What do you think?
Rate this book
Gaudenzia, Pride of the Palio
A story, based on real events, about a boy and a half-Arabian mare who enter the Palio, an annual race in Siena, Italy, with all the pageantry of a medieval contest.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1960
About the author
Marguerite Henry
130 books762 followersMarguerite Henry (April 13, 1902–November 26, 1997) was an American writer. The author of fifty-nine books based on true stories of horses and other animals, her work has captivated entire generations of children and young adults and won several Newbery Awards and Honors. Among the more famous of her works was Misty of Chincoteague, which was the basis for the 1961 movie Misty, and several sequel books.
"It is exciting to me that no matter how much machinery replaces the horse, the work it can do is still measured in horsepower ... even in the new age. And although a riding horse often weighs half a ton and a big drafter a full ton, either can be led about by a piece of string if he has been wisely trained. This to me is a constant source of wonder and challenge." This quote was from an article about Henry published in the Washington Post on November 28, 1997, in response to a query about her drive to write about horses.
Marguerite Henry inspired children all over the world with her love of animals, especially horses. Author of over fifty children's stories, including the Misty of Chincoteague series, Henry's love of animals started during her childhood. Unfortunately, Henry was stricken with a rheumatic fever at the age of six, which kept her bedridden until the age of twelve. Born to Louis and Anna Breithaupt, the youngest of the five children, Henry was a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Because of her illness, Henry wasn't allowed to go to school with other children because of her weak state and the fear of spreading the illness to others. While she was confined indoors, she discovered the joy of reading. Soon afterward, she also discovered a love for writing when her father, a publisher, presented her with a writing desk for Christmas. On the top of stacks of colored paper her father wrote, "Dear Last of the Mohicans: Not a penny for your thoughts, but a tablet. Merry Christmas! Pappa Louis XXXX."
Henry's first published work came at the age of eleven, a short story about a collie and a group of children, which she sold to a magazine for $12. Henry always wrote about animals, such as dogs, cats, birds, foxes, and even mules, but chiefly her stories focused on horses.
In 1923, she married Sidney Crocker Henry. During their sixty-four years of marriage they didn't have children, but instead had many pets that inspired some of Marguerite's stories. They lived in Wayne, Illinois.
In 1947, she published Misty of Chincoteague and it was an instant success. Later, this book—as well as Justin Morgan had a Horse and Brighty of the Grand Canyon—were made into movies.
She finished her last book, Brown Sunshine of Sawdust Valley, just before her death on November 26, 1997 at the age of 95.
"It is exciting to me that no matter how much machinery replaces the horse, the work it can do is still measured in horsepower ... even in the new age. And although a riding horse often weighs half a ton and a big drafter a full ton, either can be led about by a piece of string if he has been wisely trained. This to me is a constant source of wonder and challenge." This quote was from an article about Henry published in the Washington Post on November 28, 1997, in response to a query about her drive to write about horses.
Marguerite Henry inspired children all over the world with her love of animals, especially horses. Author of over fifty children's stories, including the Misty of Chincoteague series, Henry's love of animals started during her childhood. Unfortunately, Henry was stricken with a rheumatic fever at the age of six, which kept her bedridden until the age of twelve. Born to Louis and Anna Breithaupt, the youngest of the five children, Henry was a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Because of her illness, Henry wasn't allowed to go to school with other children because of her weak state and the fear of spreading the illness to others. While she was confined indoors, she discovered the joy of reading. Soon afterward, she also discovered a love for writing when her father, a publisher, presented her with a writing desk for Christmas. On the top of stacks of colored paper her father wrote, "Dear Last of the Mohicans: Not a penny for your thoughts, but a tablet. Merry Christmas! Pappa Louis XXXX."
Henry's first published work came at the age of eleven, a short story about a collie and a group of children, which she sold to a magazine for $12. Henry always wrote about animals, such as dogs, cats, birds, foxes, and even mules, but chiefly her stories focused on horses.
In 1923, she married Sidney Crocker Henry. During their sixty-four years of marriage they didn't have children, but instead had many pets that inspired some of Marguerite's stories. They lived in Wayne, Illinois.
In 1947, she published Misty of Chincoteague and it was an instant success. Later, this book—as well as Justin Morgan had a Horse and Brighty of the Grand Canyon—were made into movies.
She finished her last book, Brown Sunshine of Sawdust Valley, just before her death on November 26, 1997 at the age of 95.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
September 25, 2022
Apr 6, 2022, 1020am ~~ I was checking in for new additions at Project Gutenberg this morning and saw that this book has been added to the database, complete with illustrations, even the full color ones! If anyone is interested in the book after reading this review, here is the link for it.
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/67783...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nov 10, 2021, 945am ~~ Review asap.
Nov 11, 11pm ~~ Marguerite Henry was one of my favorite authors in childhood. I loved her horse books, and I have many of them in my bookcases even now.
But this book? Never heard of it until seeing it at Thriftbooks a couple of weeks ago. How did that happen, I wonder? Of course I snooped around a little more and found a couple of others that I could vaguely remember but one more that was new to me. So of course I indulged. I should get an award for being the best compulsive shopper at Thriftbooks. lol
The book surprised me when it arrived. Gaudenzia was originally published in 1960 and I have no idea what those original editions looked like, but this big beautiful 2016 Aladdin edition is simply stunning, with full color as well as black and white illustrations, thick pages, easy to read print, and the feel of a proper, honest to goodness book in your hands.
So, having said all of that, I am actually glad I did not read this book until my 63rd year because I understood it so much better than I would have if I had read it during the listed target ages of 8 to 12.
This is not merely a horse story. It is the story of a boy facing the chance to fulfill his dream. It is the story of a horse who suffers until she is placed in the hands of someone who understands her. But even beyond these two core factors, this is the story of a special horse race and what it means to the people of Siena Italy.
You see, Il Palio is an event that has taken place twice a year since medieval times. I can remember seeing a National Geographic article about it many years ago, but any facts about the race were wiped from my brain by the incredible pictures. So I knew about the race, but only in a basic and vague manner. How can anyone who is not a citizen of Siena truly understand what the race means for the citizens of the city? It is a religious festival, but it is also a form of tribal warfare, a holdover from times past.
Ms. Henry brings to life the expectations, the dreams, the glory involved with this race for the people of Siena, giving the reader a glimpse of something that is most likely beyond his or her awareness: deep community connections that go beyond anything most people have ever experienced. It may seem odd to use the phrase tribal warfare in one sentence and then turn around and spout of community in the next, but that is what the race is all about.
The closest I have come to properly understanding this feeling was Carnaval time in Tlaxcala Mexico during the eight years I lived there. The traditions go back hundreds of years, every costume and dance step has a certain meaning, and there is great pride in being able to continue something that people hundreds of years ago participated in.
Now, once again I must say that having said all of that, this book can be brutal. Most horse stories have at least one example of abuse or trauma and this one lives up to that. It can be painful to read and I would think that an overly tender-hearted horse lover would get very upset about some of the incidents. But life with horses is not bloodless.
My boss on the farm used to say that if you put a horse in a padded stall it could find a way to hurt itself. And sometimes that is true. And it is also true that ignorant, foolish people cause many terrible things to happen in a horse's life. Terrible things happen every minute of every day in this world, and children must not be completely sheltered from them. Books such as this one can show how to handle such incidents if you witness them, and how to heal a horse who has been abused if you should ever have one. Learn from the righteous characters in any horse book, and never act like the foolish ignorant ones.
Oh, before I go, here is the wiki article about Il Palio: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palio_d...
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/67783...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nov 10, 2021, 945am ~~ Review asap.
Nov 11, 11pm ~~ Marguerite Henry was one of my favorite authors in childhood. I loved her horse books, and I have many of them in my bookcases even now.
But this book? Never heard of it until seeing it at Thriftbooks a couple of weeks ago. How did that happen, I wonder? Of course I snooped around a little more and found a couple of others that I could vaguely remember but one more that was new to me. So of course I indulged. I should get an award for being the best compulsive shopper at Thriftbooks. lol
The book surprised me when it arrived. Gaudenzia was originally published in 1960 and I have no idea what those original editions looked like, but this big beautiful 2016 Aladdin edition is simply stunning, with full color as well as black and white illustrations, thick pages, easy to read print, and the feel of a proper, honest to goodness book in your hands.
So, having said all of that, I am actually glad I did not read this book until my 63rd year because I understood it so much better than I would have if I had read it during the listed target ages of 8 to 12.
This is not merely a horse story. It is the story of a boy facing the chance to fulfill his dream. It is the story of a horse who suffers until she is placed in the hands of someone who understands her. But even beyond these two core factors, this is the story of a special horse race and what it means to the people of Siena Italy.
You see, Il Palio is an event that has taken place twice a year since medieval times. I can remember seeing a National Geographic article about it many years ago, but any facts about the race were wiped from my brain by the incredible pictures. So I knew about the race, but only in a basic and vague manner. How can anyone who is not a citizen of Siena truly understand what the race means for the citizens of the city? It is a religious festival, but it is also a form of tribal warfare, a holdover from times past.
Ms. Henry brings to life the expectations, the dreams, the glory involved with this race for the people of Siena, giving the reader a glimpse of something that is most likely beyond his or her awareness: deep community connections that go beyond anything most people have ever experienced. It may seem odd to use the phrase tribal warfare in one sentence and then turn around and spout of community in the next, but that is what the race is all about.
The closest I have come to properly understanding this feeling was Carnaval time in Tlaxcala Mexico during the eight years I lived there. The traditions go back hundreds of years, every costume and dance step has a certain meaning, and there is great pride in being able to continue something that people hundreds of years ago participated in.
Now, once again I must say that having said all of that, this book can be brutal. Most horse stories have at least one example of abuse or trauma and this one lives up to that. It can be painful to read and I would think that an overly tender-hearted horse lover would get very upset about some of the incidents. But life with horses is not bloodless.
My boss on the farm used to say that if you put a horse in a padded stall it could find a way to hurt itself. And sometimes that is true. And it is also true that ignorant, foolish people cause many terrible things to happen in a horse's life. Terrible things happen every minute of every day in this world, and children must not be completely sheltered from them. Books such as this one can show how to handle such incidents if you witness them, and how to heal a horse who has been abused if you should ever have one. Learn from the righteous characters in any horse book, and never act like the foolish ignorant ones.
Oh, before I go, here is the wiki article about Il Palio: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palio_d...
January 9, 2019
I remember reading this when I was 12 or 13 years old and I loved the book then and I still enjoyed it now. It's a simple, straight-forward yet big story. The background information on the Palio is researched, interesting and still makes me want to experience this historic annual horse race for myself some day.
November 17, 2008
I think that Gaudenzia offers Henry's best description about a horse race. The book is extremely good and is worth tracking down.
November 23, 2016
I read this for school quite a few years ago, and loved it! Rich with Italian history, I soaked up every word! And being a horse lover, it was just even better!
March 6, 2016
I'll admit that, as an adult, this is one of my favorite Marguerite Henry books. There are others which are better known, but this shares with Misty of Chincoteague (and Born to Trot) the advantage of the author meeting the primary players themselves: the jockey/trainer Giorgio and his family, the contrada members and 'barbero' owners, and most important of all (especially if you're a little girl who adores horsies), Gaudenzia herself.
As an adult, I find the descriptions of the Palio of Siena (there are others throughout Italy) terrifying--ten horses go charging around the central Piazza in Sienna with nothing more than a few mattresses stuck on the pointy parts and their own agility to protect them from accidents. None of this soft groomed turf and smooth railings. What makes it more interesting for those of us used to the gentler and more genteel races at Ascot and Churchill Downs is that it's the first horse across the finish line that wins the race. Not the first horse still carrying a rider. (At least according to the book, and I think Henry's more or less right, although there's probably some qualifying criteria.)
The real negative for me was Henry's rendering the Italians' dialogue in such a way as to leave them sounding like Chico Marx.
As an adult, I find the descriptions of the Palio of Siena (there are others throughout Italy) terrifying--ten horses go charging around the central Piazza in Sienna with nothing more than a few mattresses stuck on the pointy parts and their own agility to protect them from accidents. None of this soft groomed turf and smooth railings. What makes it more interesting for those of us used to the gentler and more genteel races at Ascot and Churchill Downs is that it's the first horse across the finish line that wins the race. Not the first horse still carrying a rider. (At least according to the book, and I think Henry's more or less right, although there's probably some qualifying criteria.)
The real negative for me was Henry's rendering the Italians' dialogue in such a way as to leave them sounding like Chico Marx.
December 8, 2013
Giorgio is born in a small town across the mountains from Siena. He listens eagerly to the stories of the Palio, the greatest horserace in Italy. The Palio, dating back to Medieval times, is wrought with tradition—a tradition that seems to have no room for a small boy from a simple village.
But Giorgio works hard and snags every chance he can to reach Siena. He begins racing in all the small village fairs, then grabs the opportunity to travel over the mountains. And there he meets Farfalla, a white carthorse that also seems completely unsuited for a race attended by kings. But as soon as he sees her, Giorgio knows both he and Farfalla will race together.
Gaudenzia: Pride of the Palio is the longest and most detailed book I have read by Marguerite Henry. The author faithfully relays the centuries-old traditions of the Palio, which continues in Sienna today, through the eyes of a young man who feels torn both by the allure of the race and the harshness of its demands. I loved the relationship between the boy and horse, and how the author portrayed the loyalty they feel toward each other.
But Giorgio works hard and snags every chance he can to reach Siena. He begins racing in all the small village fairs, then grabs the opportunity to travel over the mountains. And there he meets Farfalla, a white carthorse that also seems completely unsuited for a race attended by kings. But as soon as he sees her, Giorgio knows both he and Farfalla will race together.
Gaudenzia: Pride of the Palio is the longest and most detailed book I have read by Marguerite Henry. The author faithfully relays the centuries-old traditions of the Palio, which continues in Sienna today, through the eyes of a young man who feels torn both by the allure of the race and the harshness of its demands. I loved the relationship between the boy and horse, and how the author portrayed the loyalty they feel toward each other.
December 4, 2016
I had never heard of this horse race before, and from the descriptions it sounds utterly insane, but I googled the Palio, and sure enough, the details in the story are true - this biannual horse race was first run in 1633 and continues today. It's confusing, crazy and totally irrational, but the tradition dating back to medieval times has lasted to the present.
This book is a fictionalized version of the true story of Giorgio Terni, a poor boy who has an affinity for horses and dreams of one day riding in the legendary Palio. It's also the story of the horse Farfalla (later renamed Gaudenzia) that almost died at birth and was deemed too weak and nervous to ever amount to anything. She was made a cart horse but later rescued by someone who recognized her potential. Together Giorgio and Gaudenzia would eventually win the 1954 July Palio.
It's a horse story as only Marguerite Henry can write it, and another one I wish I'd read as a child!
This book is a fictionalized version of the true story of Giorgio Terni, a poor boy who has an affinity for horses and dreams of one day riding in the legendary Palio. It's also the story of the horse Farfalla (later renamed Gaudenzia) that almost died at birth and was deemed too weak and nervous to ever amount to anything. She was made a cart horse but later rescued by someone who recognized her potential. Together Giorgio and Gaudenzia would eventually win the 1954 July Palio.
It's a horse story as only Marguerite Henry can write it, and another one I wish I'd read as a child!
April 28, 2013
All of Marguerite Henry's horse books are wonderful, but this was right at the top for me. The exotic locale, the colorful nature of the race, all of it was a delight. If you know a horse-crazy eleven-year-old girl, this is the book for her :)
January 4, 2013
An underrated book about a little-known event, yet one I have never forgotten from my childhood. Thrilling and thoroughly enjoyable.
July 23, 2016
I don't know why, but this book fascinated me as a kid. I read it over and over. It had horses and a little bit of foreign culture and I thought Guadenzia was the most beautiful name ever.
September 20, 2024
I thought I’d read every Marguerite Henry book, but this one had been sitting on our shelf and I hadn’t read it. It was interesting to learn about the Palio, a horse race in a town in Italy. That’s one wild race! I enjoyed the book, the characters, the story. It probably won’t be a favorite of mine, but it was still good.
This book does have a lot of Catholic things in it as that’s a strong part of Italy like prayers to saints, to Mary, and one mention of the Archbishop being the only thing between Giorgio and God.
This book does have a lot of Catholic things in it as that’s a strong part of Italy like prayers to saints, to Mary, and one mention of the Archbishop being the only thing between Giorgio and God.
October 8, 2020
The kids and I were swept up in this immersive look into Siena’s epic Palio. We watched Rick Steve’s short YouTube video about it, and at the end of the book were so excited to find 1950s footage of the actual race with Georgio riding Gaudenzia. The absolute fanaticism of this ancient tradition sucks you into the story, and Marguerite Henry spellbinds with a practiced hand.
I’m interested in watching the documentary The Palio to see how the frenzy plays out in modern times.
I’m interested in watching the documentary The Palio to see how the frenzy plays out in modern times.
September 4, 2023
I did not want this book to end! It was full of colorful and detailed descriptions and information about the Palio and Italian culture and horses. Marguerite Henry is a master of horse literature - One of my new favorite books!
August 11, 2012
Henry does such a wonderful job of bringing the history of horses to life in all her novels. She does a lot of research and then fashions a wonderful tale that flows, educates, and inspires. This one deals with the exciting and sometimes treacherous Palio race in Italy where regions vie for honor and recognition through the bravery of their horse and rider--rather similar to the famous chariot race in Ben Hur. King of the Wind, Lippiza, and Gaudenzia are some of my favorites of Henry's.
November 4, 2015
Give us the Palio!!
Oh, this book was a classic! At first, I didn't like the Palio because, you know, horses die in it. But Marguerite Henry showed me that the Palio was not just a dangerous race....but an epic battle too. A wonderful and inspiring read, just like all of Marguerite Henry's classic tales!!!
Oh, this book was a classic! At first, I didn't like the Palio because, you know, horses die in it. But Marguerite Henry showed me that the Palio was not just a dangerous race....but an epic battle too. A wonderful and inspiring read, just like all of Marguerite Henry's classic tales!!!
October 24, 2008
As most Henry books, this is heart warming story of a boy and his love for a horse, they are unfairly matched against each other at the Palio, considered one of the most difficult and cruel horse races in the world. My memories of reading this story as a child, still makes my tears well.
April 8, 2017
I enjoyed the characters, and their world and hope I get the chance to read the story again and/or to read more within the series.
My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.
My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.
October 24, 2008
see the "wildest horse race in the world"
September 2, 2010
seeing as I love horse books this one was quite enjoyable. the journey of a boy who wants to ride in the pallio on a certain horse...not race against her! full of fun
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2011
I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/10281397
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/10281397
November 29, 2020
One of the rarer books I didn't read until adulthood. As charming as she ever is, though I found the Italian setting somewhat less accessible than her homeland works.
Read
August 27, 2014missing
September 12, 2016
I read this book as a child and it made such a strong impression that this year (50 years later!) I went to the Palio. It was so much like my memory of the book. Loved the book.
September 13, 2014
I'm a fan of Marguerite Henry's but I've never been able to finish this.
August 29, 2023
A reprint of Gaudenzia, Pride of the Palio, this takes place in Italy in the early 1950s. Based on real events of the Palio, a horse race begun in the 17th century, held annually in Siena. Giorgio Terni is son of a poor Italian farmer, he loves animals, especially horses, and dreams of racing in the famous Siena Palio. From a young age Giorgio is focused on this dream, doing all he can to prepare himself should the opportunity to become a fantino, or jockey, happen. He comes to love Gaudenzia, a half-Arabian mare he believes could win the Palio.
The story starts slow but I was soon vested in Giorgio and anxious to see if his dream would happen. The story illustrated strong families, hard work, determination, and a struggle of conscience. It is full of Italian history, culture, vocabulary, and is a true underdog story.
Reading this led me to discover more about the Palio, I didn't realize the race that is prepared for all year is less than 90 seconds! Then they prepare for another one soon after. So much heart and tradition in this race.
The story starts slow but I was soon vested in Giorgio and anxious to see if his dream would happen. The story illustrated strong families, hard work, determination, and a struggle of conscience. It is full of Italian history, culture, vocabulary, and is a true underdog story.
Reading this led me to discover more about the Palio, I didn't realize the race that is prepared for all year is less than 90 seconds! Then they prepare for another one soon after. So much heart and tradition in this race.
March 8, 2021
Here's one of Marguerite Henry's lesser known works. I enjoyed it as a look into Italian culture, complete with references to Roman Catholicism. I think the two biggest themes I got from the book were to not be impatient with the process of attaining your goals, and to be aware that attaining your goals may come with unexpected responsibilities or consequences. It was interesting, but I doubt I'll find myself re-reading it as I did Justin Morgan Had a Horse.
July 3, 2018
Love all the background and information it gives about the Palio. Having been to Siena I appreciated it even more. Simple story but heart warming as all of her books are. I had read this as a kid but only vaguely remembered when I went to Siena so it was neat reading it again with much more context for it.
May 11, 2020
A decent book, but one that, to me, just lacked the charm and spark of many of Marguerite Henry's other books. I'm not really sure what about it was off, but something kind of was. The story is good, and the book is written fine (although some of the dialogue is clunky), but it's not as great as her better-known works.
August 13, 2018
This was a great introduction to Italian history! Plus the kids discovered zucchini omelets which we’ve made twice already 🙌. Be sure to look up some videos of actual Palio races—we enjoyed this one from Rick Steve’s Europe https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_clMjoa...
April 4, 2018
Based on real events. Well written and very interesting. The writing allows the reader to connect emotionally with the lead character making the story that much better.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews