STALLION'S FOE

by Glenn Balch ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 15, 1963

From the usually dependable Glenn Balch comes what seems to this reader an over-sentimentalized sequel to Horse in Danger (1960, p. 919, J-369). King, the black stallion, is aging, a dejected shadow of his former self because a younger stallion has taken over his mares. The ranch children, Ben and Dixie, feel he is ""more than a horse"" and that his psyche must be healed. So young Ben imports some mares -- takes them to King's lonely retreat -- re-kindles his lust for life -- and brings him back to suzerainty once more when, despite a wounded leg, King defeats his successor. While the horse values are probably sound (one can scarcely argue with Balch here), the plot is unbalanced. It would be a stronger book were there other incidents of ranch life unconnected with King, and some sense of the children leading an indoor- as well as an outdoor- existence. Avid ranch fans and horse fanatics, unselective in their fare, may relish this endless gallop, but there are better horse stories (many of them by this author) for their consumption.

Pub Date: April 15, 1963

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Crowell

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1963

Categories: FICTION