Half Broke Horses
Ratings45
Average rating3.7
really liked it right up until the end. all of a sudden, the protagonist showed her true colours and i was no longer interested in her story.
As with most of my books, I listened to this audiobook as read by the author. I really enjoyed the beginning, but did lose sympathy with some of the characters towards the end. This may have to do with Walls's autobiography, which I read earlier in the summer. At any rate, very interesting portrayal of life in the West in the early twentieth century.
I LOVED Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, so it took no convincing for me to pick this one up. The book starts by saying that it's based on a true story, but I guess I didn't read the cover well enough because I didn't realize it was based on Wall's grandmother. It wasn't until the epilogue that I had the delight of recognizing Wall as the descendant of this colorful woman.
The story moseyed along - literally. It could've moved at a much faster clip, but then I'm not sure that would've been at all representative of the story and characters told.
All in all, I enjoyed the story (and the telling from the voice of Lily Casey, Wall's grandmother). Made me want to go back and read Glass Castle through the lens of a more complete family history.
I LOVED The Glass Castle, and was anxious to read Half Broke Horses by the same author. It was a good read, but the voice was one that didn't engage me as much as Jeannette Walls' previous work. I think it was because there was little dialogue, and even though the descriptions of place and events were wonderfully told, I was somewhat removed. Still, having said that, it's well worth the read, and I'm sure there are many readers who would disagree with me. Jeannette Walls' grandmother is a compelling character, and her story contributes to a greater understanding of what American women's lives were like in the early part of the twentieth century. Reading like other art forms is personal and subjective.
Lily Casey is definitely someone I'd love to have a friend. Full of grit, she would've been a blast going cross country with. And I loved the dynamic between her and her second husband. They did everything they could to support each other and make each other and their children happy. I wish Jeanette's parent's had been a little more thoughtful about the legacy they'd be leaving behind for their kids. Good thing she had Lily's blood coursing through her veins. Strong gals those two.
Oh wowwww, this was one of those audiobooks that was so good I didn't want to get out of the car when I got to places. It's a “true-life novel,” written based on stories and memories of Walls's grandmother, Lily Casey Smith, who was a 100% badass lady. It's written in first person and she has such a strong voice, and I think listening to it read by the author brings it to life even more. Seriously a lovely, fun, moving read. (Or listen.)
A very quick read. Much like The Glass Castle by the same author, it is hard to fathom the conditions under which her family lived.