There was a time when I had to read a book before seeing the film adaptation, which led to some rather unlikely choices for me.The Horse Whisperer, for instance, was not even my kind of movie, let alone book, but its three stars made a date in the movie theatre a must.I have always been a big fan of Robert Redford, especially his work as a director, and his choice to make Nicholas Evans' novel intrigued me. I have always been in love with Kristen Scott Thomas too. Lots of people roll their eyes up at my crush on her, but there has always been something darkly attractive about the woman, and I'll gladly watch her in any movie, any time -- even playing a depressed, spoiled Mom who rediscovers love. Finally, I'd heard that there was a brand new actress in the movie named Scarlett Johansson who Robert Redford expected big things from, and I wanted to see her for myself.So I was stuck going to the movie, and that meant I was forced to read the book. (Luckily I don't feel compelled to read the book before I see the movie anymore, or I'd have had to read Twilight, and I wouldn't want to do...oh, wait a minute...)I don't remember much about The Horse Whisperer today that doesn't appear in my mind as pictures from the movie, but none of what I remember is negative, and that has to count for something. I remember the love affair between Annie and Tom fondly, appreciating how it took place between mature people who could recognize what their love meant and still go back to the other people they love, stronger for their moment in time. My memories are not clouded by anger or frustration (a common feeling I retain from wildly popular best sellers that disappoint), despite the fact that I remember the prose being pretty uninspiring.And, finally, I remember thinking the book and the movie were about as good as one another. Interesting diversions, but nothing more. Still, if I were to recommend either version to anyone, I suppose I would recommend the film, if only to see Scarlett Johansson in her first major role.I'll never read The Horse Whisperer again, but it was good enough that I haven't entirely forgotten it a decade later, so that has to count for something too. Doesn't it?
A friend of mine kept bugging me to read Nicholas Evans, and I finally gave in and got his first novel - The Horse Whisperer. It was made into a movie with the everbeautiful Scarlett Johansonn which I saw years ago and enjoyed, though it didn't leave any lasting impression. When it came to the book I wasn't impressed.With an interesting premise - girl coming back to health after an accident during horse riding, a "whisperer" called to heal the horse - it soon became cliched and predictable. The interesting process with the girl coming back to health after the accident, and the dreamy cowboy is trying to heal the horse and make it trust people again was soon switched by Evans for a corny Hollywood romance. The story moves to focus on the girl's unlikable mother, who is said to love her husband dearly, but for some reason just has to hump the dreamy cowboy who soon realizes that the lady is hot for him and he's hot for her.There's little here that wasn't done before and it is not done in any spectacular way. The ending to the story is so bizarrely ridiculous that I wouldn't really recommend this novel to anyone.
What do You think about The Horse Whisperer (2009)?
What a dissapointment, and I had high hopes for this book. The background scenery (western / ranch / country lifestyle) was heavily romanticized. At times I felt that the book was written for the purpose of being a movie. There were several scenes that were over the top with emotional detail... ie. when the horse Pilmgrim and the girl Grace touch for the first time since the accident.... I felt that the author was writing a movie script instead of a book.At first I liked the hero Tom. I thought
—Denise
The Horse Whisperer is one of the ebst books I have ever read. It is so detailed and gives so much background information that Nicholas Evans makes you feel connected to the characters personally. It is the story of a girl named Grace, who was in a terrible accident involving a semi truck while she and her friend, Judith, were riding their horses. Now, her life is changed forever. Judith is dead, Grace only has one leg, and her horse has turned into a terrified beast. Grace's relationship with her mother is constantly tested. It will take a miracle to make things right again. Annie, Grace's mother, believes she has found the miracle when she contacts Tom Booker, a "horse whisperer." He has learned how to communicate with horses, but he has never dealt with problems with people before. So Annie packs up Grace and her horse, Pilgrim, and makes te trip from New York to Montana to visit Tom Booker. Grace is furious and gives her mom the silent treatment for many weeks. As they finally start to fit in on the ranch, everyone learns lessons about each other and themselves. They come together to get through what has become a very trying time. I would recommend this book to anyone. It was so good I couldn't put it down. It is a story of love and understanding and pulls on the heartstings of the reader. It was truly amazing.
—Lauren
If Nicholas Sparks could write well, or if "The Bridges of Madison County" had had a horse in it, the result might be something like this book. I liked reading this book despite the fact that it reads like a movie script rather than a true multi-layered story, I mean it read like a pretty good movie script most of the time. But, I am not a fan of adultery, nor of explicit sex in a book. Nor am I fan of big, cheesy, ridiculous ending scenes that are supposed to tie everything up nicely. I can see why people would like this book; it is emotional and dramatic, well-plotted and paced, even well-written for what it is. But what it is is a melodramatic, manipulative, deliberate emotional roller-coaster ride with this cowboy who is really good with horses and everyone loves him - too much - cue soap opera! (Robert Redford in the movie, looking nearly as decrepit as Clint Eastwood in Bridges of Madison County)
—Chana
