“The Yohnahlossee Riding Camp for Girls”- nominated for the 2015 Prix des lecteurs – le livre de poche- is, broadly, the story of Thea, a young girl coming of age in Depression-era U.S.A.
The story is told in the first-person and begins when Thea is sent away by her parents to the Riding Camp for having committed a grievous offense (the details of which are revealed in pieces to the reader throughout the narrative). At the Camp, Thea rides, meets other girls, and then proceeds to involve herself in another big intrigue…
I must say that I really enjoyed reading this novel. As a teenager, I really enjoyed reading old-fashioned novels with female protagonists (e.g., “The Secret Garden”) and this novel felt like a throw-back or homage to one of those. However, “The Yohnahlosee Riding Camp…” does explore darker issues such as the repression and shaming of passion for women (Passion for horses, perhaps, being the sole exception).
Disclafani managed to craft the novel in such a way that flashbacks to Thea’s past were well-woven into the present-day narrative. As well, there was just enough suspense in the novel to make the reader anxious to read more without overly frustrating the reader.
I recommend this novel as a light, public transportation or late night read, as it is an interesting, not to challenging read.
My rating: *** (good)
Advertisements Share this:
