For a book that was written more than 20 years ago, I'm wondering how I missed hearing about it. After all, it is a fun and easy book to read, but it is also very "touching."
What do I mean by "touching?" Well, Uncle Ronald reminds me of people that I know and that I know about, who have suffered because of the way things are in their family.
The story of Uncle Ronald is told by a character Mickey O'Rourke, who is over 100 years old, who lives in a nursing home and can't remember what he did two seconds ago, but he has crystal clear memory of what happened 100 years ago when he was 12. The year was about 1900 as Mickey recalled it, and he had been sent to live with his Uncle Ronald because his dad was beating him and his mom. Uncle Ronald lives in a little town in the Gatineau region of Quebec, and the townfolk, strange lot they are, are bent on NOT paying their taxes.
Uncle Ronald is a quiet, strong man. His horse is named Second Chance Lance. Mickey the boy overcomes his fears and finds some healing and some hope with the help of Uncle Ronald and Second Chance Lance. The ending to the story is sure to surprize everyone.
I recommend this book to anyone whose life is "just way too crazy" and is looking for a bit of hope and some good laughs. Oh yes, and also for anyone who loves horses!
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars (seriously)
Genre: historical fiction
Level: grade 5 and up
Subjects: Gatineau region, life in a town in 1900 before electricity, travel in 1900
Review by G. Brown
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