Thunderhead Summary and Reviews

Thunderhead
by Mary O'Hara

Thunderhead
Our Price: $30.04
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions


or

Book Summary Information

Author: Mary O'Hara
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 1988-03-08
ISBN: 0060809035
Number of pages: 384
Publisher: Harper Paperbacks

Book Reviews of Thunderhead

Book Review: "A Pegasus"
Summary: 5 Stars

This is the companion follow up for the beautiful story "My Friend Flicka". Foaled in a wild spring storm, and subsequently named for the dense white, billowing cloud that suggests one, it's a tale not only of a horse, but of of a beloved childhood fading into maturity, which is directed by disappointment, triumph and the acceptance of things "you cannot change" for the boy, Ken; and for his parents, a renewal of hope for their marriage, nearly torn apart as their financially troubled ranch was nearly lost; and through desperate, last ditch "change of direction" from a dream that wasn't coming true - a gut-wrenching decision for the stubborn father, Rob, who must give much of it up after putting most of his life into it - in order to save "any" of it.

The loss of his own first horse, Gypsy, the one whom he had first ridden at West Point in his youth, and on whose bloodline he had pinned his hopes, in a winter blizzard is truly one of the most emotional, heart-rending passages you are likely to read anywhere, one anyone of a certain age can identify with - as life and loss flash past him and the long drawn out howl of a wolf is heard in the distance, adding to his anguish.

But it is also a story about the maturity of the horse, from an ungainly colt to a magnificent, unruly stallion, whose mustang blood runs high in his veins, overpowering the blood of his gentle dam, Flicka. It's unique story line is further aided by glorious descriptions of the mountains and the extinct volcano valley in Colorado where fate leads Thunderhead to his white grandfather, The Albino; of the streams and green grass and rolling hills; sunsets and violent, yet beautiful storms. it is poetry as a story then, not simply the written line.

The book is not just for children, although that was when i first read it too. The adult theme runs throughout, and goes over the head of the child reader. If he returns as an adult to re-read a classic of youth, it is well worth the effort. The story has been copied and simulated many times, without much success, because, after all, "nothing is better than the Original."

Horses Books

Book Subjects
Most talked about in Horses Books
Break-Out at the Bug Lab (Easy-to-Read, Puffin) ImageBreak-Out at the Bug Lab (Easy-to-Read, Puffin)
by Ruth Horowitz
Puffin; Published: 2002-11-11; Paperback; Book
Best price: $1.13
Price in other shops: $3.99
Why Do Horses Neigh? (Easy-to-Read, Puffin) ImageWhy Do Horses Neigh? (Easy-to-Read, Puffin)
by Joan Holub
Puffin; Published: 2003-01-27; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $1.04
Price in other shops: $3.99
A Friend in Rain ImageA Friend in Rain
by Cathy Hapka
Puffin; Published: 2002-04-29; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Price in other shops: $4.99
Sheltie Special 4: The Big Present ImageSheltie Special 4: The Big Present
by PETER CLOVER
PUFFIN BOOKS; Published: 1999; Paperback; Book
Sheltie 19: Sheltie in Double Trouble ImageSheltie 19: Sheltie in Double Trouble
by Peter Clover
Puffin Books; Published: 1999-02-12; Paperback; Book
Black Beauty (Puffin Choice) ImageBlack Beauty (Puffin Choice)
by Anna Sewell
Penguin Books; Published: 1954-05-01; Paperback; Book
King of the Wind: The Story of the Godolphin Arabian ImageKing of the Wind: The Story of the Godolphin Arabian
by Marguerite Henry
Aladdin; Published: 1990-11-01; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $5.40
Price in other shops: $19.99
Black Beauty (Golden Look-Look Book) ImageBlack Beauty (Golden Look-Look Book)
by Golden Books
Golden Books; Published: 1999-12-31; Paperback; Book
Best price: $0.01
Price in other shops: $3.29
The Horse and His Boy (Narnia) ImageThe Horse and His Boy (Narnia)
by C. S. Lewis
HarperFestival; Published: 2002-11-26; Audio Cassette; Book
Best price: $3.22
Price in other shops: $24.00
A Horse Called Wonder/Wonder's Promise/Wonder's First Race/Wonder's Victory (Thoroughbred Series 1-4) ImageA Horse Called Wonder/ Wonder's Promise/ Wonder's First Race/ Wonder's Victory (Thoroughbred Series 1-4)
by Joanna Campbell
HarperCollins; Published: 2003-07-01; Paperback; Book
Price in other shops: $19.96
Similar books summaries and other product reviews
King of the Wind: The Story of the Godolphin Arabian ImageKing of the Wind: The Story of the Godolphin Arabian
by Marguerite Henry
Simon & Schuster; Aladdin; Published: 2006-12-26; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.85
Price in other shops: $5.99
National Velvet (Book and Charm) ImageNational Velvet (Book and Charm)
by Enid Bagnold
HarperFestival; Published: 2002-05-28; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.61
Price in other shops: $6.99
The Black Stallion ImageThe Black Stallion
by Walter Farley
Books; Random House; Published: 1991-08-20; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.26
Price in other shops: $6.99
Green Grass of Wyoming ImageGreen Grass of Wyoming
by Mary O'Hara
Peoples Book Club; Published: 1946; Hardcover; Book
the catch colt Imagethe catch colt
by mary o'hara
McClelland and Stewart; Published: 1981; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $68.12
My Friend Flicka ImageMy Friend Flicka
by Mary O'Hara
Paw Prints 2008-04-25; Published: 2008-04-25; Library Binding; Book
Best price: $15.99
Wyoming summer ImageWyoming summer
by Mary O'Hara
Doubleday; Published: 1963; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $172.80
Flicka Family Classics Collection (My Friend Flicka / Thunderhead: Son of Flicka / The Green Grass of Wyoming) ImageFlicka Family Classics Collection (My Friend Flicka / Thunderhead: Son of Flicka / The Green Grass of Wyoming)
Fox; Release date: 2007-02-06; DVD
Best price: $12.01
Price in other shops: $29.98
Green Grass of Wyoming ImageGreen Grass of Wyoming
by Mary O'Hara
Harpercollins; Published: 1988-06; Paperback; Book
Best price: $172.50
My Friend Flicka ImageMy Friend Flicka
by Mary O'Hara
HarperCollins; Published: 2008-04-08; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.49
Price in other shops: $6.99