if Twain planned the ending from the get go, or if he just wanted to finish it quickly...and finish off the main characters, too. I'd love to know why he ended the story in such a gruesome way (a bullfight in Spain).

Despite my love of reading about anything equine, I don't recommend this book.

A horse's tale? Really? The only thing about a horse in this book was half the first chapter, and Buffalo Bill riding. It switched people alot, so me, a ten yr old little girl could'nt keep up. So, if you were planning to let your little girl to read this, DROP IT! I could'nt understand half the big kid words!

i should have read the reviews i hated this book it has a horribe ending i HATE this book if you want to read a good horse book i would reccomend Brigadier:Gentle hero its SO sweet