Half Broke Horses: Review by Barbara

April 2016

HALF BROKE HORSES by Jeannette Walls

Review for Anstett Book Club

from Barbara Lechner

I read this book about 3 years ago and enjoyed the adventures and the time and place in history.

I'm not going to re-read it, so these will be memory and perception...

While reading this book, I remember thinking that historically women seemed to be stronger back at the turn of the century – the 20^th that is! Maybe it's because they became more visible or their exploits recorded. I know the many wars – starting with the Civil War (19^th century) and including WWII – gave women more opportunity and recognition. Or, maybe I'm all wrong and it's because there WERE SO FEW women that stood out of the mainstream.

At any rate, Jeannette Walls documents the life of her grandmother, Lily Casey Smith. She was so alive and ready for anything. I have a hard time agreeing with the cover jacket when they compare her to my idol Isak Dinesen in Out of Africa, but there is some comparison.

I recommend reading Walls book The Glass Castle. It is unbelievable and I enjoyed it as much as this book or more!