Slightly OT: Primrose Cumming

This week I received 2 new pony books, and for once they weren't actually P-T books. They were actually 2 Primrose Cumming books, they were the first edition of Foal of the Fjords and the Fidra Books edition of Silver Snaffles. This makes 3 Primrose Cumming books I now possess, the other one I have is her No Place For Ponies, a book I bought rather cheaply on ebay.

I must admit that I have not read her books before, No Place For Ponies is something that I have had on my bookshelf, but due to the nature of this blog, the P-T sisters must come first (after all how are you supposed to write a review of a book that I have never read?), but Primrose Cumming's books are something that I would love to collect. Alas, I dont think that I will ever get all of her books; Rivals to Silver Eagle and The Deep Sea Horse are so hard to find, and therefore cost a pretty penny (if I could find them).

Silver Snaffles is one that I took advantage of when Fidra were doing their "buy three books and receive a £5 discount". As I wanted to read this book, so much I bought it anyway, the price was (I suspect it has changed since this reprint came on the market) at least £50 on abebooks, which I did not want to pay. At a more modest price, at least if I did not like this, it wouldn't be too bad as having paid a higher sum.

Anyway, I picked this up last night (only just had it yesterday) to look at the book, and flick through the forward, which Jane Badger wrote. But I did not stop there. I read it in one whole sitting, a book which I have not done before (unless you count Christine P-T's Candy or Sophy series, but to be honest, they could be read in 5 minutes). Jane brilliantly observes that "Silver Snaffles still weaves its spell today", which is completely true. I fell in love with it, and it has been a long while since I thoroughly enjoyed a book.

Regarding Primrose herself, I am always utterly amused by this comment, every time I read it:-

Primrose herself was highly amused, one day in her later life, when her neighbour at a dinner party remarked, “I used to have a story called Silver Snaffles as a child, but I’m afraid I can’t remember who wrote it.” “Well, actually, I did,” confessed Primrose, whereupon her neighbour, she told me, almost fell off her chair.

I am not surprised the dinner guest was shocked, I would be too, if I found out that I was related to or sitting with a great pony author. The nearest I felt shock was when I received a letter from both Josephine and Diana earlier on this year, but it was a good one. I darent think what would happen if I found out I was related to them, but I fear I have more chance of winning the lottery than that happening.

But if you can, I do urge you to get Silver Snaffles. The price isn't that bad for the Fidra books reprint, and they are slowly being delivered out. Or, if you get some money for Christmas, then do that. To miss this book, I feel would be an injustice. I feel it is better written than Black Beauty.