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Best Horse Stories Ever
Hardback
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1991
About the author
Charles Dickens
13.3k books31.9k followersCharles John Huffam Dickens (1812-1870) was a writer and social critic who created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. His works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime, and by the twentieth century critics and scholars had recognised him as a literary genius. His novels and short stories enjoy lasting popularity.
Dickens left school to work in a factory when his father was incarcerated in a debtors' prison. Despite his lack of formal education, he edited a weekly journal for 20 years, wrote 15 novels, five novellas, hundreds of short stories and non-fiction articles, lectured and performed extensively, was an indefatigable letter writer, and campaigned vigorously for children's rights, education, and other social reforms.
Dickens was regarded as the literary colossus of his age. His 1843 novella, A Christmas Carol, remains popular and continues to inspire adaptations in every artistic genre. Oliver Twist and Great Expectations are also frequently adapted, and, like many of his novels, evoke images of early Victorian London. His 1859 novel, A Tale of Two Cities, set in London and Paris, is his best-known work of historical fiction. Dickens's creative genius has been praised by fellow writers—from Leo Tolstoy to George Orwell and G. K. Chesterton—for its realism, comedy, prose style, unique characterisations, and social criticism. On the other hand, Oscar Wilde, Henry James, and Virginia Woolf complained of a lack of psychological depth, loose writing, and a vein of saccharine sentimentalism. The term Dickensian is used to describe something that is reminiscent of Dickens and his writings, such as poor social conditions or comically repulsive characters.
On 8 June 1870, Dickens suffered another stroke at his home after a full day's work on Edwin Drood. He never regained consciousness, and the next day he died at Gad's Hill Place. Contrary to his wish to be buried at Rochester Cathedral "in an inexpensive, unostentatious, and strictly private manner," he was laid to rest in the Poets' Corner of Westminster Abbey. A printed epitaph circulated at the time of the funeral reads: "To the Memory of Charles Dickens (England's most popular author) who died at his residence, Higham, near Rochester, Kent, 9 June 1870, aged 58 years. He was a sympathiser with the poor, the suffering, and the oppressed; and by his death, one of England's greatest writers is lost to the world." His last words were: "On the ground", in response to his sister-in-law Georgina's request that he lie down.
(from Wikipedia)
Dickens left school to work in a factory when his father was incarcerated in a debtors' prison. Despite his lack of formal education, he edited a weekly journal for 20 years, wrote 15 novels, five novellas, hundreds of short stories and non-fiction articles, lectured and performed extensively, was an indefatigable letter writer, and campaigned vigorously for children's rights, education, and other social reforms.
Dickens was regarded as the literary colossus of his age. His 1843 novella, A Christmas Carol, remains popular and continues to inspire adaptations in every artistic genre. Oliver Twist and Great Expectations are also frequently adapted, and, like many of his novels, evoke images of early Victorian London. His 1859 novel, A Tale of Two Cities, set in London and Paris, is his best-known work of historical fiction. Dickens's creative genius has been praised by fellow writers—from Leo Tolstoy to George Orwell and G. K. Chesterton—for its realism, comedy, prose style, unique characterisations, and social criticism. On the other hand, Oscar Wilde, Henry James, and Virginia Woolf complained of a lack of psychological depth, loose writing, and a vein of saccharine sentimentalism. The term Dickensian is used to describe something that is reminiscent of Dickens and his writings, such as poor social conditions or comically repulsive characters.
On 8 June 1870, Dickens suffered another stroke at his home after a full day's work on Edwin Drood. He never regained consciousness, and the next day he died at Gad's Hill Place. Contrary to his wish to be buried at Rochester Cathedral "in an inexpensive, unostentatious, and strictly private manner," he was laid to rest in the Poets' Corner of Westminster Abbey. A printed epitaph circulated at the time of the funeral reads: "To the Memory of Charles Dickens (England's most popular author) who died at his residence, Higham, near Rochester, Kent, 9 June 1870, aged 58 years. He was a sympathiser with the poor, the suffering, and the oppressed; and by his death, one of England's greatest writers is lost to the world." His last words were: "On the ground", in response to his sister-in-law Georgina's request that he lie down.
(from Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 8, 2017
Having read plenty of horse stories and books of horse themed shorts, I can honestly say that this book was not good. I had trouble staying with it. I skimmed a lot of the stories, most being written in an odd accent or in a slang version of English. I love English and proper spelling and grammar and it drives me nuts to sit there and try to decipher misspelled slang words to unravel the accent that the author is trying to create. Horrible, horrible. If you want a book of horse stories try "Horse Stories", "Unbridled", or any of Mark Rashid's books. Honestly do not waste your time with this one. Two out of five stars to 'Best' Horse Stories...
August 6, 2013
This is a collection of short stories, all with an equine theme. Some are taken from longer works, like Black Beauty or My Uncle Silas, but others are stand alone stories in their own right. There is a good mix of famous names, like Charles Dickens, Rudyard Kipling and HE Bates, and some authors I have never heard of. My favourite stories are "A Stranger to the Wild" by Charles DG Roberts, about a stallion surviving a ship wreck and facing life in a lonely wilderness; "Black Horses" by Luigi Pirandello, abut a carriage horse adapting to life with a firm of undertakers; and "The 500 mile Race from Deadwood to Omaha" by Jack Schaefer, about a dun mustang beating the odds in a grueling endurance race. But, to be honest, there isn't one story I didn't like.
June 8, 2009
Well of course if you have an affection for horses you will enjoy this book especially but I think nearly everyone/anyone would enjoy it. The brief tales are great and (often) tickling. There is a James Herriot story. Mark Twain ("A Genuine Mexican Plug"). Charles Dickens. Anna Sewell. Rudyard Kipling. The internet fails me; it brings up nothing of a 500 mile horse race from Deadwood to Omaha. That wonderfully-told race account with the good horse Jimmie Dun probably is an invention of Jack Schaefer but a Deadwood-Omaha horse race would make a great column for the Worthington Daily Globe if, in fact, there was such a contest.
January 3, 2013
Todas las estrellas de este review van derechitas a Gato Maltés, que se las merece como se ganó el partido. No sé nada de polo, pero si hubiese decidido saber también hubiese sido por este cuento. Y final de campeonato más guay no he visto, que sea real o figurada.
January 17, 2009
Great classics all compiled into one book. Perfect for horse lunies.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews