Pony
By R. J. Palacio
Blurb
The highly anticipated, unforgettable new story from the internationally bestselling, multi-award-winning author of WONDER.
When Silas Bird wakes in the dead of night, he watches powerlessly as three strangers take his father away. Silas is left shaken, scared and alone, except for the presence of his companion, Mittenwool . . . who happens to be a ghost. But then a mysterious pony shows up at his door, and Silas knows what he has to do. So begins a perilous journey to find his father - a journey that will connect him with his past, his future, and the unknowable world around him.
PONY is destined to become a future classic.
Our Review
Having missed out on Wonder I was unaware of the splendour of R.J. Palacio’s writing until I read Pony. Pony is incredibly moving and sure to be an instant classic.
In all honesty I probably would have passed it by completely if it hadn’t come to my attention via a recent campaign by the book fairies. It really is a superb book, and I am so glad I read it.
The style of writing in Pony is such that you forget that you are reading and feel as though you are right there with Silas on his journey.
When we first meet Silas, he has been living a sheltered life with his father, family dog and his best friend Mittenwool who just happens to be a ghost.
“Mittenwool is a ghost, but I’m not sure that’s the right word for him. Spirit. Apparition. Fact is, I don’t know what the right word for him is, exactly. Pa thinks he is an imaginary friend or some thing, but I know that’s not what he is. Mittenwool is as real as the chair he sits on, and the house we live in, and the dog. That no one but me can see him, or hear him, doesn’t mean he’s not real.”
Silas’ dad is a bootmaker who dabbles in a new form of photography on the side. He is very good at it and it this that brings trouble to their door.
“It was at this time that our lives were forever changed by the predawn visitation of three riders and a bald-faced pony.”
The strangers come bearing guns force his dad to come away with them and though he promises his dad he will stay home he finds himself packing for a journey.
“My hands, mind you were already carrying a coil of rope and a knife and a canteen of water and salted meat, which all made sense for me to take on a journey. But a violin? That make no sense. All I can think is that maybe life knows where it’s going before you do sometimes, and somewhere deep inside me, in the room of my heart, I knew that I would not be coming home again.”
Pony is a wonderful, beautifully written story and is ideal for anyone who feels like an outsider.
#choosecourage
Our Final Rating...
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