Pony is a historical fiction novel written by R. J. Palacio that was published on 28 September 2021. The novel is set in the American frontier in 1860 and blends the historical elements with magical realism. In the same vein as True Grit and War Horse, the novel is a coming-of-age narrative that follows a young protagonist through an epic quest.
The protagonist, Silas Bird, is a twelve-year-old boy who has to embark on a dicey expedition with the company of a ghost, Mittenwool, and an Arabian pony. This was preceded by an incident involving three strangers taking his father, a bootmaker and photographer, with them on a particular assignment. The pony—which belonged to one of the men— shows up the next morning prompting Silas’s journey into the woods. With the ability to see dead people, he encounters more ghosts and threats in the wild that demand courage and resilience from him.
Publishers Weekly wrote, “The blend of rambling western, scientific, and paranormal elements mixed with lingering questions about Silas’s father’s past will appeal to many as the trio underscores how even unlikely friendships can make for strong bonds.”
