Half Broke Horses

A True-Life Novel

By: Jeannette Walls

Narrated by: Jeannette Walls

Length: 7 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

2010 Audie Award Finalist for Narration by the Author

Jeannette Walls's memoir The Glass Castle was "nothing short of spectacular" ( Entertainment Weekly). Now, in Half Broke Horses, she brings us the story of her grandmother, told in a first-person voice that is authentic, irresistible, and triumphant.

"Those old cows knew trouble was coming before we did." So begins the story of Lily Casey Smith, Jeannette Walls's no nonsense, resourceful, and spectacularly compelling grandmother. By age six, Lily was helping her father break horses. At 15, she left home to teach in a frontier town - riding 500 miles on her pony, alone, to get to her job. She learned to drive a car ("I loved cars even more than I loved horses. They didn't need to be fed if they weren't working, and they didn't leave big piles of manure all over the place") and fly a plane. And, with her husband Jim, she ran a vast ranch in Arizona. She raised two children, one of whom is Jeannette's memorable mother, Rosemary Smith Walls, unforgettably portrayed in The Glass Castle.

Lily survived tornadoes, droughts, floods, the Great Depression, and the most heartbreaking personal tragedy. She bristled at prejudice of all kinds -- against women, Native Americans, and anyone else who didn't fit the mold. Rosemary Smith Walls always told Jeannette that she was like her grandmother, and in this true-life novel, Jeannette Walls channels that kindred spirit.

Half Broke Horses is Laura Ingalls Wilder for adults, as riveting and dramatic as Isak Dinesen's Out of Africa or Beryl Markham's West with the Night. Destined to become a classic, it will transfix audiences everywhere.

©2009 Jeanette Walls (P)2009 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"Lily Casey Smith is one astonishing woman...a half-broke horse herself who's clearly passed on her best traits to her granddaughter. Told in a natural, offhand voice that is utterly enthralling, this is essential reading for anyone who loves good fiction." ( Library Journal)

Loved the story from beginning to end

This happens before Jeanette's other book the Glass Castle.
I already read that book A few years ago but I'm now going to read it again, this time listening to it. Remarkable true stories with extreme personalities and no lack of drama.

Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls

Not as good as the Glass Castle, but still a great story.
I like the author's style of writing and she is good at narrating her own material.

Enlightening

Interesting, entertaining and enlightening is the best way to describe this book. I grew up on the east coast and have always been fascinated about how people before all the luxuries we are so privileged to have survived as they settled and planted roots out west. This book pretty much detailed a lot if the struggles Americans had in creating roots in the West and establishing life in a ranch during tough times.

Read After Glass Castle. Wonderful

Have you listened to any of Jeannette Walls’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Jeanette Walls's writing and performance in this audio book keeps your attention, grabs your heart and creates an emotional connection to the characters. Having just finished Glass Castle I wanted to continue the connection and Half Broke Horses was successful in doing so. Although a different story, different perspective, the rhythm was the same and writing smooth. Highly recommended.

Fantastic prequel to The Glass Castle

Fantastic! Jeannette Walls is a true inspiration. I loved reading about her grandmothers life. It really filled in some gaps as I read the Glass Castle first. Thank you Jeannette for sharing your family’s stories.

Could not put it down

I absolutely loved this book and hope it becomes a movie, like the Glass Castle.

Great true life book.

This was an interesting, true story, about a young woman growing up on a ranch, becoming a school teacher, and raising a family in rural Arizona. if you like reading true life history in story form, you'll love it.

fantastic and inspiring.

A great and relatable story and an amazing true character. I truely loved it and I loved hearing it from the writer herself. Thank you!

Another win for Walls

I was very fond of the The Glass Castle, so when I saw Jeannette Walls had written another book I snatched it up immediately! Half Broke Horses did not disappoint. I loved the author's candor and the tone of the book kept me coming back for more day after day.

This book is an absolute delight from beginning to end!

a book to "fall" into

I really enjoyed the story and the way it was read. i felt i was right there. i wanted the story to continue. i couldnt just stop listening.