Ludo and the Star Horse (Modern Classics) [Paperback]

Mary Stewart (Author)

Book Description

Series: Modern Classics

One night when Ludo is home alone, his family's only horse, Renti, escapes from the stable. Overcome with guilt and fear, Ludo follows Renti out in to the snow, and before long the pair find themselves in the House of the Archer, a gateway to the Zodiac. Here, the Archer tells Ludo that Renti is a Star Horse, and has chosen to return to his own kind. Ludo, says the Archer, may keep faith with Renti and accompany him, or, if he prefers, return home. Ludo decides that he must repay Renti's years of loyal service, and so the pair set off on a journey through the houses of the zodiac, or 'Star Countries'. They must pass through all twelve before catching the sun - but Ludo soon realises that many of the house rulers are less than hospitable. Dismissed by the imperious goat, chased by the crab, taunted by the bloodthirsty twins...theirs is a perilous and unpredictable journey...

Editorial Reviews

Review

LUDO AND THE STAR HORSE 'Sets Mary Stewart well on the rungs of the ladder of distinction in children's literature ...' -- JUNIOR BOOKSHELF LUDO AND THE STAR HORSE 'Superbly and movingly told, worthy of Hans Andersen.' -- FINANCIAL TIMES LUDO AND THE STAR HORSE 'Behind the formal structure of this exciting tale, with its echoes of myth and legend, there is a sure sense of the dignity of human life.' -- SUNDAY TIMES

About the Author

Mary Stewart is the author of THE CRYSTAL CAVE, THORNYHOLD, ROSE COTTAGE and many other novels which make her one of the widest read novelists in the world. Lady Stewart is married to the Emeritus Professor of Geology of Edinburgh University. She and her husband have retired from Edinburgh and now live in the West Highlands of Scotland.

Product Details

• Paperback: 166 pages
• Publisher: Hodder Childrens (December 6, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0340796596
• ISBN-13: 978-0340796597
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,421,609 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mart Stewart, one of the most popular novelists writing today, was born in Sunderland, County Durham, England. After boarding-school, she recieved a B.A. with first class honors in English Language and Literature from Durham University and went on for her M.A. Later she returned to her own University as a Lecturer in English. She married in 1945. Her husband is Sir Frederick Stewart, who is Chairman of the Geology Department at Edinburgh University, and a Fellow of the Royal Society.Mary Stewart's career as a novelist began in 1954 with the publication of Madam, Will You Talk? Since then she has published fifteen successful novels, including The Last Enchantment, the third book of the magical trilogy about the legendary enchanter Merlin and young Arthur. Her books for young readers, The Little Broomstick (1971) and Ludo and the Star Horse (1974), quickly met with the same success as her other novels. In 1968, she was elected Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts. In 1971, the Scottish Chapter of the International PEN Association awarded her the Frederick Niven prize for the The Crystal Cave. In 1974, the Scottish Arts Council Award went to Ludo and the Star Horse.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful tale of a horse, a boy, and a magical adventure, June 9, 2003

By 

Melissa Cavanaugh "Afleet Alex fan" (Baltimore, MD - USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ludo and the Star Horse (Hardcover)

Amongst Ludo's people, there's a special breed of horse chosen to draw the chariot of the sun. Ludo's horse is getting old, and one day, it breaks out of its barn. Ludo follows his horse and stays by his side through adventures and perils as they encounter personifications of the 12 Zodiac signs on the way to a meeting with Destiny.

A charming story, I read it as a child, a teenager, and an adult, and I've enjoyed it each and every time.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The journey of Ludo and the Star Horse, January 15, 2004

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Ludo and the Star Horse (Hardcover)

I like this book because a horse is in the story and I like horses.This story is about a guy named Ludo. He is on a jorney with his horse.They go through woods,rivers and many more places.They go into trouble with other animals but they survive.
This book takes place in the woods,river and the zodiac.The name ''zodiac'' is the title that in the ancient world was given to an imaginary belt or track in the sky,which lies along the path of the sun.All planets lie within this belt.
I would recommend this book to people 8-12 that like to read about horses.Older people might think it's for younger kid.

5.0 out of 5 stars Educational with a little brainwork..., December 8, 2010

By 

Overlord Draeiros Nyriox "O.D. Nyriox" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ludo and the Star Horse (Modern Classics) (Paperback)

When they speak of Bavaria, they are speaking of Germany, so the story can be used to compare the thinking of a poor German boy and the thinking of a Scottish lady--like the writer. Mixed in is a way of learning of the Greek mythology of the Zodiac. Overall, fun and educational.