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Half Broke Horses

A True-Life Novel

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Half Broke Horses

Written by: Jeannette Walls
Narrated by: Jeannette Walls
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From the author of The Glass Castle and Hang the Moon—“Walls vividly depicts her astonishing, resilient grandmother with a lightness of touch that is plainspoken yet heartfelt” (Chicago Tribune). This unforgettable true-life novel tells the story of an indomitable woman whose remarkable life unfolded across the American West.

“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 fifteen, she left home to teach in a frontier town—riding five hundred miles on her pony, alone, to get to her job. She learned to drive a car and fly a plane. And, with her husband, Jim, she ran a vast ranch in Arizona. She raised two children, one who 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 readers everywhere. 20th Century Biographical Fiction Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Biography Natural Disaster
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What the critics say

"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
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I throughly enjoyed listening to this book it was was entertaining and hard to put down! I recommend reading this book after the Glass Castle!

Half Broke Horses

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Truly entertaining and laugh out loud funny! Enjoyed it more than the Glass Castle which says a lot.

loved it

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Jeannette managed to capture a time, and geography, and all the characters so vividly through the eyes of her grandma. What a wonderful, entertaining journey her story takes us on. Lily is perfectly rendered and the reader can see her fully formed and hear her authentic voice! Loved this book!

Wonderful transporting narration!

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This book feels very true to life and includes many unique adventures.
Jeannette does not try to pretty things up.
#audible1
The characters ring true and are very memorable.
I would recommend reading this (her second book) before The Glass Castle (her first book) because the timeline is then chronological.
I enjoyed the setting because I have traveled in the area.

Like when the author narrates😁

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Wish I’d read this first and then read The Glass Castle. It helps make so much sense of who Rosemary is as a person and why she made those seemingly bizarre life choices. Loved Lily and her tough attitude to life. An inspiration for sure.

Absolutely loved this story

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