The Black Stallion Critical Essay | Critical Essay by Marjorie Burger

Critical Essay by Marjorie Burger

Since the appearance in 1941 of Walter Farley's first book, "The Black Stallion," readers have been clamoring for more and more of his thrilling horse tales. ["The Black Stallion's Filly"] is certain to run nose to nose in popularity with its predecessors.

The black stallion's first daughter, Black Minx, pulls many a trick on her trainer and owner…. [In] the five months between her purchase and the Kentucky Derby, they succeed in changing her from a spoiled filly into [a] classic racer…. Derby Day finally arrives when "anything can happen." Something does happen which makes the book exciting reading right up to its very last period.

Marjorie Burger, "Black Minx" in The New York Times Book Review, Part II (© 1952 by The New York Times Company; reprinted by permission), August 31, 1952, p. 12.