Customer Reviews

In the Presence of Horses

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

I have worked with horses on and off all my life. I grew up riding, having learned at the age of three from my beloved grandfather. I worked as a groom and trainer for some years. I can attest to the accuracy of life this author portrays within her novel. Even if you just look at the surface, it's a good book.

But delve deeper and you find yourself involved in the private torments of a woman from whom life has taken much, and to whom little was given. The plotline is sad, yes. The horses, some of them, die, yes. This reflects real life. Horses that we dearly love, sometimes, horribly, die bad deaths, despite our efforts. This book does leave us with hope at the end, that despair can be overcome, that life brings with it the seeds of joy, that the spirit of one beloved horse can be sensed in the struggle to live of another small foal. Take a chance, try this story and see...

The horse ascept of the story, mainly Part One, was very interesting. For those who enjoy horses and especially anyone who has had a horse as a part of their teen years will indentify with the bonding the main character, Nate, has with the unique horse, Twister. But after the moment of truth and the startling conclusion to Part One, the story is far too depressing. The theme of death is too heavy handed. Granted the issue of love and loss is important in all our lives. The theme seems to be encapsulated in Nate's eventual realization that, "without a willingness to suffer, we keep nothing in our lives." I would not recommend for troubled teens or anyone struggling with mental illness, specially depression, there simply is not enough hope or constructive responses to tragedy.

Written by an obviously capable horsewoman, "In the Presence of Horses" speaks to all who have ever felt alone on this earth. But for the powerful and vibrant presence of horses, the main character in this novel would have long ago withdrawn herself from the world, not just from the company of other people. For the discerning presence of one horse in particular, she makes an arduous journey back into a world of human selfishness and compassion. Mildly psychologically disturbing, this book truly tests the capacity to empathize. It is not just for horse people, but for horse people, there is an added bonus: Dimmick has masterfully and subtly captured what is perhaps the most compelling reason for our love affair with these great animals. Thirty-some year old Natalie simplifies the undefinable when, speaking of the old, wise broodmare, she states: "I want to be just like her when I grow up."

After reading some of the 'favorite book' lists here at Amazon, I decided to check this book out. Once you get past the first third of the book, it just gets more and more depressing - and then at the end, all hope and joy is totally dissipated.

I was hoping for an uplifting story involving horses, instead (as has been stated by other reviewers here) everyone dies or is in comas, there is no light anywhere here.

Thankfully, I checked the book out from the library, so all I lost was the time I spent slogging through this book.

Well what can I say, I totally agree with all you one star-ers. What I enjoyed most about this book was reading about the author's knowledge of horses.Anything else totally unenjoyable. I came to the conclusion that this book was about people that were miserable and completely content to remain so at the expense of those beautiful loving creatures, the ones that died needlessly, because there carer decided to go on a pilgrimage of doom and gloom. As if she needed to.You couldn't get a more depressing story.

The first part of this book is wonderful. The author's knowledge of the horse is apparent. Then the book takes a grave turn for the worse. I was very dissappointed at the character who I initially hailed for her bravery & stamina, but then turns and runs away (again it seems) when life gets too tough for her. I about stopped reading the book. What happened to the theory: If you fall off - then get back on! The author has the opportunity to protray a wonderfully strong (woman) character along side a spiritual & magnificent animal. It's too bad she didn't.

In The Presence of Horses is a work of art, an ansulutely brilliant book. For those who wish to read a nicey-nice book about horsies, this is not it. For those adults, who wish to experience the human condition, who wish to look at themselves with an unequivocating eye, this book is a must read. For writers and readers who wish to read exquisite prose, prose so simple, exquisite, and sumptuous, this book is a godsend. Oh, what I would give to write like that.

I DID NOT like this book. It kept shifting tenses, and oddly enough, the present tense indicated the past. It had very little to do with horses. The girl in the story is totally irresponsible, leaving a job with no advance warning. The end is TERRIBLE. Perhaps she is trying to leave it open for a sequel, but it was depressing and very poorly done!!!! This girl had more to work out than horses could help her with. I took it as soon as I had finished it to a used bookstore. It sure isn't my kind of book!!!!

This book disappoints. The characters are so miserable I found them unbelievable. Dimmick certainly knows horses, but it wasn't enough to hold the novel together.

Interestingly written in the terse style of the Pennsylvania-Ohio region, I found this book quite depressing. Death is a constant theme involving the characters and horses and it is not until the conclusion that there is a ray of hope. I would not recommend it to someone who is unhappy.