The fairy-tale plot of My Friend Flicka, in which the ugly duckling Ken is transformed by his love for Flicka, is a modern fable. Although set at the time when the Great Depression was ending and World War II was beginning, the story does not deal with social realities, only addressing those of nature and how they affect people. Freed from the specifics of American history and set in an idyllic, isolated environment, the book retains a timeless quality that has helped it endure.

The book has many other literary strengths, prime among them the author's ability to create strong and complex characters. The point of view shifts periodically among these characters: from Ken to his mother and occasionally to his father. Telling much of the story from Nell's point of view adds depth and interest; the tensions between Nell and Rob, as well as their...