Helpful Score: 1
Good read. Very absorbing.
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Barn Blind
Barn Blind
Author:
The verdant pastures of a farm in Illinois have the placid charm of a landscape painting. But the horses that graze there have become the obsession of a woman who sees them as the fulfillment of every wish: to win, to be honored, to be the best. Her ambition is the galvanizing force in Jane Smiley's first novel, a force that will drive a wed... more »
Author:
The verdant pastures of a farm in Illinois have the placid charm of a landscape painting. But the horses that graze there have become the obsession of a woman who sees them as the fulfillment of every wish: to win, to be honored, to be the best. Her ambition is the galvanizing force in Jane Smiley's first novel, a force that will drive a wed... more »
ISBN-13: 9780449908747
ISBN-10: 0449908747
Publication Date: 1993
Pages: 224
Rating: 46
ISBN-10: 0449908747
Publication Date: 1993
Pages: 224
Rating: 46
3 stars, based on 46 ratings
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio CD
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio CD
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review
Top Member Book Reviews
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I've ridden all my life, so I enjoyed this book from a horse person's point of view, but Smiley's books are emotionally wrenching, more so after you're finished than while you're reading, at least for me. Kate, the main character, is referred to in many reviews as 'obsessed,' but because I share a lot of personality traits with her, she seems more driven to me than obsessed. She is a person who carries on no matter what and altho for most people that would be a strength, for her, it's her greatest weakness.
The relationships between the 4 children are interesting and complex, and Smiley's dialog is smooth. Her books don't have some huge plot going on, but the day-to-day-ness of them sucks you in and by the time it's over, you're wrung out. I closed this book and the previous one I read, A Thousand Acres, and just sat there, stunned.
I recommend her because she writes very well, but these aren't books to read when you need cheering up. I have a couple more on my shelf and I'm looking forward to them, but I'm taking a break before I start another.
The relationships between the 4 children are interesting and complex, and Smiley's dialog is smooth. Her books don't have some huge plot going on, but the day-to-day-ness of them sucks you in and by the time it's over, you're wrung out. I closed this book and the previous one I read, A Thousand Acres, and just sat there, stunned.
I recommend her because she writes very well, but these aren't books to read when you need cheering up. I have a couple more on my shelf and I'm looking forward to them, but I'm taking a break before I start another.
Another great Jane Smiley book--in this one, lots of horse show stuff. I love her prose.
Genres:
