Book review - Bea and the New Deal Horse

 

Title: Bea and the New Deal Horse

Author: L.M. Elliot

Genre: historical fiction

Similar books: Lucky Strikes by Louis Bayard

                      Saving Grace by Priscilla Cummings

Rating:

 

solid and engaging

Summary (provided by publisher): Bea wakes to Daddy’s note in a hayloft, where he abandoned her with her little sister after the stock market crash took everything: Daddy’s job at the bank, their home, Mama’s health and life.
How is Bea supposed to convince the imposing Mrs. Scott to take in two stray children? Mrs. Scott’s money and Virginia farm are drying up in a drought and the Great Depression, too. She might have to sell her beautiful horses, starting with a dangerous chestnut that has caused tragedy in the past and injures her stableman shortly after Bea arrives.
But wrestling with her own hurts and fears, Bea understands the chestnut’s skittish distrust. She sees hope in the powerful jumper—if he can compete at horse shows, they might save the farm, and maybe Bea can even win a place in Mrs. Scott’s heart.

My opinion: The first noteworthy thing about this book is the perspective. Typically books about the Depression focus on the Dust Bowl, on farmers. This book instead shows us people used to privilege. Bea goes from a comfortable home and her own pony to life on the road, hiding nights in barns, as her father fails to cope with his extreme change in circumstances. We see the same stress and loss in the Scott home as the lady of the house and just a few beloved employees try to keep the the taxes paid and the lights on. We see people helping each other and trying to maintain a little dignity even in the worst circumstances. Importantly, we also see racial injustice, failings of government, and the wasteful displays of wealth by the hyper rich. We see cruelty and it's echoing effect on those at the receiving end and on bystanders. While the ending is a bit idealized the parallels between an abused horse and people damaged by circumstance are a solid metaphor for this age group.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley