The Horse Boy: A Father's Miraculous Journey to Heal His Son - Hardcover

Isaacson, Rupert

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0670917362 ISBN 13: 9780670917365

Publisher: Viking, 2009

Synopsis

When their son Rowan was born, Rupert and Kristin's dream had come true. But the dream became a nightmare when their beautiful boy developed a disorder that left him incapable of communication, tormented by raging fits, requiring 24-hour care - and shattering their lives.

Then, one day, father and son were walking in the woods near their house and stumbled across their neighbour's old brown horse, Betsy. What happened next was unlike anything Rupert had ever seen. Certainly, the effect on Betsy was extraordinary: she went stock-still and bowed her head, wide-eyed and quivering before the child. But when Rupert lifted Rowan onto Betsy's back, the effect on his son was nothing short of miraculous: Rowan started to speak...

Shaken but exhilarated, Rupert proposed that the family make a journey to the ancient homeland of the horse, deep in the wilds of Mongolia, where he'd heard astonishing stories of healing and transformation. So began an epic journey on horseback, from their home in Texas to the furthest reaches of the planet - a journey that would test their love, challenge their beliefs, and change their lives.

About this title

Review:

Executed with a trace more sentiment, a fraction less ironic intelligence, a degree less fine observation, this book would be unbearable. But somewhere within himself Isaacson has found the rigour to keep in balance his mysticism, his hope and love for his son, and his sheer infuriation at the outrageous misfortune of Rowan's condition. The result is an elegant, affecting narrative that contrives to transform a riverside poo -- Rowan's first controlled bowel movement -- into a triumph of the human spirit. -- Daily Telegraph

In this intense, polished account, the parents of an autistic boy trek to the Mongolian steppes to consult shamans in a last-ditch effort to alter his unraveling behavior.... Isaacson records heartening improvement in Rowan's firestormlike tantrums and incontinence, as he taps into an ancient, valuable form of spirit healing -- Publishers Weekly

Isaacson's journey to heal his son is just that, a healing, not a cure. But he wouldn't want it any other way. While the author's purpose was to draw Rowan out of his autism, he came to realize the overlooked gifts it entails. The Horse Boy will leave readers with a new appreciation for autism and the healing techniques of other cultures; like Rowan, they, too, will be changed forever -- Book Page

A colorful real-life adventure with inspiring results
-- Good Housekeeping

The Horse Boy' is a must read for anyone with an interest in children with autism. It is one of those rare books on autism that is interesting, well written and keeps you turning the pages to learn more... I can't put it down, and it has been about three years since I have honestly been able to say that about any book -- Bright Hub

`A riveting, inspirational journey' Woman and Home
-- Woman and Home

`Amazing, astonishing' Sunday Times -- Sunday Times

`Captivating, incredible, a magical journey, an impossible dream' Telegraph Weekend -- Telegraph Weekend

`It is probably only once in a critical lifetime that one will be moved almost to tears by [such] an account ... the excellence of his writing [creates an] elegant, affecting narrative ... a triumph of the human spirit' Telegraph ***** -- Telegraph

`Magical, miraculous, uplifting' Daily Mail -- Daily Mail

Review:

In this intense, polished account, the parents of an autistic boy trek to the Mongolian steppes to consult shamans in a last-ditch effort to alter his unraveling behavior.... Isaacson records heartening improvement in Rowan's firestormlike tantrums and incontinence, as he taps into an ancient, valuable form of spirit healing

About this edition

• Publisher: Viking
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0670917362
• ISBN 13: 9780670917365
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 336