Bolt (A Dick Francis Novel) Mass Market Paperback – May 3, 2005

Another exquisite original story from the master writer. Another book you won't put down until you finish the very last page.

Bolt is the sequel to Break In, and they should be read in order for greatest enjoyment.Both these books contain amazing descriptions of races. Dick Francis portrays so beautifully the ability of Kit Fielding, an inspired jump jockey, to tune into the moods and idiosyncrasies of his mount - and the challenges of the course.Riding to win at breakneck speed, Kit throws caution to the winds, thinking joyfully to himself, "This is living."Kit's patron, the elegant Princess Casilia, stands in need of Kit's drive to win. Her husband Roland de Brescon is in partnership with the Nanterre family, and their venerable old company in France has a high reputation for integrity. When Louis Nanterre dies, their new partner is Henri Nanterre, who turns out to be an unscrupulous money-grubber. He wants to manufacture plastic guns.Roland de Brescon refuses to give his consent to an expansion into gun manufacture. Plastic guns, favored by terrorists, are especially abhorrent. To force his partner's consent, Nanterre begins to wage a terrorist campaign of his own. He will not hesitate to maim or kill to achieve his ends. The princess and her family turn for help to Kit, who has demonstrated his ability to out-maneuver thugs.In the course of the story some of the Princess's horses are killed with a bolt gun (thus the title of the book). Kit is kept pretty busy trying to protect both people and horses, while competing in multiple races and struggling to win back his fiancée's wavering affections.I recommend this book for its lively plot, perfect dialog, admirable protagonist, out-of-control villains - and the life lessons just below the surface.

This book is even better if you enjoyed "Beak In." This book has it all -- horses, races, and, of course, bad guys. Enjoy it.

All his male characters seem to be cut from the same mold. Incredibly brave, courageous, and moral in their own way. His early books are always a pleasure to read.

Quite possibly the very best thing Dick Francis ever wrote, in my estimation.I am supposed to add seven words.

This book is so well done that you root all the way through for the protagonist. Francis was always extremely good at creating likeable characters. When Kit Fielding has solved the immediate problem, late in the book, he realizes that another has presented itself. He rushes to the rescue, but is not in time. How this second mystery is solved is truly reflective of Francis's magic, because the ending is both resonant and truly touching.This is the second of two books starring Kit Fielding, but you do not need to have read the first one, "Break In," to enjoy this. Fielding is one of two heroes that Francis reused, the other being his iconic Sid Halley.I admit to being more than a little pro-Dick Francis. I began reading his books when I was a teenager, and I am now about ready for the gerontologist. His career was long and illustrious for a reason. He and his wife together were a stunning pair of writers.You can never go wrong with Dick Francis. But if you want the real gold, do make sure that his name is the only one listed as author. His son writes "Dick Francis' [title] by Felix Francis" books. They are adequate, but he does not have the gift of creating likable characters that his father did.Dick Francis wrote around 30 novels, so if you've just discovered him, congratulations - you have a lot of good reading ahead of you!

“You must understand,” Greening said, impressing it upon me, “that M. de Brescou is of the ancient regime, from before the revolution. His is a patrician family, even though he himself bears no title. It’s essential to understand that for him personal and family honor is of supreme importance.”(The above is a subtle criticism of modernity. The ''revolution'' refers to the French Revolution. Implicit praise of ''patrician'' values of honor and condemnation of a world that has none. This is the contrast that underlies the drama.)This ''personal and family honor'' is the foundation of the dramatic structure of this work. Great!Both the French 'patrician' and the English 'commoner' have family honor to either fight or protect. Class distinctions are significant. But what are the classes? Inherited titles? Family tradition of hate? Individual choice of justice? Personal desire of cruelty? Free will or cultural control? All these questions, and their answers, presented here. Wonderfully done!''Much more likely that he thought he could put the frighteners quite easily on a paralyzed old man and an unworldly woman and was currently underestimating both the princess’s courage and her husband’s inflexible honor. To a man with few scruples, the moral opposition he expected might have seemed a temporary dislodgeable obstinacy, not an immovably embedded barrier.'' (41)The villain exposed!''although I’d schooled him a few times over practice jumps on Wykeham’s gallops, I hadn’t been able to teach him courage. He went round the whole way letting me know he hated it, and I had difficulty thinking of anything encouraging to say to his owners afterward. A horse that didn’t like racing was a waste of time, a waste of money and a waste of emotion.'' (144)This analysis of a horse lacking courage. Next, his beautiful fiancé . . .“I love you very much,” I said slowly.“Do you want me to give up my job?” “Aunt Casilia said if I asked, and you did, and we married, it would be disastrous. We would be divorced within five years. She was very vehement. She said I must not ask it, it was totally unfair, I would be destroying you because I don’t have your courage.”She swallowed convulsively, tears filling her eyes.Courage that brings honor or fear that creates disgrace? This theme is constant, clear, vivid, and fascinating!

Every book I have read written by Dick Francis (and his son) are fantastic from start to finish! Very. Well. Written! You will enjoy!!

All good great read

Just as described. Very happy with purchase.

現在値引きされていてお買得品です。大分前に読んでいたが、筋はほとんど忘れていたので、新鮮に感じられた。また最近は息子の本を読んでいるので違いがわかり面白さもひとしおでした。やはり元祖フランシスだけあり、ワクワク感言葉のさえ、馬の息遣いなど、一ランク上です。だからといって息子を批判するつもりはなく、読みやすく入りやすい息子の本は価値があり、2代目を名乗れるものです。さて本作はフランスの王室の家系の血筋を継ぐ「王女」の夫の会社に銃器製造を許す契約書にサインをさせるため、Nanterreはあらゆる脅しをかけてくる。これを阻止するため、障害騎手Kitは闘う。これに婚約者Danielleとの関係に悩むところが伏線としてからんでくる。本作は珍しく、主人公が痛めつけられる場面がないところが物足りない気がする。

Dick Francis never fails. I read most of his earlier books about 30 years ago. I am enjoying them no less this time around

Great story