Comments on: Half Broke Horses: A True-Life Novel

By: Roberta Liford

Roberta Liford — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 17:09:36 +0000

After the Glass Castle, Walls’ second book, “Half Broke Horses,” was a disappointment (notice it has not maintained any position on the best seller lists as has the Glass Castle). Anyway, I stopped reading when the ladies from Brooklyn appeared. This segment was so ill conceived, and her annoying attempt at a detailed (and stereotypical) portrayal of their “thick Brooklyn” accents so offensive, that I stopped reading at that point. It’s obvious Walls doesn’t know anyone from Brooklyn. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, and no one in my family, nor anyone I knew, ever used words like “youse” and “duh” instead of “the” or “wit-out.” This is an inherited accent, perhaps a class distinction, or denoting poor education, not necessarily only from Brooklyn. What’s more, there are regional accents (i.e. hillbillies) everywhere in the U.S. — so if the author was going to be so explicit about accents, how come she chose to include only what she thought was a “Brooklyn” accent (thick, yet), and not any others in their conversations? It seems practically everyone in her book, including the cowboys, spoke perfect English. This book wll not have a place in my library.
Rating: 1 / 5

By: Jeffrey R. Terrell

Jeffrey R. Terrell — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 17:03:52 +0000

I have not finished this book yet, but already like it as much as Glass Castle.
Rating: 5 / 5

By: Jewelry Lover

Jewelry Lover — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 14:45:49 +0000

No mistake… this is a novel and *not* a recounting of real life adventures. The folksy expressions that Ms. Walls uses may entertain some people, but I’m not overly impressed. I grew up in Arizona and I found these ‘tall tales’ to be somewhat unbelievable…even though they were supposed to have happened around the 1930′s. She undoubtedly embellished upon stories she heard as a child that probably had all ready be exaggerated. As a novel, this was at times an amusing read, but fell short of entertaining.

The characters are unique, but not all together likeable. I thought the story rambled aimlessly without much of a message: Disfunctional families produce disfunctional families.

Perhaps this is better period fiction than some stories, but I’ll pass on her next novel.
Rating: 2 / 5

By: Margaret Filter

Margaret Filter — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 12:05:29 +0000

I ordered this product as a Birthday Gift – never suspecting that I’d have a problem with Amazon and the businesses they work with.

This product never got to the recipient – the birthday girl….and….although I’ve tried to communicate with the seller….I’ve had no response. I have no other recourse than to publicize the problems I’ve encountered and to appeal to anyone who is listening to boycot Amazon.com until they stand behind their business, their products and their customers!!!!!!!!!
Rating: 1 / 5

By: P.OFF

P.OFF — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 09:32:44 +0000

The title says it all. I have sent an email 4 days ago and am still waiting for a reply.
Rating: 1 / 5