Review main contain plot spoilers.
The group had mixed reactions to this book. One group member, who grew up in the same area as the author felt that the area and period had been really well depicted.
Many of the characters depicted are emotionally stunted which often makes the novel bleak. Some group members have surmised that the “disease” that Rowley develops may be Multiple Sclerosis which the author has.
Rowley is decent and loving and sensitive to people and animals and it is a shame that his kindness didn’t influence Noah.
Foal’s Bread is a bleak book but is still readable and has happy moments too.
Some of the horses in the book – particularly Landwind are definitely characters in themselves.
The group had a robust discussion about the relationship between humans and horses – some feeling that it was typical of the times and the country; others felt it was unnecessarily cruel at times.