The Black Stallion's Sulky Colt...I enjoyed seeing Bonfire, Jimmy Creech, George and Tom again, but I knew before opening the thing that if Henry and Alec showed up, there would be conflict. Just as I dreaded, there was. Apparently, Henry and Alec can do absolutely no wrong. I was okay with them being right about a few things, but why did they have to take over the whole show? And why did there have to be in-fighting? I would have enjoyed it a lot more if all of them had just worked together to help Bonfire and Tom get over their accident and face their fears. As it was, I just felt like Farley brought in Henry and Alec so he could prove (to himself or the audience, it isn't clear which) that they are the best no matter what the circumstances.
Old men. This book is mostly about old men. Also horses, of course, and racing. But the heart of it is the old men who know the way things are done, and old men in opposition to one another, and old men trying to help young men despite the young men being kinda jerks. I love Henry Dailey, the irascible old git. The moment when Si takes his teeth out is pure gold. And of course Bonfire is a dream colt. Alec's not perfect here, and he learns some things- though I'm not sure I've ever met a young man so humble and ready to be steered. As always, pulse-pounding race scenes.
Do You like book The Black Stallion's Sulky Colt (1978)?
