2 out of 3 apples: Will read another book by this author.
Horseplay, a novel by Judy Reene Singer was an entertaining, quick read. While it has neither the meter nor plot of great literature, it has a campier goal in mind. It is a pleasant, light hearted diversion; a spring hack down the road instead of a precision dressage test perhaps.
The novel’s protagonist, Judy Van Brunt leaves her cheating husband and a ho-hum life behind in exchange for a new start as a working student in an Olympic calaber dressage barn. Although the likelihood of a thirty-something who barely knows how to ask for a walk-canter transition being taken in as a student at a barn of that level is slim, Van Brunt’s ignorance in the fancy shmancy world of dressage, the German accented trainers and hoi poloi society provide an amusing juxtaposition and a needed device for explaining horse terms to non horse readers.
At times it is a bit repetitive and spends too much time trying to turn a clever phrase. However, by the middle of the book the author really hits her strike with the banter between the grooms, students and police as they investigate a murder at the barn. Everything from a daily diet of cheese omelets to a knife wielding Swedish chef are held up as prime suspects and I was laughing out loud. Horseplay is worth a stop. Chic lit + dressage barn for the next rainy day.
Tags: book review, horseplay
May 5, 2008 at 9:19 pm |
Thanks for the review. It’s hard to find books that are accurate about horses, have a story worth following and are funny. Will put that on my list for my beach reading.
May 6, 2008 at 2:59 am |
I am reading “Chosen by a Horse.” I hear it is a tear jerker, but haven’t gotten that far into it. So far so good.
May 6, 2008 at 4:04 pm |
I have tagged you with a fun little history tag. Come on over and check it out.
May 7, 2008 at 12:58 am |
Anne – thanks for stopping & commenting. It will be a perfect beach read.
Photochic – thanks for the suggestion. You’ll have to let me know when the water works start. I’ll add that one to my list too.
BEC: thanks for the tag. I have to agree with you on snack items; I forgot to list it on mine but I also love that cheese & salsa dip with tortilla chips. Guilty pleasure.