Eccentric Musings (jakaEM)

Just loved how Smiley contrasted thoroughbred racing horses - who are born to know what they love and what they are meant to do - with a whole gaggle of self-doubting, identity-conflicted humans. Funny, "sprawling" but controlled, lotsa anthropomorphism but no saccharine sentimentality. Smiley has an insider's knowledge of her milieu, but also respects and trusts her reader enough not to bog the story down in definition or description. Even though they are frequent, her race scenes are never boring. And - the #1 reason I loved this book: she portrays the deep love between humans and animals with respect, knowledge, understanding.

A lovely summer read, for those days you're not at the track. :-)