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Minstrel Boy
Copyright 1970, 1st edition in USA, ex-library, hardcover, 215 pages. "Based on a true story. Mrs Meredith's son, Philip, was killed on the Western Front during the First World War. She is determined that his horse, Minstrel Boy, will win the Grand National, running in Philip's name. Mrs Meredith is horribly driven and blithely unaware of anyone else's suffering. Mrs. Meredith finally achieves some happiness which changes her outlook on others." Library cardholder/stamps/notations inside with sticker taped to lower spine. Corner tips are starting to fray. Binding is secure.
215 pages, Hardcover
First published February 23, 1970
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About the author
Vian Smith
49 books5 followersVian Smith was an English author and horse trainer. Spanning fiction and nonfiction, his work focuses on the relationship between people and horses and prominently features the Devon moorland Dartmoor. Smith died at 49.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 26, 2022
I wanted to like this book but was bored for most of it. :(
June 19, 2024
This is a review of the 1970 Doubleday hardback edition (although I don't think it ever came out in paperback.)
I've seen this listed as a children's book, but it's definitely a book for adults. It's main theme is the quest for immortality, using a grieving mother's obsession with her late son's horse as a metaphor. Now, if your kid wants to read it, fine, but it'll be hard going.
It's also a good look at life between the world wars in England. The prose is lush but not laid on too thick. There are a few minor plots intertwined with the main plot. One of the main characters is a crippled, incontinent man with mental problems. You don't often see this kind of guy in kids' books. Usually, the main character is a kid.
This is billed as based on a true story from the 1923 Grand National, but that's hogwash. There are slight elements from that race in here, such as a rich American entering a horse, but The Minstrel Boy is a wholly fictional horse.
Americans might be put off by the title, since "minstrel" in America refers to a singer or musician in blackface. Minstrel is a much older word than America. Here, the horse is named after the European meaning of the word.
American readers may also be confused as to why such fuss is made of a jump race. In the UK, the Grand National is the most prestigious race there is, even over the Epsom Derby (pronounced DAR bee). This could be because the race is so hard to handicap. In recent decades, the field is usually the full 40. In 1923, the field was 28.
Vian Smith, who tragically died young, was a brilliant writer. American lovers of horse books may be familiar with the wonderful Tall and Proud, also about a steeplechase horse. One day in 2022, I saw a copy of this for sale cheap on eBay. There wasn't any blurb or anything. I took the gamble, bought it ... and it paid off.
I can't recommend this book highly enough.
I've seen this listed as a children's book, but it's definitely a book for adults. It's main theme is the quest for immortality, using a grieving mother's obsession with her late son's horse as a metaphor. Now, if your kid wants to read it, fine, but it'll be hard going.
It's also a good look at life between the world wars in England. The prose is lush but not laid on too thick. There are a few minor plots intertwined with the main plot. One of the main characters is a crippled, incontinent man with mental problems. You don't often see this kind of guy in kids' books. Usually, the main character is a kid.
This is billed as based on a true story from the 1923 Grand National, but that's hogwash. There are slight elements from that race in here, such as a rich American entering a horse, but The Minstrel Boy is a wholly fictional horse.
Americans might be put off by the title, since "minstrel" in America refers to a singer or musician in blackface. Minstrel is a much older word than America. Here, the horse is named after the European meaning of the word.
American readers may also be confused as to why such fuss is made of a jump race. In the UK, the Grand National is the most prestigious race there is, even over the Epsom Derby (pronounced DAR bee). This could be because the race is so hard to handicap. In recent decades, the field is usually the full 40. In 1923, the field was 28.
Vian Smith, who tragically died young, was a brilliant writer. American lovers of horse books may be familiar with the wonderful Tall and Proud, also about a steeplechase horse. One day in 2022, I saw a copy of this for sale cheap on eBay. There wasn't any blurb or anything. I took the gamble, bought it ... and it paid off.
I can't recommend this book highly enough.
March 3, 2015
Much more than a story about a horse.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews