Dark Horses and Black Beauties: Animals, Women, a Passion

I disliked this book for several reasons. I don't care for the author's wordy style of writing. Sentences meander down the page for 5, 6, 7 and more lines, leaving the reader anxiously awaiting the appearance of a period. I was repeatedly annoyed by the author's habit of making implications or revealing just a corner of the picture, then blithly skipping on to the next topic without ever completing the story, making a point, or reaching a conclusion. I was frustrated by the author's practice of describing some act of animal cruelty that she observed/read about/heard about without providing any details or context.

In the end, however, I was most offended by the "bait and switch" feeling this book gave me. Years ago, as a horse-crazed little girl, I accepted a librarian's recommendation and took "Black Beauty" home to read. After sobbing my way through the first half of the book, I returned it unfinished, feeling betrayed by the librarian that made the recommendation. "Dark Horses and Black Beauties" didn't inspire quite that depth of emotion, but it still left me feeling cheated.