In some of the toughest neighbourhoods in Philadelphia, kids often find hopeful futures dashed as they get caught up in drugs, guns and other evils to ‘cure boredom’. Unlikely heroes, there are a number of ghetto cowboys that provide children with a way out through a love of horses.
The Beginnings of Horse Dancer
Contemplating the life of one such girl who had her life cut short, Jojo Moyes was prompted to write the tale of Sarah Lachapelle, a talented fourteen year old girl that lives for her horse Boo. In the year of 1960, Henri Lachapelle has an incredible future ahead of him at Le Cadre Noir. A hard worker and exceptionally gifted, Lachapelle was a lower class farm boy.
Having beaten the odds, he was proving to be an ‘incroyable ecuyer’ (incredible horseman). Life can change suddenly however, and almost half a century later, Henri is no longer in his beloved France. His home is instead a cheap place in London where he is raising his fourteen year old grand daughter on his own.
Aware of the difficulties that life can throw at a teenage girl, Henri is desperate to make a way for Sarah. His energy is thrown into training his granddaughter in the way of Le Cadre Noir. Having discovered that girls had recently been accepted for the first time into this elite and historic riding academy, Henri sees a way to provide Sarah with a secure future.
Two Sides to the Story
Moyes combines the stories of two people, also writing of a lawyer whose speciality is the protection of children. Natasha’s future as a lawyer seems bright and perhaps the only good thing she has to focus on, as she is stuck living with her soon to be ex husband. Moyes cleverly describes the individual tale of these two females and weaves their stories together in an imaginative way.
Themes of Xenophon
Known as an incredible horseman, Xenophon’s book proves to be a great teacher for young Sarah. Each chapter of the Horse Dancer is introduced with a quote from this author, providing a unique way to progress the story.
Authentic History Brings the Horse Dancer to Life
A horsewoman herself, Jojo Moyes brings her knowledge of horses clearly into her writing, creating incredible pictures with the words used. Acknowledgments at the end of this novel indicate research into Le Cadre Noir as well as legal information and French vocabulary.
A novel in excess of 500 pages, the Horse Dancer is bound to capture the attention of horse enthusiasts, at times perhaps having them eager to be in the saddle at the very moment they’re reading. The Horse Dancer contains some swearing and sexual references and for this reason should be considered for more mature readers.
Source
The Horse Dancer, Jojo Moyes. Published by Hodder and Stoughton, 2009. ISBN 978 0 340 96159 9.
Chris Thomas - C. Thomas has studied and worked with horses since 2001. She teaches horse studies part time and is undertaking an Equine Science ...
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