Now this book has taken me awhile to get through. That is solely due to a list a mile long of things I need to do (as opposed to want to!) and a lack of hours! I received Belladonna by Mary Finn in the post at the same time as Ghetto Cowboy.
I absolutely love the unique subject matter that this story is worked around. A fan of the anatomical equine paintings of George Stubbs, Finn has created a wonderful story that weaves English and French history of the 1700s in amongst the lives of a 15 year old English boy and the young French girl that he stumbles across.
Going by the name of Ling, the young French girl is in dangerous territory in the town of Horkstow, England at a time when the French and English are at war. She is desperately searching for her beloved Belladonna, a white mare with a mane and tail the colour of barley.
Finn writes in such a way that the reader is able to imagine what the characters look like, can picture the countryside and the incredible events that befall the pair. A more in depth review can be found as usual with my other reviews at Suite101.
Author: Mary Finn
Fiction: Historical, 11 years and up
In my library? A resounding yes. I really enjoyed this novel, finding it a delight to read and an incredible telling of how the works of George Stubbs could have come about.
Want it? Get it now on Amazon.
Tags: horse story, equine book review, equine author, horse library, horse writing, Mary Finn, Belladonna