Great stories take you on an unforgettable journey and the impassioned ones make you believe in the power of love, faith and courage. Topanga Canyon: Fire Season is one such transformational tale which startles your emotions while being gentle in its approach. It begins with a teenager who has been forced away from his home and has to settle into a new life at his grandfather’s ranch. The equestrian life tests him relentlessly while he is fixed on going back to the home that never was. The compassion he could not find in humans meets him in the form of horses. Matt’s journey of resilience and determination stands greater than the misfortunes of life.
In this book, Barbara Bryan explores the themes of dysfunctional family, the complexity of relationships, adaptation amidst chaos and animal cruelty. As the story progresses, we also get to know about Native American culture and its spiritual dedication to Mother Nature.
The story revolves around Matt and his evolving relationship with people at the ranch and his quest to find solace. Matt, a 15-year-old boy, has faced emotional and physical abuse at the hands of his mother and her boyfriend, while his father died in the war before he could see him. Susan, Matt’s mother, is a drunkard. She sees Matt as a burden stopping her from achieving her dreams. Because he reminds Susan of her late husband, she hates Matt and shows no motherly love. Rather than standing up against her boyfriend, she blames Matt when he beats him. She sent him to her father’s ranch by lying to him. At the ranch, Matt is frustrated with endless chores and constantly tries to contact his mother to take him back but always in vain.
His grandfather, Silas, is cold and strict. But Matt does find a caring companion in Esmerelda, the cook and housekeeper, who has Native American ancestry and preserves her traditions with utmost enthusiasm. Unlike anyone else, she looks after Matt’s wounds and interacts with sympathy.
Round-the-clock work and longing for home, Matt’s sufferings engulf you and leave you feeling pity for him. The author writes in straightforward action which keeps the flow tight and transports the reader into the story. You feel all the highs and lows with the character whether it’s anxiety, relief, resentment or happiness.
Suffering from abandonment by his mother, Matt finds solace in Black Water, a magnificent stallion. Black Water is more understanding of Matt’s sadness than any human in his life. The bond intensifies as he and the horses at the ranch grow fond of each other day by day.
He also meets with Ariel, who is of the same age as him and is a horse-riding trainee. She happens to be Ms Muriel Spotswood’s niece, a known name in the Walking Horse Community and well-acquainted rival to Silas. Matt finds a much-needed friend and support in Ariel.
The plot unfolds elegantly with patience and gives due space to each character and side story. Matt often confides in George Goodsky, Silas’ old fellow who does accounting for the ranch. He supports Matt during the most challenging times at the ranch. Their trustful bond is filled with wholesome moments.
Matt gets to know that the ranch is facing financial constraints as the relationship with his grandfather becomes less tense. Robert Sinclair, a street-smart and cunning gambler, leases a part of the ranch and hires Matt to look after his horses. Just when Matt has found his home among horses, he discovers the cruel and unethical methods Sinclair uses to keep the winning streak.
The writing from here becomes suspenseful and thrilling. Matt’s desperation and helplessness weave the tension as the plot keeps moving. He continuously tries to get his elders’ and seniors’ attention to Sinclair and his wrongful treatment of horses but gets ignored in the name of naivety. Matt and Ariel share the same concern but are unable to find any way out. The swift writing keeps you guessing if Matt will be able to save the horses or not.
The gripping story infuriates you, makes you anxious but never bores you. The plot keeps you on the edge with Matt’s resilience and his efforts to save the horses from Sinclair. You become completely engaged and the plot keeps thrusting staggering twists. The chapters unfolding bring forth the complexities of humans and their relationships.
The most layered and complex character is Silas, Matt’s grandfather, who is too layered to just dismiss as a strict ranch owner. He is not affectionate towards Matt but he does care for him. He has lost his dear wife and is giving everything to preserve the legacy of the family ranch. Silas is burdened with his secrets and despair. He comes across as a good friend and owner who cares for horses but his cold demeanor keeps an emotional gap between him and Matt.
Silas’ relationship with his daughter and Matt’s mother Susan is also not problem-free. They are distant as Silas disapproves of her singing ambitions and she only approaches him for favors, financial or otherwise. There is a sense of generational trauma which is affecting Matt as well. He does show love for Matt but in desperate times. It is difficult to like Silas but it’s equally hard to hate him.
Barbara Bryan’s writing is not burdened with hard-to-grasp literary prose, but it is simple in demeanor and provides space for the reader’s understanding and imagination. The dialogue and tone communicate the characters’ psyche with precision. The plight of horses has been shown with such honesty and caution that sympathy for the innocents arises instinctively while reading. The treatment of Matt’s journey and its confluence with the sad state of horses is what puts you on an emotional rollercoaster.
While the book deals with many themes such as emotional and physical abuse, abandonment, animal cruelty, and Native American traditions, it lags somewhere in saturating the connection between these. The foreshadowing works well, but sometimes it becomes too obvious to excite the reader. While the simplistic style of writing is captivating, there is still room for more creative treatment of certain characters. Some sub-plots could have been explored more rather than leaving them midway without providing satisfying conclusions. Despite this, the book is a great page-turner and winsome.
The novel is also a well-suited commentary on animal cruelty and abuse. The age-old tactics used by horse owners to win trophies damage the horses physically and emotionally. Amidst this, it is heartwarming to read about the pure bond of love and care which can be formed between humans and horses. The writing justifies both sides of the coin with great authenticity. The disturbing scenes have been treated with consideration and caution. For the emotions of sympathy it evokes, this book is a soul-stirring experience.
If emotive tales and complex relationships interest you, then you are in for a treat with this book. And if you are fond of horses or the equestrian lifestyle, this book is a must. Animal lovers can go for this novel without a second thought.
Topanga Canyon: Fire Season will leave you in awe of the journey a person can fulfill with courage, resilience and love for others in their heart. It is a mosaic of relationships and feelings a person experiences in their quest for solace in life.
“Discover the gripping tale of courage, compassion, and the fight against cruelty in ‘Topanga Canyon: Fire Season’ by Barbara Bryan. Available on Amazon now – a must-read for those who love compelling stories with a powerful message.”
Also Read: An Interview with Barbara Bryan, Author of ‘Topanga Canyon: Fire Season
