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For more than two decades, I have dedicated my life to riding and training horses. When I came across "Sunny Gale," a novel, I was excited to delve into the story of a woman who played a pivotal role in revolutionizing the rodeo experience for women.
About Sunny Gale a Novel Book
It’s 1895, and fourteen-year-old Hannah Brandt is struggling with the hard life on a new Nebraska homestead. When a wild filly captures her imagination, she becomes obsessed with horses, which opens the door to her destiny. Just three years later she enters the first Cheyenne Frontier Day rodeo where she wins the relay race, the following year she wins the bronc riding and her fate is sealed. She gives herself a new name, Sunny Gale, and pursues a rodeo career, much to the disgust of her young husband and her very proper mother. Sunny defies convention with every move as the drive to compete takes over her life, leaving everything else behind, including her husband and children. She has chosen a rough life, but she craves the glory of the spotlight and refuses to bow to the expectations of a woman in her time.
Award-winning author Jamie Lisa Forbes has once again days when the rodeo was wide open for them to become stars. It is a story of the social mores of the times and of a woman determined to defy them no matter how high the personal cost or where that choice might take her.
“Forbes is an experienced author, and her latest novel is beautifully, even poetically, written with well-developed characters.…a moving, memorable, and fully realized rodeo saga.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred)
“Forbes captures an accurate picture of the relentless drive to compete along with a fascinating story of the earliest women in rodeo.”—Abe Morris, author of My Cowboy Hat Still Fits
“Powerful, poignant, and authentic, Sunny Gale reveals how women once ruled rodeo, a story long hidden from history.” —Lynn Downey, author of Dudes Rush In and Dude or Die
“Sunny Gale is exciting, well-written and developed, and will make the reader laugh and cry throughout.”—Kathy Stickles, Feathered Quill Book Reviews.
I have so many different opinions about Sunny Gale book. As a woman who was a cowgirl before my feet hit the ground and had a strong passion for horseback riding until I had to give up my beloved Tripp, I was expecting this book to be one to captivate me.
However, I was not blown away by this book. Instead, I was not impressed with Sunny's decisions throughout it. As a result, I found it hard to be supportive and excited about her rodeo journey.
I could relate to her desire to pursue rodeo life above being a wife and a mother, but it bothers me that she didn't seem to miss Mollie until she passed away. I gave up my firstborn daughter to her father and his at the time wife because, at the time, I felt that they could provide her with a better life than I could have. To this day, I do not regret that decision, but it shattered my heart and soul to make that choice. I miss her daily and think of her often, but sadly, time doesn't heal all wounds. My daughter and I tried to stay in touch, but we couldn't close the gap from our time apart. She doesn't fully understand why I made the choice I made, and quite honestly, I doubt she will until I'm dead and gone. But Sunny didn't seem like she missed either of her kids, and she wasn't the least bit distraught over leaving behind family and friends.
I know some people who have lived the truck driving and rodeo life; for them, it's a calling and a passion. My husband was an over-the-road trucker for some time and sometimes desperately misses it. But he has made it clear he'd only go back to it again if I were able to go with him. I'd do it in a skinny second because the year I got to do that with him and my father-in-law while I was pregnant was one of my fondest periods. But I know others on these career paths who have no problem leaving behind loved ones.
Sunny had an interesting life journey, to put it mildly. She and Ruth made opportunities available for other women. They both were examples of women who changed the way society views women, and I admire them for that. It does sound like life during that time meant a lot of hard work, dedication, and willingness to deal with criticism.
If you like historical stories and getting a personal insight into someone's life, you will appreciate reading the Sunny Gale book.
I don’t like how I feel like I judged her mothering decisions since I’m not the queen mother. But In the same token, giving up my oldest daughter was not an easy decision for me! There isn’t a day that goes by that she doesn’t cross my mind. But I didn’t choose to do that out of selfishness to go pursue my dreams. I have tons of dreams and things I know I’ll do once my youngest no longer wants my attention as much as she does now.
Thank you for stopping by and commenting. I hope to see you again soon.
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I always appreciate your reviews. While I do like historical fiction I’m not sure I would read this because of the same feelings you’ve shared.
I don’t like how I feel like I judged her mothering decisions since I’m not the queen mother. But In the same token, giving up my oldest daughter was not an easy decision for me! There isn’t a day that goes by that she doesn’t cross my mind. But I didn’t choose to do that out of selfishness to go pursue my dreams. I have tons of dreams and things I know I’ll do once my youngest no longer wants my attention as much as she does now.
Thank you for stopping by and commenting. I hope to see you again soon.