Customer Reviews

The Lady

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

McCaffrey's foray into mainstream fiction is a departure from her usual fantasy/science fiction worlds, but to a horse lover, it's every bit as successful. I've read my copy of this book so many times that the pages are literally falling out.

The Lady is set in Ireland in the early 1970s. It is the story of Michael Carradyne, owner of Cornanagh Stud trapped in a loveless marriage; his daughter Catriona, a girl on the edge of womanhood who must come to terms with her parents' conflicting plans for her future; and Selena Healy, a wealthy neighbor who has realized too late that her heart belongs to horses and to Cornanagh.

The Lady is a horse-lover's dream. When I miss my own horses, I open this book and feel a little less homesick. McCaffrey has created characters so real that I have to fight the urge to look for them when I visit Ireland.

If you're not a lover of horses, this book may not be for you, but if you are, I wholeheartedly recommend it

Anne, Anne, when will you gift us with a sequel to this wonderful story? As a long time lover of and collector of horse stories, I was thrilled to discover this book. It has everything I enjoy in a story...horses, a young girl with big dreams, a couple of lovers with great obstacles to overcome, and a whole background of heartwarming characters, with a few bad guys thrown in to add spice. As I said, Anne, Anne, when can we have a sequel?

I have enjoyed ALL of Anne McCaffrey's Sci-Fi's but I have learned that her occasional forays into other genre are refreshing and mind opening. As always her characters are well developed to the point that they seem like old friends and the story is well told and captivating from the first chapter. Even if you only read SF you'll like this book

The Lady is an incredibly vivid book: the startling beauty of Ireland and the innate grace of the horse are described with an accuracy born of appreciation for both. I too have read this book so many times it no longer has a cover, and it never loses its appeal. This book will make you wish, not only that you rode, but that you rode like an irishman/woman.

Not many authors can write a book for adults, and make the main character a child. Catriona, while only in her pre-teens, captivated my attention because her inner strength was apparent. McCaffrey does not skimp on characterization, even for the lesser figures. I want a sequel to this beautiful book about the relationship between horse and rider, child and family, husband and wife, and man and woman.

It seems almost silly to review a book I've read as many times as I've read The Lady; however, I find myself enjoying each new "read" as much, if not more than I did the very first time I discovered the book and thought I'd share my thoughts.

The cover (at least the American paperback version) does not do this book justice. The artwork gives the impression of a dated romance novel, which this book is not. There's romance yes, but beyond that is the rich beauty and history of Ireland, her people and their passion for horses.

From the very first words, as the reader follows her directions to Cornanagh, Ms. McCaffrey invites you into her world and makes you feel a part of the story. You almost expect to be asked to enjoy a cup of tea.

No character is introduced gratuitiously, each has a purpose and moves the action along. She introducecs a wide variety of flavors to add to the mix; tinkers, aristocrats, farmers and just plain old horsemen. Each have a texture all their own - you almost feel as if you know them.

My poor first copy is so badly worn that I've begun the search for another to replace it - until the much anticipated sequel is written. I recommend The Lady as a change from Ms. McCaffrey's usual genre and eagerly look forward to her next invitation to visit with the Carradynes.

The Carradynes ... the father, Captain Michael, his daughter Catriona who is almost 13 and her mother Isabel own a well known stable. To Catriona and Michael their lives seem to revolve around the stable and the horses. Catriona's life is all horses much to her mother's bitter disappointment. Isabel is determined to make Catriona a respectable, ladylike, socially involved, young girl even if that's not what Catriona wants. Michael gets tired of Isabel's ideas and soon the household is an unpleasant place to be, tense and strained. Fate decided to play its hand finally and Mrs. Selina Healy comes onto the scene. Poised, respected, beautiful, elegant, understanding, an accomplished horsewoman, and all that Catriona hopes to become when she grows older. Michael soon comes to apprechiate Selina's skills and Catriona comes to love Selina for all she is. But when Selina faces the truth how will that effect the atmosphere and when Michael comes to face reality what will that bring him? I have read this book so many times that the book is starting to become ragged and think that for anyone over 12 it will be a splendid read!!!

This is one of the best non-juvenile equestrian fiction books
around. Set in Ireland in 1970, it is the story of a family
who makes their living raising, training, and selling horses.
The story centers on the family's 13 year old daughter,
Catriona, and her relationships with horses, her family, and
the others around her. It isn't deep reading, but it is one
of the most satisfying horsey novels available - relatively
realistic, only mildly idealized (they don't win every class
at every horse show), with some light romance.

"The Lady" is a novel full of the magic of the Ireland countryside, with the warmth spread through a family who despite all odds bring eachother from circumstance of grief to triumph through the love of an outsider...the lady Selina Healey. This book addresses the Catholic churche's powerhold on this country, the struggle of women in their fight to be equals, and the love of a family that brings them through their strife, from a daughter misunderstood by her mother, blaming herself for her mother's death, to a father widowed, struggling to assist the woman he loves in forever leaving her abusive husband...trying to give her the power to break away from his stranglehold he has on her. Together, they find love and friendship and adventure in their strife, and move forward to fulfill the fantasy their hearts long for, to become one in their togetherness with Selina a welcome addition to their family.

This book also addresses the wonders of life on a horse ranch...the excitement of show jumping, the love between person and beast, and even the miracle of a mare giving birth to a foal, gracefully sliding into the world and struggling to its feat to take its first steps to find the warm nourishment of his mothers milk, and the heart warming love only a mother can give

I'm a Dragon lover, so when I saw this book, I wasn't sure if it would be very good. It went far above good. McCaffey shows us that she can write anything, and write it better than anyone else. If you like romance or horses, you won't be able to put this book down. I highly reccommend this book to anyone.

I read this book a while ago and never forgot it, even though I lost it. I now have found it again and I am ecstatic. I love this book, not only as a horse lover and a McCaffery fan, but because it exposed me to the world of Foxhunting (an equestrian sport, although I do it without the fox, drag scent)which I love. Great Book!