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Hawthorne Horses #1
Eleanor McGraw, a Pony Named Mouse and a Boy Called Fire
Eleanor McGraw, vertically challenged, empathic and sharp daughter of folk musician Isabel Payne and a world famous rock guitarist, wakes up a few days shy of her 14th birthday to a life more ordinary. After years of vagabonding around the world alongside a series of chaotic father figures, they are settling down with quiet Kjell, a Swedish dentist, on the outskirts of a small town on the South coast of England. While exploring her new home’s surroundings, Eleanor discovers a solitary pony in a deserted plot of grazing land. As she befriends the animal and meets scar-faced, foul-mouthed, 16-year-old Pike she is slowly drawn into another family’s tragic past and finds herself at the centre of a decision between life or death, past or future, beginning or end.
Eleanor McGraw is a contemporary book about people, ponies, patchwork families, friendship and love, suitable for anyone - horse rider or not - between 14 and 104.
Contains some strong language.
Eleanor McGraw is a contemporary book about people, ponies, patchwork families, friendship and love, suitable for anyone - horse rider or not - between 14 and 104.
Contains some strong language.
220 pages, Paperback
First published June 20, 2013
6 people are currently reading
795 people want to read
About the author
Katharina Marcus
6 books100 followersKatharina Marcus is a British Brightonian author of German-Jewish descent with a Dutch passport and a nationless heart.
She lives in perpetual chaos on a ball in space with two to three children, four ponies and a couple of cats.
A life-long horse woman with a serious penchant for bareback riding, she used to top up her meagre earnings from writing by moonlighting as a freelance riding instructor and horse trainer when not practising as a psychotherapist or serving food. Presently she is employed as the resident woodland sprite in a school for exceptionally entertaining and diverse young people.
As the daughter of Antiquarian book dealers she reads - and always has read - loads but is so private about her personal book collection, she keeps it in her bedroom.
Nearly a decade after publishing her first novel she has finally got a website together.
She also occasionally blogs on GR but doesn't really do any other social media - or so she claims.
By and large she prefers her interaction to be face to face or in personal messages but is, of course, immensely grateful for every like, share, feedback and review left.
She lives in perpetual chaos on a ball in space with two to three children, four ponies and a couple of cats.
A life-long horse woman with a serious penchant for bareback riding, she used to top up her meagre earnings from writing by moonlighting as a freelance riding instructor and horse trainer when not practising as a psychotherapist or serving food. Presently she is employed as the resident woodland sprite in a school for exceptionally entertaining and diverse young people.
As the daughter of Antiquarian book dealers she reads - and always has read - loads but is so private about her personal book collection, she keeps it in her bedroom.
Nearly a decade after publishing her first novel she has finally got a website together.
She also occasionally blogs on GR but doesn't really do any other social media - or so she claims.
By and large she prefers her interaction to be face to face or in personal messages but is, of course, immensely grateful for every like, share, feedback and review left.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
October 21, 2014
A YA read, possibly for older teens who like/love horses. The story revolves tightly around them. There is a bit of rough language, but it is in character & realistic. The teens sleep together without sex, save for some kissing. That was the least realistic part of the book as far as my 16 year old self would have been concerned. (You're a better man than I, Pike!)
I was quite taken with the story on several levels. As I found out by reading her free short story, Boys Don't Ride, Marcus knows all about loving horses as well as horsemanship - dealing with them on every level. That was great.
There was the plot, which was slowly revealed as was the information surrounding it. There were no big info dumps; just a horse crazy girl, a boy with a couple of big problems, & a wonderful pony who drew them together. The way the information was teased out drew me on masterfully. (Warning: Don't start this without giving yourself plenty of time. You may get sucked in & stay up far too late.)
The characters were excellent. I don't know much about musicians, but I know horse people & her portrayal of them was spot on. One quote just tickled me,
"...All people go a bit funny in old age but horse people are the worst. Cut above even mad cat ladies...."
Perfectly put!
Best yet, she acknowledges the difference in horse people. A rich man owns a stable, but
You see, he doesn’t really do horses, our Mr Greaves. Don’t get me wrong, he’s very athletic and a good enough rider but he’s not a horse person.
Yes, that's right. It's not something you can learn, fake, or buy. It's an innate skill. There's a spark of empathy that only true horse people have. Horses & true horse people usually know the difference immediately, always in a short amount of time.
Great read, very happy to have finally gotten around to reading it.
I was quite taken with the story on several levels. As I found out by reading her free short story, Boys Don't Ride, Marcus knows all about loving horses as well as horsemanship - dealing with them on every level. That was great.
There was the plot, which was slowly revealed as was the information surrounding it. There were no big info dumps; just a horse crazy girl, a boy with a couple of big problems, & a wonderful pony who drew them together. The way the information was teased out drew me on masterfully. (Warning: Don't start this without giving yourself plenty of time. You may get sucked in & stay up far too late.)
The characters were excellent. I don't know much about musicians, but I know horse people & her portrayal of them was spot on. One quote just tickled me,
"...All people go a bit funny in old age but horse people are the worst. Cut above even mad cat ladies...."
Perfectly put!
Best yet, she acknowledges the difference in horse people. A rich man owns a stable, but
You see, he doesn’t really do horses, our Mr Greaves. Don’t get me wrong, he’s very athletic and a good enough rider but he’s not a horse person.
Yes, that's right. It's not something you can learn, fake, or buy. It's an innate skill. There's a spark of empathy that only true horse people have. Horses & true horse people usually know the difference immediately, always in a short amount of time.
Great read, very happy to have finally gotten around to reading it.
July 28, 2013
Let me start by saying that I read ebooks on my smart phone. It's not a particularly cosy experience: about 30 words per page, endless bloody swiping and eye strain. So when I say that I couldn't put this ebook down, that I read the whole thing in one day, pulling my phone out any time I had a spare minute, that means the story is more than good. It's up at the top amazing.
I was utterly entranced by this story from the first page. You could describe it as a story of awakening, of first love, a pony story, a coming of age story, a story of mixed and broken families. It's all of these and so much more.
The titular Eleanor McGraw, 14 years old, is a thoroughly likeable heroine. Her (very liberal) mother has just married a Swedish dentist, and Eleanor feels out of place in the the world. Then she meets a roan pony and a 16 year old boy. The story is so much more than this. There's wonderful characters, so much love and understanding and sadness. There's a plot involving a developing romance, an accident that changed a life, and impending loss of everything dear. There's depth in Eleanor's relationship with her mother and step father, and a whole raft of minor characters who spring off the pages. There's adult themes that aren't glossed over (particularly sexuality) which are approached in an open manner, with the adults allowing the teenagers full rein to make their own choices.
Through it all is Blueberry Mouse, the pony that the book hinges around. Eleanor's relationship with the pony is beautifully described, and somewhat surreal in many aspects. The writing throughout is glorious, with an easy style, a subtle touch and a commanding use of language.
Don't be put off because this is a "pony book" or a "romance" or a "young adult" book. Yes, it's all of these, but put together it's so, so much more.
One of the best books I've read this year.
I was utterly entranced by this story from the first page. You could describe it as a story of awakening, of first love, a pony story, a coming of age story, a story of mixed and broken families. It's all of these and so much more.
The titular Eleanor McGraw, 14 years old, is a thoroughly likeable heroine. Her (very liberal) mother has just married a Swedish dentist, and Eleanor feels out of place in the the world. Then she meets a roan pony and a 16 year old boy. The story is so much more than this. There's wonderful characters, so much love and understanding and sadness. There's a plot involving a developing romance, an accident that changed a life, and impending loss of everything dear. There's depth in Eleanor's relationship with her mother and step father, and a whole raft of minor characters who spring off the pages. There's adult themes that aren't glossed over (particularly sexuality) which are approached in an open manner, with the adults allowing the teenagers full rein to make their own choices.
Through it all is Blueberry Mouse, the pony that the book hinges around. Eleanor's relationship with the pony is beautifully described, and somewhat surreal in many aspects. The writing throughout is glorious, with an easy style, a subtle touch and a commanding use of language.
Don't be put off because this is a "pony book" or a "romance" or a "young adult" book. Yes, it's all of these, but put together it's so, so much more.
One of the best books I've read this year.
October 6, 2013
What a truly wonderful story. I was always a sucker for a horse story when I was officially in the Young Reader category and it looks like I still am. But it was so much more than just a horse story, it is life, problem solving, taking responsibility, respect for others and self-respect. It is just a beautiful read. If my reading time had been my own I would have read straight through in one sitting, but it took just a bit longer with having to grab moments when I could. Loved it and am adding a + to the 5 stars.
August 2, 2017
Eleanor McGraw, a Pony Named Mouse and a boy Called Fire by
Katharina Marcus
. The book felt like familiar family history including members of the equine elements of family. When you have the acreage where horses and youths can be out of sight, some unique drama can unfold.
I enjoyed the characters and the issues to be respectfully solved.
And, yes, I love horse books.
I enjoyed the characters and the issues to be respectfully solved.
And, yes, I love horse books.
January 15, 2014
Wow...what an amazing little book. Loved every minute of it-GREAT characters, storytelling and of course it had horses...AND takes place in England. The perfect storm! I was a little hesitant going in since the main protag/heroine, Eleanor, is only 14 years old, but it doesn't matter. A perfect book for young and old alike. Eleanor is going down as one of my favorite little heroines of all time. So glad this was recommended to me because I'm sure I never would have stumbled onto it otherwise-thanks Anna!
June 12, 2018
WOW!! Being a very picky reader right now, flitting between genres in frustration and being far too old to have been swept away by a YA..or so I thought.
First physical book i have actually finished in forever. Took me a few hours!
In my top ten of the year for sure.
I loved the writing, it is realistic, beautiful, and the situation relatable.
Eleanor is a character i'd read any book for, and hope there more to come!
She is sarcy, smart, independant and strong willed-what a breath of fresh air!
Her family are sweet despite their flaws, and her mum I found prone to tantrums, and El dealt with it so well considering.
I loved her. Pike is adorable. Not in the "moody and distant and then possibly abusive but she LOVES him" that comes with so many new adult books and YA these days (twilight!)He is actually a lovely guy who just happens to feel attacked from life and his love for Elaenor you don't doubt.
The chemistry is SOOOOOO well written it flew off the page. I HATE sex/ual scenes in that i am cringing all the time, but this was sooo beautifully done and I was soo with El's emotions as if it were me age 14. Nothing graphic in here at all btw-it's well suitable for ages 11 plus.
This was no insta-love. It is the first ahhh moment i've read about in books in -well i can't remember.
There is a spiritual, ethereal and other-worldly quality to it all that was really unexpected and so utterly believable.
If you have ever loved horses, or have had that feeling where you discover something that is just for you alone, you will love this book.
I am soo glad the ending was as it was...
I'm ordering the next book and am sending out a plea to the author to write more of Eleanor and Pike, I am desperate toknow how they fare in the future and hope they stay in love!
Five stars easily!
Such a talented author.
First physical book i have actually finished in forever. Took me a few hours!
In my top ten of the year for sure.
I loved the writing, it is realistic, beautiful, and the situation relatable.
Eleanor is a character i'd read any book for, and hope there more to come!
She is sarcy, smart, independant and strong willed-what a breath of fresh air!
Her family are sweet despite their flaws, and her mum I found prone to tantrums, and El dealt with it so well considering.
I loved her. Pike is adorable. Not in the "moody and distant and then possibly abusive but she LOVES him" that comes with so many new adult books and YA these days (twilight!)He is actually a lovely guy who just happens to feel attacked from life and his love for Elaenor you don't doubt.
The chemistry is SOOOOOO well written it flew off the page. I HATE sex/ual scenes in that i am cringing all the time, but this was sooo beautifully done and I was soo with El's emotions as if it were me age 14. Nothing graphic in here at all btw-it's well suitable for ages 11 plus.
This was no insta-love. It is the first ahhh moment i've read about in books in -well i can't remember.
There is a spiritual, ethereal and other-worldly quality to it all that was really unexpected and so utterly believable.
If you have ever loved horses, or have had that feeling where you discover something that is just for you alone, you will love this book.
I am soo glad the ending was as it was...
I'm ordering the next book and am sending out a plea to the author to write more of Eleanor and Pike, I am desperate toknow how they fare in the future and hope they stay in love!
Five stars easily!
Such a talented author.
November 9, 2013
oh wow i'm really quite blown away by the writing in the book, i can't quite describe it. it's so unique and different. i love the complexity and depth of the characters and the relationships (not just between the people but with the horses as well) and yet its written with such subtlety and poetry. i was very intrigued by the way the relationship between eleanor and pike was handled (given their age difference).
November 17, 2013
This is a wonderful, unique and dreamy book about horses, growing up and family.
To be honest I know if was in my mid-teens I would have enjoyed it a bit more...however in my mid-twenties I was still entranced. Eleanor is a sharp and amusing heroine and her life before the country side was fascinating. However I especially loved reading about her acclimatising to a quieter life in the sticks.
Her relationship with Pike was very well done and I loved him as a character, thoughtful and insightful. His attitude to horses and their relationships with humans, aw well as what riding is really about was lovely:
"...when the pony you're with is happy to be alive and alive with you."
Eleanor's love for the pony Mouse was touching and Pike was right in saying that a horse is more than just an animal...he was incredibly empathetic towards the pony's emotions and that was very well construed by Marcus.
It was a dreamy, whimsical book with just the right amount of grit; I was left feeling uplifted and a bit nostalgic!
Thanks to Katherina Marcus for giving me this book in return for an honest review.
To be honest I know if was in my mid-teens I would have enjoyed it a bit more...however in my mid-twenties I was still entranced. Eleanor is a sharp and amusing heroine and her life before the country side was fascinating. However I especially loved reading about her acclimatising to a quieter life in the sticks.
Her relationship with Pike was very well done and I loved him as a character, thoughtful and insightful. His attitude to horses and their relationships with humans, aw well as what riding is really about was lovely:
"...when the pony you're with is happy to be alive and alive with you."
Eleanor's love for the pony Mouse was touching and Pike was right in saying that a horse is more than just an animal...he was incredibly empathetic towards the pony's emotions and that was very well construed by Marcus.
It was a dreamy, whimsical book with just the right amount of grit; I was left feeling uplifted and a bit nostalgic!
Thanks to Katherina Marcus for giving me this book in return for an honest review.
April 12, 2017
Really enjoyed this book and have finished it within one sitting. The writing from this author was astonishing, she captures you into the book by the end of the first chapter, by this time you are totally engrossed. I loved all of the individual characters and think that everyone of them had their importance within the book and within the story itself. I like how the author doesn't just focus majorly on the Blue the pony but also into the intimate relationship that starts out towards Pike and Eleanor.
Personally I would have liked to have seen more detail into the relationship and wished the book had been longer so that we could see more into what the future would bring.
All in all I will give it a 5 stars for the writing, storyline and the characters. Recommend this book not just for horsey people but for everyone.!
Personally I would have liked to have seen more detail into the relationship and wished the book had been longer so that we could see more into what the future would bring.
All in all I will give it a 5 stars for the writing, storyline and the characters. Recommend this book not just for horsey people but for everyone.!
September 11, 2014
4 stars
I love to read books in which the author's passion seeps through. In this case, horses (not so much about rock’n’roll). The book has an intriguing, albeit long, title. It was an easy read, and simply written, the characters well drawn out with a slice of romance. The dialogue feels natural, little tension and conflict keeps the interest.
WHAT I LIKED –
• Growing up – The book is in Eleanor’s POV. She’s 14, and due to her size, is mistaken for someone much younger. But she’s strong and has a sharp tongue. She’s quite mature for her young age. She learns to appreciate her own family when she gets close to Pike and his parents’ treatment of him (wow, those parents out to save the world and neglecting their own family)
• Events – The plot is well layered. Eleanor learns to LIE, has to deal with her mother, a new stepbrother and, as a result, the lack of attention from the mentioned angry mother, an angry Pike, and the imminent loss of the pony Blue.
• Romance –Pike is 17 after all, but the age difference with 14-year-old Eleanor is handled well. Their trust grows gradually, and the romance is heart-breakingly sweet. They rely on each other, learn each other’s dislikes. She rescues Pike (from his suicide thoughts) and he helps her too in growing more confident. It’s not one of this shallow summer romance, and goes much deeper.
“We live, we die. But we need to live life first. With all the pleasure and pain it offers. Otherwise we can’t die.”
• Animal Lover – Love the part when Pike explains about the treatment of horses.
“And for what? For ribbons you can buy in any haberdashery store – and ego. It’s a vanity industry. Just like the rest of life.”
This book is about the real love of horses –not using them for travel, as it was the case in the last century, or using them in racing and show jumping. It is about the connection between a person and an animal, the way dog-lovers (like me!) feel about dogs. Animals have feelings too and, throughout the book, I felt this connection, this empathy.
WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER IN MY OPINION-
• Slow beginning and how Eleanor ‘stumbles’ on the barn was almost ‘paranormal’, the way she’s pulled inexplicably to visit the stable. “Pulled along by an invisible thread”, “could feel the overwhelming loneliness seeping through”, really? Not sure how that worked.
• Lots of ‘knew’, ‘feel’. Eleanor knew Pike was about to commit suicide. How could she read this on someone’s face? After reading “thirteen Reasons Why’, a person on the brink is the hardest to read. I don’t think the parts where Eleanor ‘feels’ things were handled well. It was a shame, because she was a great character to read about.
• The ending – the crisis is at its climax, both Pike and Eleanor are about to lose the dearest Blue, I had expected them to feel acceptance. They have found each other and will keep each other company and will deal with the loss of pony together. Loss and dealing with it, that's part of growing up, which is what the book is about, right? But no, who comes to save the day and the stables? The parents. A deus ex machina ending. A shame too. Because the book didn’t need a happy ending. The author has shown many times during the book how Pike and Eleanor close relationship is their strength. They rely on each other, depend on each other, and by doing so, Blue who brought them together, was not needed anymore.
• It’s okay to have some coincidence at the beginning of a book, but the meeting with Sarah and Charly and the aunt, I kept having the feeling, oh what a small world….Maybe it is, it’s England after all.
Thank you, K. Marcus, for offering me the opportunity to share my thoughts about this wonderful little book. Any chance for a sequel?
I love to read books in which the author's passion seeps through. In this case, horses (not so much about rock’n’roll). The book has an intriguing, albeit long, title. It was an easy read, and simply written, the characters well drawn out with a slice of romance. The dialogue feels natural, little tension and conflict keeps the interest.
WHAT I LIKED –
• Growing up – The book is in Eleanor’s POV. She’s 14, and due to her size, is mistaken for someone much younger. But she’s strong and has a sharp tongue. She’s quite mature for her young age. She learns to appreciate her own family when she gets close to Pike and his parents’ treatment of him (wow, those parents out to save the world and neglecting their own family)
• Events – The plot is well layered. Eleanor learns to LIE, has to deal with her mother, a new stepbrother and, as a result, the lack of attention from the mentioned angry mother, an angry Pike, and the imminent loss of the pony Blue.
• Romance –Pike is 17 after all, but the age difference with 14-year-old Eleanor is handled well. Their trust grows gradually, and the romance is heart-breakingly sweet. They rely on each other, learn each other’s dislikes. She rescues Pike (from his suicide thoughts) and he helps her too in growing more confident. It’s not one of this shallow summer romance, and goes much deeper.
“We live, we die. But we need to live life first. With all the pleasure and pain it offers. Otherwise we can’t die.”
• Animal Lover – Love the part when Pike explains about the treatment of horses.
“And for what? For ribbons you can buy in any haberdashery store – and ego. It’s a vanity industry. Just like the rest of life.”
This book is about the real love of horses –not using them for travel, as it was the case in the last century, or using them in racing and show jumping. It is about the connection between a person and an animal, the way dog-lovers (like me!) feel about dogs. Animals have feelings too and, throughout the book, I felt this connection, this empathy.
WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER IN MY OPINION-
• Slow beginning and how Eleanor ‘stumbles’ on the barn was almost ‘paranormal’, the way she’s pulled inexplicably to visit the stable. “Pulled along by an invisible thread”, “could feel the overwhelming loneliness seeping through”, really? Not sure how that worked.
• Lots of ‘knew’, ‘feel’. Eleanor knew Pike was about to commit suicide. How could she read this on someone’s face? After reading “thirteen Reasons Why’, a person on the brink is the hardest to read. I don’t think the parts where Eleanor ‘feels’ things were handled well. It was a shame, because she was a great character to read about.
• The ending – the crisis is at its climax, both Pike and Eleanor are about to lose the dearest Blue, I had expected them to feel acceptance. They have found each other and will keep each other company and will deal with the loss of pony together. Loss and dealing with it, that's part of growing up, which is what the book is about, right? But no, who comes to save the day and the stables? The parents. A deus ex machina ending. A shame too. Because the book didn’t need a happy ending. The author has shown many times during the book how Pike and Eleanor close relationship is their strength. They rely on each other, depend on each other, and by doing so, Blue who brought them together, was not needed anymore.
• It’s okay to have some coincidence at the beginning of a book, but the meeting with Sarah and Charly and the aunt, I kept having the feeling, oh what a small world….Maybe it is, it’s England after all.
Thank you, K. Marcus, for offering me the opportunity to share my thoughts about this wonderful little book. Any chance for a sequel?
January 10, 2016
Eleanor McGraw, a Pony Named Mouse, and a Boy Called Fire, by Katharina Marcus, is a young adult novel set somewhere near a seashore in England (I must have missed the geographic specifics, though I did search a bit for them). The novel recounts the burgeoning romance between fourteen-year-old Elizabeth and sixteen-year-old Peter. Their friendship is triggered by their involvement with the elderly pony Blueberry Mouse, once a mainstay of Peter's riding career and now a retiree temporarily banished to a once-thriving farm Peter's family is about to lose to a rapacious creditor.
As the day approaches when the land will be turned over for the family's debts, Blue draws Peter and Eleanor closer and closer: Eleanor learns to ride and Peter learns why he can't give in to his spiraling depression. The two young people are seconded by Peter's unsupportive parents and his genial grandfather and by Eleanor's mother, a successful musician, and her new husband, a wise and patient Swedish dentist. In the background are Eleanor's rock-star absentee father, Peter's aunt Karen who got her family into its predicament by falling for the wrong man, and an upcoming Scottish folk singer, Ebony.
I learned from this book that it's not necessary to have a loudly ticking bomb to carry a story. I knew that, of course, having read enough lit-er-a-ture in my career as an English professor. But this story meanders and lingers in ways that might easily have turned me away in a less well-rendered novel. In fact, in its quiet tracking of Eleanor's mind as she fits the people around her, new players and old, into a pattern she can make sense of, this story feels authentic—like what it would really be like to be a precociously self-aware fourteen-year-old living out these weeks.
The story almost feels autobiographical, and may be: The meanderings seem almost too idiosyncratic to be invented. For example, Eleanor is the daughter of a genius rock guitar player and her mother is the author and conduit of a famous song—and why is her new stepfather a dentist? Peter and his kin feel more fictional, like a dream a girl like Eleanor, distanced from her father and his exhilarating life and trying to become her own person among all these changes, might search out. I actually believed in Eleanor more than in Peter, and more in her acceptance of her mother's pregnancy and the resulting new brother than in her investment in Peter. I know that's not how a story of young romance is supposed to work, but the pony almost feels like a contrivance. Perhaps I don't mean that in a negative way: the pony is like a genie inviting Eleanor, "the sprite," across the magical barrier to adulthood, and in this role Blue pleases me.
I don't romanticize my horses in quite the way this book (and some of the other books I've read in my project of reading horse stories) does. But I'll engage with that view of the horse/human relationship to the extent that it allows me to enjoy other people's relationships with horses as long as these relationships take me to new places in my own sense of my place among living things, as this gentle story does.
As the day approaches when the land will be turned over for the family's debts, Blue draws Peter and Eleanor closer and closer: Eleanor learns to ride and Peter learns why he can't give in to his spiraling depression. The two young people are seconded by Peter's unsupportive parents and his genial grandfather and by Eleanor's mother, a successful musician, and her new husband, a wise and patient Swedish dentist. In the background are Eleanor's rock-star absentee father, Peter's aunt Karen who got her family into its predicament by falling for the wrong man, and an upcoming Scottish folk singer, Ebony.
I learned from this book that it's not necessary to have a loudly ticking bomb to carry a story. I knew that, of course, having read enough lit-er-a-ture in my career as an English professor. But this story meanders and lingers in ways that might easily have turned me away in a less well-rendered novel. In fact, in its quiet tracking of Eleanor's mind as she fits the people around her, new players and old, into a pattern she can make sense of, this story feels authentic—like what it would really be like to be a precociously self-aware fourteen-year-old living out these weeks.
The story almost feels autobiographical, and may be: The meanderings seem almost too idiosyncratic to be invented. For example, Eleanor is the daughter of a genius rock guitar player and her mother is the author and conduit of a famous song—and why is her new stepfather a dentist? Peter and his kin feel more fictional, like a dream a girl like Eleanor, distanced from her father and his exhilarating life and trying to become her own person among all these changes, might search out. I actually believed in Eleanor more than in Peter, and more in her acceptance of her mother's pregnancy and the resulting new brother than in her investment in Peter. I know that's not how a story of young romance is supposed to work, but the pony almost feels like a contrivance. Perhaps I don't mean that in a negative way: the pony is like a genie inviting Eleanor, "the sprite," across the magical barrier to adulthood, and in this role Blue pleases me.
I don't romanticize my horses in quite the way this book (and some of the other books I've read in my project of reading horse stories) does. But I'll engage with that view of the horse/human relationship to the extent that it allows me to enjoy other people's relationships with horses as long as these relationships take me to new places in my own sense of my place among living things, as this gentle story does.
January 7, 2020
Eleanor has to deal with her family expanding, a first love who’s not much of a people person, and her desperate need for freedom- all starting the day she’s inexplicably drawn to a meadow where she meets a horse called Mouse/Blue.
A bit confusing but intriguing, the book’s biggest problem is with its tendency to tell instead of show.
I couldn’t feel the chemistry between the characters, but I was sure as hell told it was there.
Overall I didn’t care about anyone other than maybe Eleanor, and all the characters read pretty flat.
An overall ok read.
Received through the Goodreads giveaway.
A bit confusing but intriguing, the book’s biggest problem is with its tendency to tell instead of show.
I couldn’t feel the chemistry between the characters, but I was sure as hell told it was there.
Overall I didn’t care about anyone other than maybe Eleanor, and all the characters read pretty flat.
An overall ok read.
Received through the Goodreads giveaway.
November 30, 2018
Sensational! 6/5 stars! 11/10. Loved every minute reading this book. Literally gets better every time you read this book. I couldn't think of many books that top this one.
Love Pike and Eleanor's relationship, and all the characters. Definitely one of those books that you get lost in and feel like you are in their world!
Couldn't recommend this book more!
Love Pike and Eleanor's relationship, and all the characters. Definitely one of those books that you get lost in and feel like you are in their world!
Couldn't recommend this book more!
October 27, 2015
Tolles Buch.
August 14, 2017
A little gem.
The concise writing flows smoothly, an intriguing plot and well drawn-out characters. Eleanor faces several problems at fourteen, forced to deal with her mother, a new stepbrother and a lot of angst. She has got quite the wit and the conflict kept my interest up.
The horses are in the background and they bring the characters together. What is foremost to me is the heartbreaking sweet romance between Pike and Eleanor. How they learn to trust, rely on and help each other. Pike helps to grow more confident and Elarnor helps him away from his dark thoughts (his parents left him alone after all and are out saving the world –how ironical!)
The Boy with the Amber Eyes is on my TR list. I hope it is a sequel!
The concise writing flows smoothly, an intriguing plot and well drawn-out characters. Eleanor faces several problems at fourteen, forced to deal with her mother, a new stepbrother and a lot of angst. She has got quite the wit and the conflict kept my interest up.
The horses are in the background and they bring the characters together. What is foremost to me is the heartbreaking sweet romance between Pike and Eleanor. How they learn to trust, rely on and help each other. Pike helps to grow more confident and Elarnor helps him away from his dark thoughts (his parents left him alone after all and are out saving the world –how ironical!)
The Boy with the Amber Eyes is on my TR list. I hope it is a sequel!
December 29, 2021
Oh wow. This book wasn't what I expected at all. Starting off with slightly stilted language (unusual), moving on to the discovery of a lonely friendly horse in the neighbourhood (back on track for a standard horse story), it then deviates quite wildly. Issues of trauma, thoughts of suicide, and quite a direct approach to teenager problems with a boy. None of what happens in this book for any length of time is just cheap page filling, and there are some lovely details on the life with horses in there that don't usually get mentioned. It was a really confusing read to start with, but I enjoyed it a lot the more I kept reading.
August 25, 2018
This is now the third time reading this book and i cannot express how much I love it. Thank you so much for writing it and i am about to start reading 'The boy with the amber eyes' for the second time.
July 19, 2024
Review to follow!
October 14, 2014
"Eleanor McGraw, a pony named Mouse and a boy called Fire", by Katharina Marcus, arrived in my mailbox a few months ago, thanks to Goodreads First Reads. It had to stay on my bookshelf for a while, until I found time to read it with the necessary attention, considering that it's not written in my mother language. But when I finally started it, it was like a stone rolling down the slope of a mountain, and, after the first few chapters, I was opening it in every spare moment, to discover how it was going to continue.
I think the title is capturing, and also fitting, because it says nearly everything you need to know about the story. The main character is Eleanor McGraw, a fourteen years old girl, witty and sensitive. She is the daughter of Isabel, a well known violinist and folk music interpreter, and Jerry McGraw, a worldwide famous rock star, who are not together anymore.
Eleanor's childhood had been far from a ordinary one: she'd had different stepfathers, all more or less like her own, and she'd lived in different places, following her mother and her stepfathers around the world. Isabel is the only fixed point in Eleanor's life, and the little girl and the woman are bond by a strong and deep relationship, based on mutual respect, relative protection and honesty.
Eleanor's last home is in the South coast of England, with Isabel and Kjell, her new stepfather, who is somehow different from all the previous ones. In fact he's not a noisy and narcissist rock star, but what appears to be a quiet and ordinary dentist.
Exploring the nearby country Eleanor discovers, in a paddock surrounded by a fence, a little gray female pony, which immediately shows its friendly attitude to the girl. The thought of the pony soon becomes a sweet record in the girl's mind, so she begin to visit the little mare daily, becoming more and more involved as the time passed.
And here we are to the third title character, the boy. Peter Pike is a sixteen years old boy, who attends Elanor's school, and takes care of the pony, which is the last of his family horses. He his a tall boy, with impressively deep and changing eyes and messy hair. From here on, I don't want to reveal to much to any potential reader.
"Eleanor McGraw, a pony named Mouse and a boy called Fire" is definitely a young adults novel, but, like all the well-written young adults books, we can say it is more a novel, whose main characters happen to be young adults. One of the main strength of the books lies in the ability with which the author describes the relationships between the characters, and how complex, changing and full of different feelings at the same time they can be. The deep feeling between Isabel and Eleanor, the sweet story between Eleanor and Peter, but also the links between secondary character are painted with the variety of shades that defines real life relationships.
Mouse, the little gray mare, is not an exception: even if she can't talk, her behavior is often clearer than human words can ever be. The relationship she has with the different character is described in detail too, allowing her to outstand like a leading character in the book. These descriptions of horses way to behave, and in a certain way to think, make it undoubtedly clear that Katharina Marcus knows deeply what she's talking about.
I also liked the book because Eleanor and Peter are both young adults who had, for different reasons, an out-of-the-ordinary childhood, who always have felt and feel different from other people of their age, and because of this, misunderstood and slightly strange. This feeling prevent them from mixing themselves with other young people. I've always loved this kind of characters, who are, for one reason or another, left apart, because they are conscious of their difference, they initially suffer because of it, and they have to make, throughout the pages, an inner journey to accept themselves and be happy of what they are. Eleanor and Pike partially do this together, and their mutual identification in each other helps them doing this. So they are true, changing and developing characters, which makes difficult to part from them at the end of the book.
At last, I think it is admirable how the adult characters of the book behave, because they relate with Eleanor and Peter with great respect of their age and their ideas, supporting them and giving them the freedom to make their own choices, advising them for good but not forcing them, and are also very open minded about sex.
There is so much more in this book to discover I advice it strongly, even if I think it lost the fifth star because of the too sweetened ending of the story, which maybe satisfies more young adults than grown-ups.
I think the title is capturing, and also fitting, because it says nearly everything you need to know about the story. The main character is Eleanor McGraw, a fourteen years old girl, witty and sensitive. She is the daughter of Isabel, a well known violinist and folk music interpreter, and Jerry McGraw, a worldwide famous rock star, who are not together anymore.
Eleanor's childhood had been far from a ordinary one: she'd had different stepfathers, all more or less like her own, and she'd lived in different places, following her mother and her stepfathers around the world. Isabel is the only fixed point in Eleanor's life, and the little girl and the woman are bond by a strong and deep relationship, based on mutual respect, relative protection and honesty.
Eleanor's last home is in the South coast of England, with Isabel and Kjell, her new stepfather, who is somehow different from all the previous ones. In fact he's not a noisy and narcissist rock star, but what appears to be a quiet and ordinary dentist.
Exploring the nearby country Eleanor discovers, in a paddock surrounded by a fence, a little gray female pony, which immediately shows its friendly attitude to the girl. The thought of the pony soon becomes a sweet record in the girl's mind, so she begin to visit the little mare daily, becoming more and more involved as the time passed.
And here we are to the third title character, the boy. Peter Pike is a sixteen years old boy, who attends Elanor's school, and takes care of the pony, which is the last of his family horses. He his a tall boy, with impressively deep and changing eyes and messy hair. From here on, I don't want to reveal to much to any potential reader.
"Eleanor McGraw, a pony named Mouse and a boy called Fire" is definitely a young adults novel, but, like all the well-written young adults books, we can say it is more a novel, whose main characters happen to be young adults. One of the main strength of the books lies in the ability with which the author describes the relationships between the characters, and how complex, changing and full of different feelings at the same time they can be. The deep feeling between Isabel and Eleanor, the sweet story between Eleanor and Peter, but also the links between secondary character are painted with the variety of shades that defines real life relationships.
Mouse, the little gray mare, is not an exception: even if she can't talk, her behavior is often clearer than human words can ever be. The relationship she has with the different character is described in detail too, allowing her to outstand like a leading character in the book. These descriptions of horses way to behave, and in a certain way to think, make it undoubtedly clear that Katharina Marcus knows deeply what she's talking about.
I also liked the book because Eleanor and Peter are both young adults who had, for different reasons, an out-of-the-ordinary childhood, who always have felt and feel different from other people of their age, and because of this, misunderstood and slightly strange. This feeling prevent them from mixing themselves with other young people. I've always loved this kind of characters, who are, for one reason or another, left apart, because they are conscious of their difference, they initially suffer because of it, and they have to make, throughout the pages, an inner journey to accept themselves and be happy of what they are. Eleanor and Pike partially do this together, and their mutual identification in each other helps them doing this. So they are true, changing and developing characters, which makes difficult to part from them at the end of the book.
At last, I think it is admirable how the adult characters of the book behave, because they relate with Eleanor and Peter with great respect of their age and their ideas, supporting them and giving them the freedom to make their own choices, advising them for good but not forcing them, and are also very open minded about sex.
There is so much more in this book to discover I advice it strongly, even if I think it lost the fifth star because of the too sweetened ending of the story, which maybe satisfies more young adults than grown-ups.
March 30, 2015
I read this book because a friend recommended it. I have to admit i was a little skeptical because it was about a 13 year old girl so i thought it was more of a preteen book. Definitely not, when i got through the first few chapters i started to get into and enjoy it. the characters had depth which is nice and the author new what she was talking about with horses. i did struggle a little with the terms since I'm Canadian but luckily the amazon app has a dictionary. There are a lot of different character which is nice to see. Eleanor is a very smart girl and Pike is troubled enough to add drama to the story.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves horse stories with a little drama and a tiny sprinkle of young adult romance.
The only thing i didn't like was the slow beginning.
I would read future books by the author.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves horse stories with a little drama and a tiny sprinkle of young adult romance.
The only thing i didn't like was the slow beginning.
I would read future books by the author.
May 2, 2014
This is a love story, between a girl and a horse and a girl and a boy. Eleanor McGraw is not your average confused teenager, but all the more likeable because of it. She's a feisty individual who knows her own mind. Her first love is the horse, Mouse, but she is intrigued by Pike(the boy called Fire), who is sullen and bad tempered and reluctantly teaching her to ride. He constantly pushes her away, shunning contact, but she's determined and it soon becomes a clash of wills. At times I held my breath, because Eleanor is only 14 and Pike is 17. She's too young for him.
This is story written by someone who understands horses and understands the trauma of being a teenager in love. I found it compelling reading. Would they...wouldn't they? I had to read on to find out.
This is story written by someone who understands horses and understands the trauma of being a teenager in love. I found it compelling reading. Would they...wouldn't they? I had to read on to find out.
August 17, 2014
A shout out to first reads and the author for the opportunity to read this book. I highly recommend this book for an horse people. I ride horses and Eleanor's feeling with Mouse the pony were dead on. From time to time my eyes glazed over a bit in the beginning but that quickly went away. *SPOILERS*
Now for the spoiler part of my review. I don't really think this book warrants the Parental Advisory on the cover. Yes the book is open about sex but in a way that makes this book more realistic. I like that Peter and Eleanors relationship doesn't require sex. Isabel was VERY lenient in my opinion for letting them sleep together all the same.
Now for the spoiler part of my review. I don't really think this book warrants the Parental Advisory on the cover. Yes the book is open about sex but in a way that makes this book more realistic. I like that Peter and Eleanors relationship doesn't require sex. Isabel was VERY lenient in my opinion for letting them sleep together all the same.
July 19, 2015
I probably would have never come across or read this book if I hadn't won it for absolutely free through Goodreads First Reads. (See what I did there?) I mean I'm not even sure why I entered to win this, but hey free book, why not?
I'll tell you why not.
First of all, this is one of those books that is about something that every ten- and eleven-year-old girl loves, but it's content is suited for a more mature audience. So, I had to read this book a out horses that taught me nothing about life, except that British people spell stuff weird.
So go ahead, read this, or don't. What you do with your life doesn't affect me in any way....
I'll tell you why not.
First of all, this is one of those books that is about something that every ten- and eleven-year-old girl loves, but it's content is suited for a more mature audience. So, I had to read this book a out horses that taught me nothing about life, except that British people spell stuff weird.
So go ahead, read this, or don't. What you do with your life doesn't affect me in any way....
August 24, 2013
I read it as an ebook first (because it was a cheap gamble). Loved it so much I immediately bought the paperback as well. Some books you just have to own on paper. This is one of them. A beautiful, well written story for teenagers and those remembering to be teenagers. Highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in horses and people.
April 23, 2014
Have to admit i nearly put this book down after reading 15% and it still hadnt caught me. But very grateful I didn't as this was where it all begins! The writter has a way with words. The characters & horses beautifully described. Whether your 50 or 15 you will enjoy the adventure the is Eleanor Mcgraw, a Pony Named Mouse and a Boy Called Fire
May 30, 2014
I enjoyed this book very much. The story is great and not at all what I expected. I loved Eleanor, Pike, and Mouse. I had problems with my e-book copy from Amazon. In chapter three there is a knock on Eleanor's door. The rest of this sentence is finished in chapter 11. I notified Amazon and they sent me a repaired book. The rest of the book was much easier to read. I highly recommend this book.
July 29, 2016
this book it the best I have read in a long time cant wait to see if a second one come out was not what I through it would be but was better enjoyed reading every page
June 5, 2016
A nice coming of age book wrapped up in lots of horse culture, recommended by a nice UK lady, enjoyed immensely!
December 23, 2014
Absolutely lovely and wonderful!
The characters're stunning and reading this book is the best way to relax!
The characters're stunning and reading this book is the best way to relax!
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