Customer Reviews

Sweet William: A Memoir of Old Horse

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

 

 

I did not expect a po-mo Black Beauty. I did love the prose. Poetic, indulgent, everything a reader longs for. However you feel about this book, the prose is quite lucious and mouthwatering, but the story bogs down, too quickly, like the scene where the horse is mired, this reader feels the author has let the Don Quixote/Sancho Panza charactors of Master and Ralph run away with him, not unlike the protagonist in the earlier part of the book. What is lost is more than the 20 years abreviated when William jumps from race horse to "for hire" horse. In fact a lot of this is lost to the weediness of the final stop at Master's house. I think that there could have been a period of time where he is retrained, sent to show jumping, sent to a riding school (briefly, and unimaginably dramatic scene which is rather short.) then to the final devolvement to the ranch. What a missed opportunity!!! The problematic life of not-so-successful showjumpers, as they travel down the ranks, 'bute, polling, electric shock...such a missed chance to make the reader see what happens in that realm. Then the school horse, for in fact, an Off Track thoroughbred, esp. with his temper would not be working as a rental horse, not without some serious retraining. By the time a horse gets there he is broken down from other work. No matter how fiery or docile. Nope, the hacking around rings day in and out in a schooling arena, would be one way. So by the time we meet Master and Ralph the plot is forshortened and the author becomes self indulgent, even at the expense of the protagonist. Does he return, in the end, to any sort of sentiment? Of course. It is mixed, memory always is a punishing weak thing. I suggest that this book has merit, but the lowness of Ralph and the naivety of the Master are too artless. Sweet William's father fixation is also without a doubt liberty with the horses mind that was an embarassment to read. Worse the way he wrote about women, mysogynistic and not very insightful about either the horses mind or the woman's. Clearly an outsider looking in. Whether he wants it to show or not. I think perhaps "perfect prose" becomes a ticket to not really understanding your subject. ... As someone who has trained horses and riders, this book does a disservice to horses. And it did not take to task the people who are out there training and riding. It did of course, make a few buffoons and ogres but the lack of understanding of training came through. And that's a disservice to the reader.

This is "Black Beauty" for adults (rated "R" for violence and sexuality)! It captures eloquently the life of a thoroughbred horse from birth through his struggle to find life after the racetrack. Although it is written from the horse's point of view, it isn't at all corny or juvenile. The author has drawn an accurate picture not only of horses in general, but of that unquenchable spirit that is only found in the thoroughbred breed. "Horsiness" aside, the book does superb characterizations of all players, from the women who influenced the horse's life as a baby to the wonderful old man who owns him in his old age. You DON'T have to be a horse lover to enjoy the story. It has everything from rage and violence to deep sensuality to simple pleasures to a poignant description of old age and dying.

I have to say this is my favorite book of all time. I opened the book at a local bookstore and after the first paragraph I knew I had to buy it. Oldhorse is a vivid character and you will never forget him. Read this one 4 or 5 times! NEIGH!!

Before I read Sweet William, I wondered if it would be too sad to read as a horse-lover -- fiery thoroughbred destined for a life of struggle and misfortune? Not so. Sweet William/Old Horse had me in stitches of laughter, tears of joy, tears of heartache, and all thoroughly enjoyable. Hawkes drew me in and took me on a beautiful adventure, and I loved it.

Along the lines of Black Beauty. Can't miss if you love horses. It is a little sad but makes you think of a horse's life.

Briliant insight into the metaphor of the animal as being human. Expertly developed to serve as an insight to the mechanisms of human behavior. Each time I read it I learn and enjoy it more. I recommend it to all lovers of the "equine". As always Hawkes is in command page by page and word by word.