Flying Changes: A Novel (Paperback)

by Sara Gruen (Author)
Key Phrases: quarantine barn, sea hag, bran mash, Smoky Joe, Eva Aldrich, Annemarie Zimmer (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Anxiety rules Annemarie Zimmer's days—the fear that her relationship with the man she loves is growing stagnant; the fear that equestrian daughter Eva's dreams of Olympic glory will carry her far away from her mother . . . and into harm's way. For five months, Annemarie has struggled to make peace with her past. But if she cannot let go, the personal battles she has won and the heights she has achieved will have all been for naught.

It is a time of change at Maple Brook horse farm, when loves must be confronted head-on and fears must be saddled and broken. But it is an unanticipated tragedy that will most drastically alter the fragile world of one remarkable family—even as it flings open gates that have long confined them, enabling them all to finally ride headlong and free.

About the Author

Sara Gruen is the author of the New York Times bestseller Water for Elephants and Riding Lessons. She lives with her husband and three children in a conservation community outside Chicago.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Harper Paperbacks (April 3, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061241091
• ISBN-13: 978-0061241093
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #29,568 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, realistic storytelling, April 12, 2006

By	E. Corbeau (New England, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Flying Changes (Mass Market Paperback)

I have nothing but praise for Sara Gruen's work. Although there do seem to be some minor equestrian-related inaccuracies (cleverly explained in this sequel), both Riding Lessons and Flying Changes are really great reads that focus on realistic, character driven storylines and avoid the much-overused cliches found in most contemporary horsey fiction. While these books will not win awards for ground-breaking fiction, they are entertaining and absorbing tales of real-life situations. The romantic subplots are true to life, as is the protagonist's relationship with her daughter. Other reviewers have noted that the main character's choices and behavior are often questionable, but this is precisely what makes these books an entertaining (and sometimes enlightening) read. We can relate to the characters because they are not infallible - they show errors in judgement and emotional reactions, but continue to learn and persevere throughout. I'm eagerly awaiting a third book.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Riding Lessons/Flying Changes, August 28, 2006

By	Cindy B "CBets" (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Flying Changes (Mass Market Paperback)

Sara's first novel and its sequel. I enjoyed both of them thoroughly. In fact, it was hard to put them down and I finished them both in record time.

Annemarie, the main character, is an almost-40-year-old divorcee with a tempermental, yet adorable, teenage daughter. They move back to her parents' horse boarding stable out east (from Minnesota) where Annemarie rekindles an old romance. Dan is also in the horse business, but at a different level. His organization, Day Break, is a horse-rescue mission for abused and at-risk animals.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the transition to a different, yet familiar, living situation, being a single mom, Annemarie's parents, her new boyfriend, and especially her daughter, Eva, take its toll on her emotions and she is her own worst enemy with little effort.

But, her biggest challenge is battling old demons concerning her relationship with the true love-of-her-life, her horse Harry, and the new charge that appears later to take his place. And when Eva shows signs of having the same passion for riding and competing as Annemarie did, her motherly instincts to protect her only child from possible physical and emotional injury continue to get in the way.

What happens in the short couple of years since her husband left her grabs at your heartstrings, yet pushes your cheerleading buttons to the extent that all you want to do is see her come to terms with her life choices and be happy.

As much as I loved Water for Elephants, I have to say I really liked this story even better. Perhaps because of the gender of the MC, I don't know. In any case, I highly recommend the read.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sensitive and Well-Told , November 3, 2006

By	L. Niemi "horsereader" (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Flying Changes (Mass Market Paperback)

This is a great story of a modern woman struggling to redefine herself after several life-changing events. Gruen manages to bring her characters - in sharp detail and with a complete lack of sentimentality - to a hard and inevitable denouement. She is also horsewoman enough to accurately describe the loving and respectful connection that can happen between horse and rider.