Breaking Smith's Quarter Horse

by Paul St. Pierre

Smith--a man of moderate ambition, unknown first name, and dubious companions--has a quarter horse in which he has great faith. But the path from quarter horse of good stock to cutting horse of skill and finesse is strewn with obstacles, unforgettable characters and the kind of earthy humor Paul St. Pierre's writing is known for.

Genres: Westerns, Classics

164 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1969

About the author

Paul H. St. Pierre was a journalist and author in British Columbia, Canada, where he served as Member of Parliament for the riding of Coast Chilcotin from 1968-1972. He was the first Canadian winner of the Western Writers of America Spur Award for fiction.

Reviews

[Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is so well told, full of so much life and humor and the inevitable dark streaks that cut across the heart … the book is so rich and bristling with wilderness, fascinating people, beautiful horses, majestic mountains, sprawling landscapes, cloud high forests … it’s a place where I lived and rode and stuck close to Nature … I was just back two years ago and some things have changed, but not much.

An excellent and entertaining read. Paul knows how to write and how to take you there.

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming book. Set in the British Columbia region of Canada. Smith is a small time rancher who is connected strongly to both the land and the local Native American population. He generally tries to keep his nose out of other people's business but somehow always gets roped in anyway, and it usually ends badly for him. Great humor and some of the best dialect writing I've every seen. I really enjoyed it. Not a book necessarily to be read as a page turner, but one to be savored for the language and characters.

[Mark Lisac · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would you want to live with the people in St. Pierre's book? Possibly at a distance of a good half-hour's drive. They're too ornery for constant close contact. But they are people you can believe in. You root for all of them except for one devious and self-serving character. They tend to get in their own way, as a lot of people in the real world do. They survive. St. Pierre blesses them with a benign fate, which does not always tolerate ordinary, good-hearted folks in the real world. But sometimes it does. It's good to read a story in which that happens. And one written in language that's both colourful and down to earth.
If only more writers now would share the principles that St. Pierre laid down in his introduction to the 1984 paper edition: "If there is a moral in this book, it is not my fault. If there is social relevance, it crept in without alerting me, in which case I would have hit it with a stick." He may or may not have wanted to admit under questioning that it's hard to write about people without morality and social relevance creeping into the story, but at least you don't have to force them in or even make them the starting point, as many modern writers do. Held up very well in a reread about 35 years after first encountering it.

[Tracee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is there something I’m missing? I don’t see the fascination with this book. Why was this book prescribed reading in high school? I preferred the author’s “Boss of the Namko Drive” to this book.

I was intrigued by the character “Ol Antoine” as I thought he would provide the answers to a decades-long mystery within my family. Two of my family members has an inside secret on someone named “Ol Antoine” and would never divulge the source or the reason for their giggling. One member even named their cat after the character. I am sad to say nothing about the character revealed any secrets to me, no scales were removed from my eyes, sadly.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read of a time before. Smith and his wife Norah are a simple, hardworking ranching couple in the Chilcoutin. They work hard, no time for play. While Smith is determined he will convince Ol Antione to use his expertise to break a quarter horse, it seems that while they haven’t caught the horse, the plan will be postponed and postponed. When a local man is mistakenly jailed and charged with murder, Smith is hesitant to get involved as he has hay to get in, and times are tough, the bank is threatening loss of credit and life is hard. But go to town he does, against all his principles.

Charming story of another time, not so long ago but so much simpler.

[Nikayla Reize · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed out loud and cried -- excellent story telling

[Peter B · Rating 3 out of 5]

An old piece of work (1966) but the Chilcotin presented by St. Pierre has not changed in many ways. This is a more a slice of life than a novel and an interesting read.

[A McCannel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I happened upon this book by chance, and really enjoyed it. I loved the very Canadian content.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

St. Pierre is a great story teller, slowly introducing you to characters and their connections to each other. I was reminded of "Cannery Row" and the ne'er-do-wells in the local community, the Cariboo Region of British Columbia.

[Liz Barlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful little post modern book! Full of humour. Descriptions really take you into that environment. Peopled with endearing characters. Enjoyed it a lot!

[Ron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read my review at my blog.

[Deb]

Two Thumbs Up!

[Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite books. He knows his people and his cow country, and draws them tongue in cheek. Hard to keep from laughing out loud..

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Western Lit with a message. Liked it.

[Allison]

novel studies

[Bruth George · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amusing story, interesting language

[Anna MacDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really a 4.5, but I decided to round up. Love this book. Very quick read.

[Andrea Dumont · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a Canadian western with loveable characters, real relationships, and a hilarious writing style. Plot is so engaging I finished it on one long plane ride. I realized I don't know a whole lot about cowboy culture. He's got me intrigued now. Highly recommend.