"In The Loneliness of Horses, Andrea Thalasinos weaves a captivating multigenerational saga that transcends time and geography. Set against the rugged backdrop of Nova Scotia and the deserts of northern Arizona, this novel explores the profound connections between two women, centuries apart, whose lives are dramatically reshaped by their fierce love for horses. Amid themes of displacement, resilience, and enduring bonds with nature, Thalasinos crafts a narrative that is as much about finding one's place in the world as it is about the unspoken kinship between humans and animals. A testament to courage and the pursuit of freedom, the story delves into the heart of what it means to stand up for one's beliefs and the intricate web of life that connects us all. Andrea's rich background in sociology and her deep engagement with animal welfare illuminate every page, offering a compelling and deeply insightful story."

My friend Mike did the book cover!

Finished The Loneliness of Horses by Andrea Thalasinos

Description:
In 1972 Evie has a young kid, two mustangs, a stolen lamb, and an abusive ex. She flees Arizona for Canada and shacks up with a dickhead. In 1778 Belle absconds from her father's house in Scotland to nick her sister's fiance in Canada (who’s also quite the dickhead), taking two horses on the perilous sea crossing with her.

Liked:
There's loads going on here, the scenery is lush and there's a love of animals that provides a (slightly shaky) throughline for the book. I liked that Evie goes to bat for what she believes in, although she evidently doesn't believe in herself enough to lift a finger for her own peace of mind.

Disliked:
Very much in need of a good edit pass. The narrative seems to shift between the two main timelines at random, and jumps forward and backward in time for Evie's - also shifting to another character at one point in the middle, before we've been introduced to him in either of the main narratives. At least one named horse just goes completely missing in the middle of the book, and action is often interrupted by flashbacks to random conversations with Evie's neighbours, almost all of whom are utterly unnecessary for the plot. The link between the two timelines never really coalesces, and hints of a ghostly presence are pretty much just dropped halfway through. There's a lot of compelling material here, but it's so disorganised it becomes difficult to understand and/or care.

Would recommend if this passes through the hands of a loving editor. Otherwise, unfortunately not.

This was a beautifully done story and was engaged with what was happening in the story. The characters worked well overall and thought the feel was everything that I was looking for. Andrea Thalasinos wrote this well and thought the concept was wonderfully done.

My daughter absolutely loves horses, and I just loved the beautiful cover of this book. But wow, this book is absolutely phenomenal! Andrea Thalasinos did a wonderful job putting together this beautiful book. Loved it!