A Horse Called Hero

By Sam Angus

It is 1940. As the Second World War escalates and London becomes a target for German bombs, Dodo and her horse-mad little brother Wolfie are evacuated to the country, away from everything they know. After weeks of homesick loneliness, they come across an orphaned foal. They name the horse Hero for surviving against the odds and together they raise him, train him, and learn to ride.

Their days are suddenly full of life and excitement again, but the shadow of war looms over their peaceful existence, and soon Hero must live up to his name . . .

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pan Macmillan
• Release date: Aug 29, 2013
• ISBN: 9781447241379

Sam Angus

Sam Angus was born in Italy, grew up in France and Spain and was educated rather haphazardly in most of these countries, at many different schools. She was asked to leave at least one school. She studied English Literature at Trinity College, Cambridge where she kept a dog until he was discovered being smuggled out of college in a laundry basket. So she was summoned and asked to leave Cambridge too. Unless the dog left, in which case she might stay. She taught A level English before spending a decade in the fashion industry and now writes full time. She lives between Exmoor and London with improvident numbers of children, dogs and horses.

Reviews for A Horse Called Hero

[bookwren · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is one of the best historical fiction novels I've read since "Good Night, Mr. Tom" (by Michelle Magorian) and the best horse story since Walter Farley's "The Black Stallion." Sam Angus' ability to describe the love between a boy and horse is phenomenal. The letters from Pa to Wolfie about horses intertwine throughout the story to develop and emphasize that love. Exquisite passages of idyllic moments in the English countryside between brother and sister, horses and children contrast with horrific war and coal mine scenes, but all weaves together fluidly to tell a heartfelt and historically accurate story. Pa, Father Lamb and Hettie are beautiful adult characters who love and support Dodo and Wolfie, but never condescend. Courage is a strong theme. I love Father Lamb's sensitivity to both sides of the war, praying for the German people as well as the English, despite being ostracized by his own community. Pa always tells his children the truth even when it's brutal and hard. I must admit, the plot started out a bit slow, but it gains momentum once the children move to the country. Young readers may have a bit of trouble with some of the Briticisms and local slang words, but they don't detract from the power of the story. I highly recommend this book to readers who like historical fiction, family stories, and most especially, horses. I need to read it again more slowly to honor the beautiful writing.

[sullywriter_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A historical novel set in WWII-era England. Good old-fashioned storytelling but a bit melodramatic.