Helpful Score: 6
An earlier book by the author of Water for Elephants. This is a much more simple book, but I enjoyed it as I love horses, and show jumping in particular. So any horse lovers out there will particlarly enjoy this.
Helpful Score: 6
I started reading this book but stopped after the first few chapters. There were too many terms about horses that I didn't understand and couldn't find in a dictionary, so I didn't really know what the author was talking about. Someone who is a horse afficiado or doesn't care about the definitions of words would probably enjoy this book.
Helpful Score: 6
This is a charming and well-written story. It's predictable, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The book follows a woman, her parents, her daughter and her parents' riding center. It tells a complex and heart-warming story.
Helpful Score: 3
If you liked any part of the book The Horse Whisperer, then you will definitely like this book. It is based on a similar scenario but the building of suspense, combined with the internal twists and turns within the book, keep you turning each page and you don't want to put the book down. Definitely a weekend read when you have time to read the whole book! I was quite impressed and will be looking for other Sara Gruen books now!
Helpful Score: 2
After reading and loving Water for Elephants, I wanted to pick up more of Sara Gruen's novels. I was sorely disappointed. Riding Lessons was terrible. So terrible, in fact, that I only read about half of it. Part of the problem was that the topic just did not interest me. But, it didn't have the great writing and descriptions that Water for Elephants had. It was simplistic and totally predictable. I felt that the characters where shallow and cliche. This is one of her earlier novels, and Water for Elephants shows that she's grown as a writer. So, I haven't given up hope yet.
Helpful Score: 2
I was not a fan of this book at all. Completely unrealistic and almost hokey at times. I saw Sara Gruen's name and I thought there would be so much more to this one.
Tammy P. (bookluver-in-sc) reviewed Riding Lessons (Annamarie Zimmer, Bk 1) on + 229 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Great read. A story about a women who has to come back to the home she ran away from. Where her father is sick, her daughter is upset and her horse farm is about to go under. But then she sees another red and white horse and she can't believe it.
Helpful Score: 2
Very good book. Very touching and heartbreaking at the same time. Read this book in one day because I had to find out how it ended.
Helpful Score: 2
Just an okay book. Annemarie, the main character, is hard to like, thoughtlessly irritating in her unwillingness to grow up or do any introspection whatsoever. Her mother and daughter are both unsympathetic as well. The book really did not come together for me until the last chapter or two. Mostly I just wanted to reach into the pages and shake some of these people.
Helpful Score: 1
Great book! Sometimes a tearjerker and well worth the read!
Helpful Score: 1
This is a wondeful book about riding and lifes up and downs. How family handles lifes left turns and how important animals we love can change them.
Helpful Score: 1
This is the first book I've read by this author, and it was really good. Well written, and an enjoyable story.
Helpful Score: 1
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I am NOT a horse lover. There were horse terms that I was not familiar with but this did not take away from the story, which had to do with parental and love relationships. Love of horses was the factor that tied all the characters together.
Helpful Score: 1
I really ejoyed this book. I have always liked books that have horses as part of the plot, and this one is no exception. Annemarie and Eva go back to New Hampshire to live at Annemarie's parent's horse farm. They move back because her father is dying and her husband moved out of the house to live with his 23 year old girlfriend. Her father has ALS, which is an unpredictable disease. Annemarie meets an old boyfriend, and a tenative relationship builds. Her daughter Eva is very high spirited and difficult to control. However, after meeting the three main women in the book, you find that they all act alike so the daughter isn't so bad. There are various horses that you meet throughout the book, and a little mystery is involved. I recommend this book for people who like Rita Mae Brown's horse books. This book makes me want to read the second in the set.
Helpful Score: 1
While it is obvious that Ms. Gruen has done some research on horses and equestrian activities, unfortunately the book reads somewhat like a checklist of her research findings. Because of this, I probably would have enjoyed the book much more if I were not an equestrian myself, since for me, the holes in the equine aspects of the story made the book as a whole less enjoyable.
The book opens with the terrible jumping accident that killed her beloved horse and nearly left her paralyzed, and the accident would be believable if it weren't for the list of the horse's fatal injuries: "...Harry's long pastern--the largest of the three bones between his hoof and foreleg--shattered into nine pieces." (This is believable, what follows is not): "His scapula, sternum, and pelvis were broken as well, but it was the pastern that clinched it." It appears that Ms. Gruen flipped through a horse anatomy book and picked out names of bones--it is simply not likely or reasonable that a seasoned jumper would sustain all of those injuries. The broken pastern would have been enough to require the horse to be put down.
Something else that is highly improbable is when the trainer, Jean-Claude, mounts a lesson horse at the family's stable, and proceeds to perform a series of dressage moves, which include a piaffe, which is believable, and then a capriole. A capriole is a very advanced dressage move performed by Lipizzan stallions in the tradition of warhorses--for a lesson horse at a training stable to perform the move is absurd. It made me think that Gruen attended a performance of the Lipizzan stallions, kept the program, and flipped through it to find elements for her book, no matter how far fetched.
Another disappointment for me as an equestrian came from her lack of knowledge about rodeo events, when her love interest and veterinarian rescues an Arabian from being tripped at Mexican rodeos, and the vet goes on to state how it can't really be banned since "cattle tripping" is held at most rodeos. I live in the West, have been to many rodeos, and have never heard of or seen an event known as "cattle tripping." There are roping events, but the least Gruen could have done is find out the correct names of the events.
Gruen's activism steps in, and a sense of preachiness seeps in when the main character's daughter, Eva, throws a fit about the production of the replacement hormone, Premarin, which is made from pregnant mare urine.
Writers have a certain obligation to make sure, even in fiction, that their subject matter is portrayed realistically, since most people's only exposure to things like FBI intrigue or equestrian events are only through the fiction books they read. Putting incorrect or improbable information out, even in the form of fiction, is irresponsible.
Determined to not let these missteps deter me completely, as I very much enjoyed "Water For Elephants," I kept reading. I may as well have not, since the writing is not spectacular, and the plot and characters are reminiscent of those in a Harlequin romance. The characters are all disappointingly flat, and the plot, while eventful (too eventful), was the stuff of made-for-TV movies, making the entire fiasco seem more of a puppet show for Gruen's pet causes than anything else.
After "Water For Elephants," I would have expected much, much better of Gruen than this.
The book opens with the terrible jumping accident that killed her beloved horse and nearly left her paralyzed, and the accident would be believable if it weren't for the list of the horse's fatal injuries: "...Harry's long pastern--the largest of the three bones between his hoof and foreleg--shattered into nine pieces." (This is believable, what follows is not): "His scapula, sternum, and pelvis were broken as well, but it was the pastern that clinched it." It appears that Ms. Gruen flipped through a horse anatomy book and picked out names of bones--it is simply not likely or reasonable that a seasoned jumper would sustain all of those injuries. The broken pastern would have been enough to require the horse to be put down.
Something else that is highly improbable is when the trainer, Jean-Claude, mounts a lesson horse at the family's stable, and proceeds to perform a series of dressage moves, which include a piaffe, which is believable, and then a capriole. A capriole is a very advanced dressage move performed by Lipizzan stallions in the tradition of warhorses--for a lesson horse at a training stable to perform the move is absurd. It made me think that Gruen attended a performance of the Lipizzan stallions, kept the program, and flipped through it to find elements for her book, no matter how far fetched.
Another disappointment for me as an equestrian came from her lack of knowledge about rodeo events, when her love interest and veterinarian rescues an Arabian from being tripped at Mexican rodeos, and the vet goes on to state how it can't really be banned since "cattle tripping" is held at most rodeos. I live in the West, have been to many rodeos, and have never heard of or seen an event known as "cattle tripping." There are roping events, but the least Gruen could have done is find out the correct names of the events.
Gruen's activism steps in, and a sense of preachiness seeps in when the main character's daughter, Eva, throws a fit about the production of the replacement hormone, Premarin, which is made from pregnant mare urine.
Writers have a certain obligation to make sure, even in fiction, that their subject matter is portrayed realistically, since most people's only exposure to things like FBI intrigue or equestrian events are only through the fiction books they read. Putting incorrect or improbable information out, even in the form of fiction, is irresponsible.
Determined to not let these missteps deter me completely, as I very much enjoyed "Water For Elephants," I kept reading. I may as well have not, since the writing is not spectacular, and the plot and characters are reminiscent of those in a Harlequin romance. The characters are all disappointingly flat, and the plot, while eventful (too eventful), was the stuff of made-for-TV movies, making the entire fiasco seem more of a puppet show for Gruen's pet causes than anything else.
After "Water For Elephants," I would have expected much, much better of Gruen than this.
Helpful Score: 1
this is an excellent book though it makes you feel like you save something you have lost or someone though the ending is excellent and well written from the beginning. I love horses and felt the same emotions of the main character.
alana.
alana.
Helpful Score: 1
I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this book!
Helpful Score: 1
I enjoyed this book. Parts of it dragged a bit and at times I wanted to shake some sense into Annemarie.Overall though I wanted to know how it all would turn out- maybe a bit too neatly wrapped up. I agree with other reviewers a pleasant weekend read :)
I loved this book. If you love horses you can get into this story.
Helpful Score: 1
Fantastic! I read it over one weekend!
Helpful Score: 1
A stunning story of family, tragedy, rebirth and the breathtaking love of something wild.
Helpful Score: 1
loved the book.
Helpful Score: 1
Horselovers will like this book. I couldnt put it down. After a tragic accident a dream is over for and olympic contender and her horse.A move to manage her parents riding stables bring many experiences and a happy surprise .
Helpful Score: 1
awesome true to life story of the trials and tribulations of a woman as a horse person.mother and daughter .....horse lovers will enjoy this book
Helpful Score: 1
I loved this story! The author obviously knows horses and show jumping; she captured the feeling of riding and being around horses perfectly, which is a rare feat. It's written in the first person, which I don't usually like--although Dick Francis wrote in first person his entire career and his stories are BRILLIANT--but author Sara Gruen made her main character complex enough to keep me reading each night long after I should have been asleep.
And funny thing...Annemarie Zimmer wasn't a particularly likeable character, but much in the same way as Jane Austen's Emma Woodhouse and Margaret Mitchell's Scarlett O'Hara in "Gone With The Wind," I found her fascinating and her reactions to dilemmas to be a terrific read. Such a well-written book; I'm looking forward to reading the sequel "Flying Changes"
And funny thing...Annemarie Zimmer wasn't a particularly likeable character, but much in the same way as Jane Austen's Emma Woodhouse and Margaret Mitchell's Scarlett O'Hara in "Gone With The Wind," I found her fascinating and her reactions to dilemmas to be a terrific read. Such a well-written book; I'm looking forward to reading the sequel "Flying Changes"
Melanie C. (melaniecourtney) reviewed Riding Lessons (Annamarie Zimmer, Bk 1) on + 5 more book reviews
Easy to read. Found myself frustrated with the main character, though. Will probably read book #2.
I purchased this book because of my love of horses. I don't think you need to feel the same about horses to also enjoy the book, although there are many terms a layperson may not understand. You don't need to understand them to follow the story. The characters are well developed and enjoyable to follow. I read this book in 3 days and I'm a very slow reader.
the book was a good read but the horse knowlege is left to be desired . really enjoyed the story and enjoyed the plot but the author should do more research on her horse facts in the story .
Jackie S. (gmajackie) -
Really enjoyed this novel. Most horselovers will be drawn into the story.
This was an absolute wonderful book. I could not put it down until I finished it. I am looking forward to reading the sequel.
Great read, moves along well, enjoyably written, a page turner - I finished it in about 2 days. Not world changing but definitely a fun diversion!
I loved this book! I have no intrest in horses and by looking at the cover, I thought this book would be somewhat dull. I would say that people who do have an intrest in horses would find this book to be very well suited for them. It submits a message that even if you are scared to try something over again after seeing the harsh reality in it, you must to completley overcome your fear and prove to yourself that life is full of challenging obstacles.
Louisa R. (motrailrider) -
Couldn't put it down.
First in the 2-book series.
First in the 2-book series.
I loved the description of the main character's love of horses, but many items (cattle tripping?) were not believable.
Annemarie hurls herself through life, retreating and attacking without a single retrospective assessment of her situation.
With this quixotic decision making and shrieking when something happened that she didn't like, I really wanted to shake this immature, egotistical and emotion-driven main character many times and tell her to grow. She didn't.
Annemarie hurls herself through life, retreating and attacking without a single retrospective assessment of her situation.
With this quixotic decision making and shrieking when something happened that she didn't like, I really wanted to shake this immature, egotistical and emotion-driven main character many times and tell her to grow. She didn't.
Martha S. (msteph5444) - , reviewed Riding Lessons (Annamarie Zimmer, Bk 1) on + 32 more book reviews
I enjoyed the story although I wanted to shake some sense into the main character. Wish I knew a little more about the world of horse competitions - hadn't a clue as to what some of the terms meant. Would recommend this book to those who like a story which makes you shed a few tears.
a novel of family tradgedy rebirth and the breathtaking love of something wild.
I have just finished reading this book and I recommend it highly to anyone with a love for horses and anyone who just loves a good "read." Annemarie's story begins when she is involved in a serious injury just at the peak of what was expected to be a great career as a champion rider. The aftermath of the tragedy sees her turn away from horses and riding completely for many years. A series of life-chaning events puts her back at the ranch where she grew up and learned to love riding. The story of Annemarie and her family shows the tragic results of leaving old wounds unattended and old family hurts not mended. This is a book to be passed around to anyone who loves to read.
A good read from this author. It is definitely true to life (as demonstrated by the teenage daughter). I am not a "horsey" person, but I do love animals. I think that's all you need to enjoy this book.
Some parts rather frustrated me, in that I wanted to make the main character do something/stop doing something and of course I couldn't!
Some parts rather frustrated me, in that I wanted to make the main character do something/stop doing something and of course I couldn't!
Started very well but the last quarter just fell apart it just tried too much and then was very predictable and boring to read. I will not bother to read the follow up . However Gruen's Water for Elephants was grand !.
If any of you have read "Water for Elephants" by this author, you will love this one.
This was a very heartwarming book.
ANDRE' E. J. (Expeditious) -
Pure magical reading!
This was an easy, enjoyable read. It had some predictable spots but had a bit of connection if you like horses.
As a world-class equestrienne Annemarie Zimmer lived for the thrill of flight atop a strong graceful animal. Than at 18 a tragic accident destroys her riding career and beloved horse Harry. Now 20 years later, she is returning home with her troubled teenage daughter to her dying father's horsefarm, where ghosts of an resolved youth still haunt the fields and stables, and where hope lives in the eyes of the handsome gentle veterinarian she loved as a girl... and in the seductive allure of a trainer with a magic touch.
