My Friend Flicka

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Summary: My Friend Flicka
Review: (Note: This review gives away some elements of the story. I do not believe that it will spoil it for anybody, but am warning you as you are the best judge of that.)

Many of the reviewers below have said that this is a must read for anybody who loves horses. Goodness knows they're right, but I'm just writing (as one who is only a very mild fan of horses) to say that it is just as much of a must read for anybody who likes people.

This book is about a sensitive 10 year old boy who is misunderstood by his authoritarian, ex-military father, and struggles to live up to the high standard set by his older brother. His continued failures drive him further and further into the dream world that is their cause. He dreams of having a horse of his own to be his friend (his father owns a horse ranch).

The plot really gets interesting when his mother convinces his father to give him a horse, which she believes will teach him responsibility, and -- to his father's dismay -- he chooses one of the wildest, most unmanageable fillies on the ranch. The remainder of the book unfolds what the boy (as well as his father) learns about life, and his developing relationships with both his father and his horse. I will go no farther in revealing the plot.

This book will be appreciated by horse lovers for obvious reasons. I hope I have been able to show a little of why it will also be appreciated by anyone who enjoys good literature with a good plot, or is a student of human nature or of good writing.

Finally, a word on style. While O'Hara's style is not unique to the extent that Barrie's, Tarkington's, or even Joyce's is, it is highly enjoyable, perfectly fitted to the content, and well above average. The book is the kind that is genuinely fun to read, one of those books that you can't put down, and the reading as well as the plot of which will provide a pleasant memory.

-Stephen

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Summary: I Luv Horses!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: I have read this book a number of times, and it still stands up to the test of time.
Flicka is a special horse, and has a special bond with the young hero of this story.
My Friend Flicka is the kind of book that you can read again and again, from childhood to adulthood.

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Summary: This is the best book...
Review: I read this for school in 8th grade 2 years ago...I absolutely loved this book. It gripped me in till the end and even made me cry...I highly reccomend this book, especially if you love horses!

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Summary: Not Just for Children
Review: Long relegated to the ranks of children's books, My Friend Flicka is indeed a wonderful story for a thoughtful child. I first read it at the age of 9, and have read it many, many more times throughout my life.

As a 9-year-old, I loved the story of the sensitive boy, Ken, and his filly Flicka, who has questionable bloodlines and does not meet with the approval of Ken's stern rancher father, Rob McLaughlin. Boy and horse must surmount that initial disapproval and all sorts of other challenges as they struggle and grow together.

But on another level entirely, My Friend Flicka is the story of a marriage that is so real, so adult, and so compelling, that any adult can appreciate the story. In a nutshell: Rob McLaughlin, a former captain in the Army (this was written shortly after World War II), is struggling to make a success of his Goose Bar Ranch, where he raises thoroughbreds in the rugged Wyoming countryside. His wife, Nell, is a blueblood from the East whose apparent fragility masks an inner strength that is Rob's lifeline. A delicate-looking beauty, Nell nevertheless can deliver foals at midnight, weather all the storms that ranching throws her way, and still feed a hungry crew of workers three times a day.

Rob and Nell's marriage is strong and passionate. But their one bone of contention is their second son, Ken, a daydreamer who simply does not fit the mold of Rob's ideal son. Older boy Howard is the perfect McLaughlin: athletic, strong, personable, talented, outgoing. Ken is slight, small, quiet, sickly, and above all, a creative dreamer. But when he sets his sights on a horse of which his father strongly disapproves, Nell fiercely backs his choice. And Ken begins to grow as a man--in his own way and in his own speed. And Rob learns some strong lessons about being a man, a father, and a husband.

If you have never read this book, or if it lives on your child's bookshelves, give yourself a treat. It's much more than you think.

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Summary: I Luv Horses!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: My friend Flicka was a wonderful,but sad book.Everyone will enjoy reading it.It's a "wonderful" book!!!!!!

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Summary: I LOVED this book!
Review: This book has been a favorite of mine ever since the first time I read it. I read it all I can and lend it to ALL of my friends. There is so much to learn from this book, not only do you learn about horses and methods of training them, but you also learn about the human nature. You have Ken, the boy that only wanted one thing, a colt, but could not have one because of his forgetfullness. You've got Rob McLaughlin, a soldier boy who expects his boys to be army boys too. You've got Nell, the well-doer in this book, with a soft, kind heart.

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Summary: The Best Book in the Universe!
Review: This book is about a boy named Ken. He is in the fifth grade and lives on a ranch in Wyoming.

Ken can never seem to do anything right. So when his mom suggests that he is given a colt, like he always wanted, even I was surprised. Anyway he finally gets what he wants. He ends up getting a filly and names him Flicka. The rest of the adventure is up for you to find out.

I liked this book because it is about horses, colts, people, and their relationships with each other. All things that are natural to nature. I also liked it because it showed that even if you struggle in the beginning, things can still turn out right in the end.

I thought this book was very enjoyable to read. I would recommend it to anyone of any age.

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Summary: YOU HAVE GOT TO READ THIS BOOK!
Review: This is my favorite book ever! I carry it around with me everywhere! This book will touch your heart and soul, and you'll never forget it! Mary O'Hara's style of writing makes you grow to love Flicka and Ken! Flicka, a wild filly who is thought to be loco because all of her descendants are, is the only filly Ken, a young day dreamer, will have. His father is outraged when Ken will have no other! When they bring Flicka in, she is so afraid, she tries to jump a barbed wire fence that is obviously too high! The McLaughlin's can't afford anything but barbed wire fencing, and Flicka is torn up. Because she is so hurt, Ken can get close to her, and soon becomes her whole world. When hail comes, he threw himself over her head to protect her, and reads to her for hours, sometimes he'll just gaze at her. If you like horses, this book will make you love horses! A must read for ANYBODY who is the least bit interested in horses!