SEASON OF PONIES

The author establishes a tone of realism in the first scene; Pamela's father again drives away, leaving the ten-year-old alone at Oak Farm with his two neurotic spinster sisters. Pamela forgets the familiar emptiness when she hears faraway flute notes and follows the sound. Her summer of sadness transforms into "a season of ponies" — of floating, mystical ponies and of Ponyboy, their young master. It's a singular world of fantasy which the author has constructed of mist, webs, and fresh air. The friendship of Girl (Pamela) and Ponyboy is defined clearly, and the effect of their companionship on Pamela's other, more immediate life seems logical to the reader because of the convincing presentation. Topflight fantasy.