Themes

• Healing and redemption

• Human-animal bond

• Power of nature and rural life

• Family relationships and strain

• Overcoming trauma and grief

• Forbidden love and its consequences

• Self-discovery and personal growth

Setting

Set in the mid-1990s, The Horse Whisperer spans two distinct geographical regions of the United States. The story begins in upstate New York, a picturesque area known for its rolling hills, forests, and harsh winters. This setting provides the backdrop for the tragic accident that sets the narrative in motion, with snow-covered roads and icy slopes playing a crucial role in the events that unfold.

The majority of the novel, however, takes place in Montana, specifically on a ranch nestled in the Rocky Mountain Front. This vast, rugged landscape becomes a character in itself, with Evans vividly describing the “massive sky” and the untamed beauty of the American West. The ranch, with its wide-open spaces and connection to nature, serves as a stark contrast to the urban environment the protagonists leave behind.

Within Montana, the story touches on various locations typical of ranch life, including pastures, stables, and the surrounding wilderness. The presence of wild mustangs in the area adds another layer to the setting, emphasizing the raw, primal nature of the environment. This backdrop becomes integral to the healing process for both the human and equine characters, as well as the development of relationships throughout the novel.

Characters

• Grace Maclean: A 13-year-old girl who suffers a traumatic horse-riding accident. She loses part of her right leg and becomes withdrawn and bitter after the incident. Grace's journey to healing, both physically and emotionally, forms a central part of the story. Her relationship with her horse, Pilgrim, is deeply intertwined with her own recovery.

• Annie Graves: Grace's mother and a successful magazine editor. Annie is determined to help her daughter and horse recover, leading her to seek out Tom Booker. She undergoes her own emotional journey throughout the novel, including an affair with Tom. Annie's character explores themes of motherhood, career, and personal desires.

• Tom Booker: The titular “horse whisperer” with a remarkable ability to heal troubled horses. Tom's gentle and intuitive approach helps not only Pilgrim but also impacts the lives of Grace and Annie. His character embodies themes of healing, connection with nature, and the power of empathy.

• Pilgrim: Grace's horse who is also severely traumatized by the accident. Pilgrim's recovery parallels Grace's own healing process. The horse's journey from a dangerous, unpredictable state to eventual recovery is central to the plot.

• Robert Maclean: Grace's father and Annie's husband. He appears briefly in the novel and represents the life Annie leaves behind when she travels to Montana. Robert's character highlights the strain the accident puts on the family dynamics.

• Judith: Grace's best friend who dies in the accident at the beginning of the novel. Her death serves as a catalyst for the events that follow and deeply affects Grace's emotional state.

Quick facts

• It was Nicholas Evans' debut novel, published in 1995

• The book became the 10th best-selling novel in the United States in 1995

• It has sold over 15 million copies worldwide

• Robert Redford bought the film rights for £3 million

• The character of Tom Booker was inspired by real-life horse whisperer Buck Brannaman

• The novel appeared at #195 on the BBC's “The Big Read” poll of the UK's best-loved books

• Evans wrote the book without ever having visited Montana, where much of it is set

• The film adaptation, starring Robert Redford and Scarlett Johansson, was released in 1998

• The movie's ending differs significantly from the book's more tragic conclusion

• The novel explores themes of healing, redemption, and the human-animal bond

About the Author

Nicholas Evans, born in 1950 in Worcestershire, England, was a British journalist, screenwriter, and novelist. He studied law at Oxford University before embarking on a career in television production. Evans worked on various programs, including Weekend World and The South Bank Show, gaining valuable experience in storytelling and media.

Evans' life took a dramatic turn in the early 1990s when he heard about “horse whisperers” - individuals with the ability to heal traumatized horses. This inspiration led him to write his debut novel, The Horse Whisperer, published in 1995. The book became an international sensation, selling over 15 million copies worldwide and being translated into 36 languages.

The success of The Horse Whisperer catapulted Evans into literary stardom. The novel was adapted into a film in 1998, directed by and starring Robert Redford. Evans went on to write several more bestselling novels, including The Loop (1998), The Smoke Jumper (2001), and The Divide (2005). His works often explored themes of nature, human relationships, and healing.

Tragically, Evans' life was marked by a near-fatal incident in 2008 when he and his family accidentally consumed poisonous mushrooms. This experience led to kidney failure and a subsequent transplant in 2011. Despite this setback, Evans continued writing, publishing his final novel, The Brave, in 2010. He passed away on August 9, 2022, leaving behind a legacy of captivating storytelling and a profound impact on contemporary literature.