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)

Wonderful biography of Northern Arizona History

This book is a great book on it's own and is a wonderful compliment to her previous book. I listened while driving through this Northern Arizona area on my way to Northern Nevada. The old towns came alive with history and her life - as many of the pioneers to this area - was bigger than life. They don't make & seldom write about great characters like that today. I feel this book was very accurate to all the history and ranch life stories that I grew up hearing about.

Full of truths on many levels

Would you listen to Half Broke Horses again? Why?

Written by a real horse person who understands horses and riding and the parallels with many life experiences. Based in history, well researched, not predictable but believable.

What other book might you compare Half Broke Horses to and why?

If you're a horse person who likes a thread of real horsemanship run thru a memorable and entertaining story, listen to "The Horse Dancer." Print version not available in the U.S. tho.

Who was the most memorable character of Half Broke Horses and why?

Lilly, she's real, honest, straightforward and opinionated.

Any additional comments?

The people who critized the reader should write their own books and read them, for pete's sake why be picky about someone's accent.....

great story, inspirational

I dont as a rule buy books about people and their lives. I like books with plenty of action, car chases, expulsions, magic creatures. a sword or two. but I had a free book to order and I do like stories about the past so I took a chance. thoroughly enjoyable book. Lily was a formidable character leading a hard life and excelling. I like that the ending did not involve a maudlin last act where she passes away surrounded by friends and family. the ending was excellent, story left off at the perfect spot with the perfect last sentence. two most important sentences in any book, the first and last. an imperfect lending can spoil the whole book. read it. you won't be disappointed.

A Wonderfu listen!

Just like her other book....this is a total pleasure and ends much too quickly. Her voice and style are so enjoyable I could listen to her all day. Wishing there were even more in this series but alas not. Her charm, delivery, stories, character, insight and honesty make this one of the best listens I've had in a long time. Sit back...listen....dream...and enjoy!

Enjoy the ride

This book brings you into the American southwest during a period when life was tough an you had to be tough to survive. Lilly does and provides life lessons along the way. You won't be disappointed. Go along for the ride.

Interesting Life but Dysfunctional Too

I enjoyed the spirited life of the author’s grandmother, but she was also pretty uninspiring in how she always thought she new best while making some pretty dumb decisions. I was amazed she was a school teacher because often, she just didn’t seem smart enough. She was a hard worker though, and gutsy, if at times a little selfish. I didn’t mind the narration, but a professional narrator would have improved the experience.

Sooo good

Great story. This is a wonderful addition to the Glass Castle. If we can all work hard and look for the best like Lilly we will be doing good!

Loved it!

I didn’t think it would be as good as Glass Houses but it was! I loved learning all the historical information. It made me feel that, as a woman, I could also survive just like Lily did during those most difficult times.

Very enjoyable

I truly enjoyed listening to this story. It is like asking your grandparents to tell you about their life experiences growing up. We don’t have things like that anymore.

Explanation

This book gave some background that was very helpful in understanding Ms. Walls unconventional upbringing. (The Glass Castle) Ms. Walls mother had been very influenced by the hard scrabble life of the American west and her family's need to survive. It was not comfortable nor safe. In giving us the story of her grandparents, her own mother's life and choices became more understandable. Jeanette Walls certainly channeled her grandmother's grit to become a respected author. Good for her.