• Half Broke Horses

  • A True-Life Novel
  • By: Jeannette Walls
  • Narrated by: Jeannette Walls
  • Length: 7 hrs and 55 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (3,145 ratings)

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Half Broke Horses  By  cover art

Half Broke Horses

By: Jeannette Walls
Narrated by: Jeannette Walls
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Editorial reviews

Based on the true story of the life of Jeanette Walls’ grandmother, Half-broke Horses is the endearing tale of Lily Casey Smith, a woman born into poverty in the early 1900s frontier of west Texas. Intelligent, despite her spotted 8th grade education, Smith knows her purpose on earth is more than just breaking-in horses on her daddy’s farm and she sets off across the desert at age 15 to teach children in Arizona. Smith is scrappy and independent, clearly a woman before her time. In her early 20s when she learns that the traveling salesman she married actually already has a wife and kids, she puts her six-shooter revolver with the pearl handle in her purse and hits him with it, giving him a good “pistol-whippin’”.

Walls, the best-selling author of her own memoir The Glass Castle, tells her grandmother’s story in a matter-of-fact, no-nonsense way probably much in same way as her grandmother shared these stories with her. It can be shocking that Smith speaks of her best friend’s death in the same tone as she does of, say, playing a hand of poker, but it’s realistic a snapshot of the era. In her narration, Walls’ accent is a bit mottled a little southern, with hints of other dialects thrown in which can be distracting at times, but it also suits Smith, a girl from west Texas who had an Irish father with a speech impediment.

Smith does find true happiness with her second husband and eventually settles down (if you can call selling whiskey during Prohibition by hiding it under her baby’s crib “settling down”). But this heroine’s adventures racing horses, surviving flash floods and tornadoes, and playing poker will stick with you long after Walls has finished describing them. Colleen Oakley

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)

What listeners say about Half Broke Horses

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Great Story

It really rings true, and it’s enlightening to learn about the culture of the old west. Loved Lily

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A woman with wonderful spirit

Wonderful to read about this resourceful, determined woman and her family. True, old fashioned, never give up Americans. The strength and backbone of our country.

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loved it

I just loved the story line what a fearless woman.
I could listen to Jeanette Walls all day!!!
Love her voice and delivery of the story.

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Really tried to finish it but couldn't take it.

I'm not sure what a "true life novel" is but this was just bad. Is it a novel? Is it a biography? Regardless, the main character was so full of herself that I had to stop reading. I really tried. I wanted to like it. I almost made it to the end but just couldn't do it. Somewhere in the middle I thought she might redeem herself but nope, still completely full of herself.

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A bit disapointed

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I loved Jeannette Walls' book The Glass Castle so I had high hopes for this one. But I was somewhat disapointed...I think it came down to not liking the reader more so than the story itself.

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    5 out of 5 stars

Half Broke Horses great

I liked My Antonia because of the historical information. This is similar and better because of the modern references. I recommend this to anyone who likes U.S. history in the 20th century. The author narrating is fine. Some didn't like it, but I did.

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    5 out of 5 stars

Simply Marvelous!

I am part of a small lunch time book club with some friends from work. We all agreed that this book was a great read. We (well most of us) had read and enjoyed Glass Castle, Jeannette Walls' first book, and were delighted when another novel by her came out. Excellent read. This book is a "true life novel" about her grandmother Lilly Casey, born 1901. Jeannette writes it in 1st person and she also narrates the book which really gives it a personal feeling. There is an explanation at the end about why it's a true life novel and not a memoir but the adventures of Lilly Casey are based on stories from her family, specifically her mother Rosemary, and other family. We all loved it and highly recommend.

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    4 out of 5 stars

What my life would have been 100 years ago

I thoroughly enjoy all books based on real life stories -- especially of the hardships of earlier America. I truly empathized with the main female character as I was a tomboy myself. The story draws you in and keeps you interested. True history is well entwined with a fascinating story. It was a nice different point of the view of the era than the usual non-fiction. The way a "cowboy" story should be.

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Great Book

I loved this book and have recommended it to everyone. It is a must read/listen. I am glad I picked this one first and now listening to "The Glass Castle"

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Lily's life

I loved the book! I will follow this author for a very long time.
I think her voice is wonderful to listen to. it's not monotoned like so many audio books are. She brings her Grandmother to life for sure.

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