The Truth About Horses, Christy Cashman’s debut book, is a moving tale of coming-of-age that goes beyond the clichés of the subject.
It’s a story about overcoming adversity, the therapeutic value of relationships between people and animals, and the bravery to pursue aspirations in the face of overwhelming obstacles.
For fourteen-year-old Reese Chandler, horses are everything. A bright future full of equestrian glory is promised by her relationship with her beloved mare, Trusted Treasure. But that hope is dashed when Trusted Treasure sustains a fatal injury.
This catastrophe sets off a chain reaction of losses. The family’s horse breeding company fails, and Reese’s emotional distance from her father grows.
Cashman captures Reese’s sorrow with such skill. It’s realistic, unpolished, and raw. It feels natural to be angry at her father, who seems to have moved on with his life. The story doesn’t sugarcoat the intricacies of family relationships, especially after a tragedy.
Here comes Wes, a reserved young guy with an unusual method of horse training. Wes, who is initially uncomfortable with Reese, ends up being a surprising source of support and direction. One of the book’s highlights is their dynamic.
It grows naturally, based on a mutual understanding of loss and a shared love of horses. Although Wes’s past is still unknown, Reese is challenged by his quiet strength and nontraditional approaches.
The horses themselves are not only incidental features. Throughout the narrative, Trusted Treasure’s ghost lingers, serving as a continual reminder of both loss and the priceless relationship between a rider and a horse.
Cashman vividly describes the animals as Reese prepares a new horse for the arduous Black Elk endurance race. We sense the strength beneath their feet, the confidence in their gaze, and the unspoken exchange of messages between horse and rider.
The Black Elk powerfully and metaphorically represents Reese’s emotional journey. It’s a test of both mental and physical toughness, reflecting her battle to move over her sadness and find her passion again.
The racing scenes are exhilarating and reflective, giving viewers a peek into Reese’s inner life as she faces her uncertainties and anxieties.
The Truth About Horses doesn’t back down from challenging subjects. It explores grief, dysfunctional families, and the emotional upheaval of youth. Nevertheless, the tale is ultimately optimistic. Cashman honours the value of interpersonal relationships, especially the particular affinity that exists between people and horses. It’s a tale about self-discovery, forgiveness, and the value of clinging to dreams in the face of difficulty.
The timing is perfect, with quick bursts of action during preparation and the race itself interspersed with quiet periods of introspection. Because of the lucid and vivid writing, readers are able to enter Reese’s world and go with her on her adventure.
Readers of all ages can benefit from this novel, “The Truth About Horses”, even though young adults are probably the book’s intended demographic.
The in-depth explanations and celebration of the relationship between humans and horses will delight equestrian enthusiasts. Reese’s story will comfort and inspire anybody who has ever wrestled with self-doubt or experienced loss.
A gripping debut novel, The Truth About Horses gallops through the emotional terrain with honesty and grace. You will be able to put this narrative down at the very end.
About the author Christy Cashman
Christy works as an author, producer, and actress. She is a prominent part of the Boston community, serving as co-chair of the Literary Lights Committee and a member of the Associates of the Boston Public Library Board of Directors.
She is the creator of YouthINK, a non-profit creative youth mentorship program that supports and elevates young artists in the US and Ireland. Christy wrote The Truth About Horses after two children’s books:
