In A HORSE BROUGHT US HERE, Dershie McDevitt transports readers back to the small, rural town of Juniper in 1959 Wyoming on homecoming weekend. The story alternates from two points of view: that of Nella Fortune, best friend to homecoming queen Bobby Jo Bonniface, and Bobby Jo’s loyal boyfriend, football star Rob Hitchcock. At the start, it seems the teens live typical lives engaged in parties, high school studies, and gossip. Though Nella has a secret crush on Rob, he only has eyes for Bobby Jo. But come the Monday after the weekend’s homecoming football festivities, Nella and Rob are stunned to learn Bobby Jo has died, apparently from a wasp sting. The pair are further bewildered when Bobby Jo’s family cremates her in a hasty funeral. The story progresses over two years as the teens try to make sense of the circumstances of Bobby Jo’s shocking death. Nella had been stunned by her best friend’s strange behavior before her death, unaware that Bobby Jo was pregnant, and Rob had planned to marry her. It takes a year and a half and much personal courage before Rob ensures the true circumstances of Bobby Jo’s shocking death come to light.
This novel shines as a period piece and social commentary. McDevitt’s research is painstaking, her pages filled with nostalgic references to Elvis, rock and roll hits, the taste of Red-Hot candy, and the scent of Aqua Velva on sweaty football players. The book is a richly rendered portrait of Classic Americana. It is well-paced, carried forward by the dilemma of a secret pregnancy and the young lovers’ fears for their future. Both protagonists, Nella and Rob, are strong, believable characters who work hard to come to grips with their loss. Nella matures as she resolves her guilt over her rivalry with her best friend. Rob’s task is harder: he must grieve the future family he imagined. That pushes him to press Bobby Jo’s family until he gets answers.
McDevitt’s precise prose and lyrical style capture the period tone, making the town come alive beyond typical poodle skirt and duck tail stereotypes. Also, McDevitt’s dialogue aptly reflects the confusing mindset of adolescence. An example of this occurs when Nella reflects on the closeness of her friendship with Bobby Jo: “I always discussed things you’d never talk to anybody else about. How to shave your legs. Could you French-kiss with braces on? Were you still a virgin if you used Tampax?”
The weakest elements in the book are the sketchy adult characters. An example of this is a teacher’s insensitive behavior after she breaks the news of Bobby Jo’s death. Rather than comfort the students, the teacher gives them a permission slip to take the day off—then tells them that senior girls are expected to set an example and carry on as if nothing happened. Also, throughout the book there are few references to Bobby Jo’s relationship with her father, which makes some of his actions seem implausible.
The book has no typos or grammatical flaws, and its fitting cover captures the narrative’s bittersweet tone—making for an effective reading experience overall.
Dershie McDevitt has penned a thought-provoking literary gem in her richly researched, coming-of-age shocker, A HORSE BROUGHT US HERE.
~Robin L Harvey for IndieReader
