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The Language of Hoofbeats  By  cover art

The Language of Hoofbeats

By: Catherine Ryan Hyde
Narrated by: Kate Rudd,Laural Merlington
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Publisher's summary

From the bestselling author of Pay It Forward comes a story of the heartbreak and healing power of family. New to a small town, Jackie and Paula envision a quiet life for their kids: a young adopted son and two teenage foster children, including the troubled Star. However, they quickly butt heads with their neighbor, Clementine, who disapproves of their lifestyle and is incensed when Star befriends her spirited horse, Comet. Haunted by past tragedy and unable to properly care for Comet, Clem nevertheless resents the bond Star soon shares with the horse. When Star disappears with Comet, the neighbors are thrown together - far too close together. But as the search for the pair wears on, both families must learn to put aside their animosity and confront the choices they've made and the scars they carry. Plumbing the depths of regret and forgiveness, The Language of Hoofbeats explores the strange alchemy that transforms a group of people into a family.

©2014 Catherine Ryan Hyde (P)2014 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: LGBTQ+

What listeners say about The Language of Hoofbeats

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Simple yet captivating story

I almost passed over this book because the premise seemed so simple. However from the first 5 minutes I could barely turn it off. The performance was excellent and the story had just enough unpredictable turns to keep my attention at a time when I was highly distractable. I expect I will remember it better than most of the 35-40 books I read and listen to each year.

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14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A Girl and Her Horse

Star is a new girl in a new town where there is nothing for the town's teens to do and she has two moms. What's a girl to do? Why in the great tradition of girls and horses she gets tight with her new neighbors horse. The only trouble with the plan is the horse's owner Clementine; a woman seemingly angry with the world and everyone in it. Throw in the fact that Star does have two moms and a test of wills between the two of them begins. Though the two of them eventually begin to wear each other down an event occurs that will tear them even further apart.
This is the type of selection that makes any audiobook by Catherine Ryan Hyde worthy of some consideration. The relationships formed between people are the strength of this author's work and the ones between Star and Comet, (the horse) Star and Clementine are classic Ryan. The roles played by the mothers is understated as is the Sheriff's until the last quarter of the book. This is one of the better works of an excellent writer.

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14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Well written story, narration falls short

The story itself is enjoyable, touching, and well paced. The narrators do an okay job with the adult voices, but the children's voices are difficult to listen to. The youngest child's voice is monotone and always shouting. The voice of the 13 year old boy sounds more like a middle aged man. A better narrator would have made this book a 5.

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11 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Happily ever after . . . .

This story was not as good as the two previous Ryan Hyde books I read/listened to. It had some parts that dragged a bit but I found myself more drawn in by the second half of the story. No sense in me summarizing the plot, Audible did an adequate job of it. Oh, okay, I will. Two lesbian foster parents deal with a messed up teen girl who steals the curmudgeon neighbor lady's neglected horse and threatens the happiness of their two other children (who are like no children I ever knew from the foster care system, saintly almost.)

You might enjoy this book if you like chick lit, you like kids and horses, you are a lesbian, or you have loved some of the authors other books. (It's really not a bad book.)

Additionally, the narrators did an excellent job which always adds to the listening experience.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great performers and strong story

The book is about family with two mums and three foster kids moving to a new town and the ensuing turmoil when Star, a troubled teenager, steals their new and very difficult neighbour's horse. The story is told from the perpective of Clementine, the mean and abrasive neighbour and Jackie, one of the Forster parents. The story is beautifully written and read. The characters start to feel like friends and family as you get to know them. Highly recommend this book to all

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Lots to like, but...

This is a story about an older woman who has suffered some significant losses and three foster children who move in across the road from her, who teach her something about dealing with loss. The old woman's story, and the narrator who tells it, is outstanding! Pretty much anyone can relate and the way the author weaves the tale is right on par with all the other books I've read (or listened to) by this same author. But the foster mom who tells the other point of view in this book is just such a WHINER!! Listening to her "side" quickly became a real pain. Real to life, for sure. I've known women like her - and I want nothing to do with them! Can't make decisions or handle every day issues, complain about everything, think the world revolves around them and their feelings - or should. I got to the point where I dreaded it being "her turn" to speak!! If I hadn't enjoyed the old woman's voice and story so much, I'd have thrown this one back. If that kind of pain in the neck whining doesn't bother you, go for it. But if you can't stand it in real like, pass this one by and choose another book. This author has many good books. This is not one of them.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Nice story, great narration

nice to hear a story that deals with the reality of being human without the dark twists and turns of fantasy. great character development, I feel like I know these people.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Bad from the get go

I’m so sad I paid money for this book. The summary did not mention a homosexual couple…. Just can’t go there. Such a disappointment…. I have loved so many of her books….

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Lots of bogus author opinions thrown in

Ok I’m ok with the lesbian couple even though it’s not mentioned in the book description. But then we get schooled by the author how horrible white people are and how every minority would be given an unfair break at a court hearing. Like the very unlikely scenario of the foster kid’s mother not having a lawyer and everyone overlooks it. The foster parents didn’t seem to care about the missing kid much. Not a great book, nothing like another book she’s written. Hit or miss with this author. But leave your political leanings out of books please.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

A 3.5

This is not my usual choice of book. Most books of this genre don't feel realistic and I loose interest in them quickly. But this author brings real issues into a world of imperfect people who have their hearts in the right place.

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1 person found this helpful