Javelina's Full Review: Sara Gruen - Riding Lessons
A few years ago, I read "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen and really enjoyed it. I was hoping to read her other books as well, but of course the library never had a copy available unless you wanted to reserve a copy. I finally decided to splurge on a copy of "Riding Lessons" as I was going to be in the hospital for several days after having my second baby!
This book was published in 2004 by Sara Gruen, who has written several other books. There is actually a sequel to this book, "Flying Changes", which is good to know if you are looking to try out different books by this author (so as to read "Riding Lessons" first). I purchased this book (paperback edition) at BJ's Wholesale Club for $7.99, but I see it is also on Amazon.com for the same price, especially if you don't have the patience to wait for a copy on hold at the library.
The book's main character is Annemarie Zimmer, who is an amazing world-class equestrian at a young age, and is likely going to be a contender for the Olympics. Her dreams of the Olympics are tragically cut short when she and her horse Harry are in a horrible accident, almost ending Annemarie's life and resulting in Harry's death. Decades later, after sort of detaching herself from her equestrian upbringing, Annemarie returns home as a very changed person.
Riding Lessons picks up at a point in Annemarie's life where she is hit with a lot of bad news at once. Her father is ailing, she is let go from her job, her daughter is in trouble, and so is her marriage. With so many changes, she heads back to where she grew up, along with her daughter Eva. It is a tough return, considering her own circumstances as well as her father's failing health. It was interesting to see how Annemarie's life had evolved since her accident, and how it was difficult for her to confront her equestrian past and her father in his poor condition. At the same time, she is dealing with the end of her marriage and her daughter's rebellious behavior.
I felt like I could relate to Annemarie from the beginning of the book. Although her circumstances are likely different from most people's, they are relatable. For example, not wanting to deal with things in the past, and pushing those emotions to the back of our minds, and sort of burying our past - and then the often inevitability of those things coming up again later in life.
Not only were her circumstances relatable, but so are Annemarie's emotions. Her frustrations with her daughter, her disgust with her husband, and her grief over her father's condition. I could feel her stresses as she is exposed to all these uncomfortable situations and being forced to confront these things. She goes through a rollercoaster of emotions as she tries to digest so many things that are happening at once.
And amongst the bad situations in this book, there was good. There were some moments I felt like I could compare this to a Jodi Picoult book, but it definitely had it's own feel. There are several intertwined plot situations, as Annemarie is given hope and is able to move forward with her life without being completely disabled by the chip on her shoulder. The book is also about dealing with the past and being honest about facing difficulties.
I also enjoyed all the peripheral characters. For example, Annemarie's troubled daughter, who she has to deal with while trying to juggle all the other difficulties presented to her. There is her mother, who she doesn't have the best relationship with. And there are people from Annemarie's past who work in the equestrian field, and who are strong reminders of her life as an Olympic contender.
And then there are the horses - at least one in particular - that brings back some pretty serious memories for Annemarie. I grew up riding horses and I absolutely loved this book, but I would say it is for anyone, not just horse enthusiasts.
I don't have any complaints about this book, although there are some coincidences that were a little too convenient for the plot of the book. For instance, a particular - and rare - horse that plays a huge role in the plot, that shows up just at the right moment, just over 15 years after Annemarie left her equestrian life behind.
I have read a lot of negative reviews on this book about how they could not stand the main character, and how she is whiny and annoying. However, I didn't have a dislike for Annemarie. In real life, I have seen people handle grief and stress in so many ways, it seemed like it could be a totally normal response and that it is so easy to be out of character when under si\o much strain.
Overall, I truly enjoyed this book. I started reading it a few days after I had my second baby, and I had a really hard time putting it down. I read it every free moment I had, which was not much, but I managed to finish the book within a few days because I wanted to know what would happen. I will say this is a very easy book to read through quickly, and it is entertaining and a light read, despite covering some very heavy subjects. I highly recommend this book and I am definitely going to pick up "Flying Changes" when I get a chance.
Gruen s masterful debut--a story of family, tragedy, rebirth, and the breathtaking love of something wild--is now available on audio. Unabridged. 8 CD...More at Buy.com
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