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Solitary Horseman
Solitary Horseman by Emilie Loring in Hardcover.
301 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1927
About the author
Emilie Loring
58 books130 followersAKA Emilie Baker Loring
Emilie Baker was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1864 to George M. Baker and Emily Frances (Boles) Baker. Her father was a playwright and publisher and her mother was a homemaker. Loring married Victor J. Loring, who was a lawyer. She began writing in 1914, published her first novel in 1922 at the age of 56, and continued writing until her death after a long illness in 1951. She was a prolific American romance novelist of the 20th century, known for her "wholesome love" romances and independent, spirited heroines. Beyond romance, her books also explore a selection of topics including, but not limited to marriage, love, American patriotism, freedom, and optimism. She died in Wellesley, Massachusetts on March 13, 1951. At the time of her death, she had sold more than a million copies of her first thirty books.
After her death, her estate was managed by her sons, Selden M. and Robert M. Loring, who, based on a wealth of unfinished material they discovered, published twenty more books under her name until 1972. These books were ghost-written by Elinore Denniston. taken largely from wiki, made some corrections (dates didn't add up) per her biographer
Emilie Loring Wiki Page
Emilie Baker was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1864 to George M. Baker and Emily Frances (Boles) Baker. Her father was a playwright and publisher and her mother was a homemaker. Loring married Victor J. Loring, who was a lawyer. She began writing in 1914, published her first novel in 1922 at the age of 56, and continued writing until her death after a long illness in 1951. She was a prolific American romance novelist of the 20th century, known for her "wholesome love" romances and independent, spirited heroines. Beyond romance, her books also explore a selection of topics including, but not limited to marriage, love, American patriotism, freedom, and optimism. She died in Wellesley, Massachusetts on March 13, 1951. At the time of her death, she had sold more than a million copies of her first thirty books.
After her death, her estate was managed by her sons, Selden M. and Robert M. Loring, who, based on a wealth of unfinished material they discovered, published twenty more books under her name until 1972. These books were ghost-written by Elinore Denniston. taken largely from wiki, made some corrections (dates didn't add up) per her biographer
Emilie Loring Wiki Page
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 20, 2012
Emilie Loring’s books unashamedly embrace the kind of values and morals that are scoffed at today. Actually, they were probably considered old fashioned even when the novels were published, but the author and her characters never let that intimidate or deter them. They stand up for clean living and for setting an example for others and for setting your standards high and sticking to them. Maybe that’s why Ms. Loring’s novels hold up so well for me. Given the trash that passes for romance today, it’s very refreshing to read about people who believe in and stand for something.
This particular novel focuses a great deal on the relationship between mothers and their children and how important that relationship can be. Using three examples of mothers (good, bad, and indifferent), Ms. Loring shows her belief that a mother with ideas and ideals can make all the difference in a child’s life. As the hero of the story, Tony Hamilton, contrasts his adoptive mother with his biological mother, he reflects: “always he had felt about him her ideals, her belief that men were the finest force in the world, her faith and trust in him which must not be betrayed. His own mother had thought only of herself.” It’s an uplifting theme, highlighted by Ms. Loring’s unfailing optimism and belief in the best of people.
The only quibble I have with this book is the close, near-brother-and-sister relationship between the hero and heroine. Tony Hamilton has been living with the Grahame family for ten years when the story begins and has watched Rose, the heroine, grow up from the time she was twelve. Ms. Loring deals with this on some level by telling us about absences along the way. Tony leaves the family for two years to serve in World War I, Rose goes away to college, and then on an extended trip to Europe. But Rose often refers to Tony as her brother, and Tony, once he realizes he’s in love with Rose, knows that he has to change her view of him from brother to lover. It’s especially odd since the family all live together in the same house—a mansion, but still—to think of what it must be like when a couple who have lived as brother and sister suddenly decide they are in love and want to get married. That has to make for some awkward moments for all concerned. But that is probably over-thinking the scenario, when it is better to accept it at face value.
Overall, I love this book—which I have read many times, and expect to read many more—and Emilie Loring continues to be one of my all-time favorite authors.
This particular novel focuses a great deal on the relationship between mothers and their children and how important that relationship can be. Using three examples of mothers (good, bad, and indifferent), Ms. Loring shows her belief that a mother with ideas and ideals can make all the difference in a child’s life. As the hero of the story, Tony Hamilton, contrasts his adoptive mother with his biological mother, he reflects: “always he had felt about him her ideals, her belief that men were the finest force in the world, her faith and trust in him which must not be betrayed. His own mother had thought only of herself.” It’s an uplifting theme, highlighted by Ms. Loring’s unfailing optimism and belief in the best of people.
The only quibble I have with this book is the close, near-brother-and-sister relationship between the hero and heroine. Tony Hamilton has been living with the Grahame family for ten years when the story begins and has watched Rose, the heroine, grow up from the time she was twelve. Ms. Loring deals with this on some level by telling us about absences along the way. Tony leaves the family for two years to serve in World War I, Rose goes away to college, and then on an extended trip to Europe. But Rose often refers to Tony as her brother, and Tony, once he realizes he’s in love with Rose, knows that he has to change her view of him from brother to lover. It’s especially odd since the family all live together in the same house—a mansion, but still—to think of what it must be like when a couple who have lived as brother and sister suddenly decide they are in love and want to get married. That has to make for some awkward moments for all concerned. But that is probably over-thinking the scenario, when it is better to accept it at face value.
Overall, I love this book—which I have read many times, and expect to read many more—and Emilie Loring continues to be one of my all-time favorite authors.
October 7, 2007
Emilie Loring was able to write numerous "romance" novels. They are set in the early to mid 1900's, and since those are some of my favorite eras, I'm quite pleased. Many of the story lines are somewhat predictable, but they are usually filled out with dynamic and strong characters. The books are enjoyable and fun to read!:)
October 13, 2015
2 1/2
I will be honest, I picked this up because it look like a sweet romance with a light mystery set during the late twenties.
I will be honest, I picked this up because it look like a sweet romance with a light mystery set during the late twenties.
July 6, 2018
I started reading Emile Loring books when I picked up a paperback from a rack in a hotel lobby (for 50 cents) while on my sister's & my yearly vacation to visit my father. Hooked! I went on to purchase and read every Emilie Loring romance written and available in paperback, not knowing that she had died before I was even born. I loved these books, but read them when I was between about 12 and 18 years old. I was a young reader - do keep that in mind! :-)
July 25, 2023
Loring's writing style, as always, was very pretty and detailed. The plot, however, was simply not for me. I didn't care for that or the romance. I kept hoping that it would get better, and I'd say that the last maybe 30 pages were the best of the entire novel. That being said, I can't give it more than 2 stars due to my enjoyment being low. I was disappointed, since I have really enjoyed many of Loring's novels in the past. I suppose this just wasn't the book for me.
May 4, 2022
Racist and sexist with predictable plot. A bore.
Emilie Loring's books are full of once acceptable racist tropes. From the caricature of black speech to her use of the word 'greasers' for Mexicans the book is offensive on every page.
Emilie Loring's books are full of once acceptable racist tropes. From the caricature of black speech to her use of the word 'greasers' for Mexicans the book is offensive on every page.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews