Review of A Horse Brought Us Here

[Harty Muli]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "A Horse Brought Us Here" by Dershie McDevitt.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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A Horse Brought Us Here by Dershie McDevitt explores the decision-making process of a group of close-knit friends and their parents, which sometimes leads them to make poor choices that carry lifelong consequences. Set around the 1950s in the ranching town of Juniper, Wyoming, it gives a historical context to modern-day social problems, like dysfunctional families, teenage pregnancy, abortion, and alcoholism.

At Juniper High, Nella Fortune had two remarkably close friends, BJ (Bobby Jo) Bonniface and Midge Mahoney. Nella met BJ, then known as Roberta Jo, in 1948, when they were both six. This was during a campaign parade that had been organized for Thomas E. Dewey, a New York governor. Nella first dated Rusty Barclay before he dumped her for Lorna Casey. BJ went steady with Rob Hitchcock, while Nella’s second-best friend, Midge, dated Mike Chase.

I liked that McDevitt was able to feature realistic characters in her novel. For example, Rob, as the protagonist, suffered the effects of an alcoholic and absentee father. He was a great athlete—the best quarterback—in the state of Wyoming. Whenever he played, he hoped his no-show dad was watching and proud of him wherever he was. At one point, circumstances forced him to consider quitting football before the season was over and go looking for a job. However, an older friend, Mr. Quackenbush, came through for him and more than played the role that should have been his dad’s.

I considered this novel to be aimed at young people as the primary audience. Therefore, I didn’t understand why the writing had a lot of foul language in it, especially since it was set in the 1950s and early sixties. This was the only aspect I disliked about the novel. The book had a few editing errors that were not distracting. In summary, I rated it 4 out of 5 stars.

I recommend this book to teenagers and those in their early twenties as the primary target. At the same time, it’s less suited for readers averse to foul language and profanity.

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A Horse Brought Us Here
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[Amy Luman]

This novel seems to show that nothing is new. Everything that is being seen today has been happening for a long time, especially with the family. Thanks!

[Cynthia Pence]

Reading this review A Horse Brought Us Here by Dershie McDevitt seems like a poignant exploration of the complexities of friendship, the impact of family dynamics, and the difficult choices young people face. Set against the backdrop of 1950s Juniper, Wyoming, the novel not only immerses readers in a rich historical context but also tackles significant social issues that remain relevant today, such as teenage pregnancy, dysfunctional families, and the effects of alcoholism. Thanks for sharing your review of this book.

[Nneka Bridget]

This sounds like a compelling story set in a fascinating era. The friendships, personal struggles, and hard-hitting themes of A Horse Brought Us Here add such depth to its 1950s Wyoming setting. The characters, especially Rob, seem truly memorable with realistic challenges. While the language might not suit everyone, it sounds like the story still holds powerful lessons for young readers. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this engaging read!