5.0 out of 5 stars
Catherine Ryan Hyde's best novel, April 15 2004
This review is from: Funerals for Horses (Hardcover)
It's so odd that the best books by Catherine Ryan Hyde (this one and her book of short stories, "Earthquake Weather") are out of print while her lesser work is still being published.
"Funerals for Horses" is not nearly as uplifting as "Pay it Forward" (it's not its purpose) and it is a million times more realistic than either "Electric God" or "Walter's Purple Heart." In both of these more recent novels it was obvious that Hyde was in way over her head. Not so with "Funerals." Here she flexed her literary muscle.
"Funerals" is a descent into a family's dark past and, at times, even into madness. I believe it could even be described as cathartic, especially for anyone recovering from their own childhood. Through it all Hyde maintains a believable tone and atmosphere which is a tough path to follow. Not too many authors can approach this topic (metaphor, family abuse, mental illness) without coming off as melodramatic or just incoherent.
I can't say that "Funerals" is for everyone. But it is an excellent novel nonetheless. I highly recommend it.
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