The Horseman

The descriptions in this book offer a fantastic view of a way of life long gone. The slow, dreamy descriptions of life, hardship, commitment and attitudes were beautifully described and vivid and even if you didn't know some of the technical terms it all made perfect sense. Some of the group found the book too slow at the beginning but having persevered found the book to be a very interesting and absorbing read. The majority of the group loved this book and are looking forward to book 2. What a wow last chapter!

The reaction to this book was interesting as some people loved it and others found it hard going and could not finish it. The readers who enjoyed it found the slow pace described in country life as well as the detail of the tools and items used very relaxing. I personally was very involved with horses when I was young and still have a love of them so found the horse details very accurately and sympathetically portrayed. The story is set in the West Country and some readers enjoyed the local references and descriptions.
The readers who were not enthralled by it found it too slow paced. One reader thought that the relationship between the country boy and upper class girl was too obvious and not realistic.

On the whole more readers enjoyed it than didn't and several are looking forward to reading the second book of the trilogy.