The Horse Dancer

Narrator Fiona Hardingham deftly portrays Sarah Lachapelle, a 14-year-old who is left alone in the world when her grandfather, her only family, has a stroke. Hardingham is also excellent as Natasha, a lawyer who gets involved in Sarah's life, first on a professional level and then personally. Sarah's life revolves around her grandfather's horse, Boo, whom she is training in hopes of joining an elite horsemanship group in France, Le Cadre Noir. Hardingham's engaged, expertly paced narration brings out the variety of emotions associated with Sarah's bereavement, especially her determination to succeed in spite of her loss. Hardingham also captures Natasha's hesitance to become personally involved with the girl, as well as her sadness over her failing marriage. The characters' emotional turmoil comes together in a lovely story. M.M.G. � AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine