~~~The Intruder~~~. Review on Horse Whisperer, The - Evans Nicholas

A Child Wounded in Body and Spirit, A horse driven mad by Pain, A woman fighting to save them both and the man who is their only hope....says the book cover of 'THE HORSE WHISPERER.'   Are you interested?  I was.

The novel started with a somewhat spoiler, to say, "There was death at its beginning as there would be death again at its end."   Does this spoil the show too much for a 450 odd pages book?  Not really.  After the initial fastness, the story moves in a slow pace; in fact in a very slow pace.    This do takes a toll on the overall likeability but not always.    Thankfully the author gives some hope jumping to breaths relief in key situations.    Predictability of the quick climax in the end takes away some fun but I know the author was left without an option.

Occassional thoughts in the book are asset for it and probably they are the highlights.   For example, consider this "The girl looked down and saw a lace of frost had formed on the lower part of the window and she placed a finger on it, melting a small hole.   She shivered, not from the cold, but from the thrill that this transformed world was for the moment entirely hers."   By reading this in page number 4, I decided, I am going to complete reading this book and going to like it.   Also, consider this quote: "Sometimes what seems like surrender isn't surrender at all.  It's about what's going on in our hearts.   About seeing clearly the way life is and accepting it and being true to it, whatever the pain, because the pain of not being true to it is far, far greater."   I mean, the thoughts on life from the book are good for meditation and I like it.   My only complaint is that they are few, but who values the merit of a good thought?

What supposed to be an inspirational novel turned to be a romantic novel.  Does this switching of genre take away my interest?  Not really, as it served half purpose here and half purpose there and I like both genres.   Still, it would have been better, it was stick to one genre.

Characterisation in the novel is very good, in most part.  However, the decisions taken in some situations are a let down.   The best of ambiguity is on Annie's decision to betray Robert; I could not find a reason for her.   Also, I didn't find any reason for Tom Brooker's decision in the finale.  I mean, he was talking all the philosophy from the world and outside world as if a messiah and making a stupid decision to accept whatever told and did was a mistake is not digesting to my senses.   Yes, there is some concern for the little girl, but that was considered before and didn't seems bothered them too much.   Now, can I complain about the white stallion's decision to stay on even after the group members all gone?  Similarly, Grace's sudden mind change for her mother, though cinematic, only fascinate for a short time.

Then, in some cases the decisions by characters get applauds for its boldness.  Annie's decision to take the horse all the way was one such.   Pilgrim's reason for hate against the world is understandable and presented well.    So, I can say, it is on mix of Excellent and Bad decisions and situations the author build his story.

There are occasions which we can say class and excellent but the beauty of those are undone sooner or later with some wrong move or decision.

The novel seems impressed Nicholas Sparks to the extent of characters from this get a rebirth in his novel 'The Best of Me' though in different names and locations.   For the later's merit, he gave a reason for the wife's decision in the form of making the husband a drunkard Plus the lover in question an ex.   The beauty of nature is been shown as a place like heaven and the death in the end is fighting with a constant enemy and yes, both leaves a present of value.  Anyway, the set up is different but in essence, both remain the same, including the feel.   As I have read 'The Best of Me' before, it also spoiled the show as the climax was more than evident.

Leaving ambiguity for key situations is one trick used by Nicholas Evans to generate suspense.  This serves its purpose in some situations but for some other it backfires.

Overall, it is a likeable novel for an easy read but not without taking your time and thought.   It is a good novel, fall short of very good tag due to slow pace and lack of logic to decisions by characters which makes it unconvincing at times.  Never mind, it is a moving novel where you can emotionally attach to characters and situations at times.