Recommendation

One of the best books that I've read recently is The Hearts of Horses by Molly Gloss. I heard Gloss read a passage from the novel in May at PSU, and the scene she chose brought tears to my eyes. The novel is about a young woman breaking horses in 1917 in Eastern Oregon. Gloss's voice is pitch-perfect throughout the story. It reminded me of my grandfather's tone when he told old stories about being a cowboy on the high desert--all matter of fact with no drama. You had to really listen because his voice didn't change, even when someone got shot. But his stories were so good you couldn't help but listen. (My grandfather was 17 in 1917--probably another reason I really enjoyed the novel.) Ultimately The Hearts of Horses is a story about finding one's self within a community--and finding love along the way. It's a beautiful story.