Description
Ian Sherry’s new book, Do Nothing Sudden – Do Nothing Rash, is treasure.
On the surface it is one man’s account of selecting a young horse and training it for useful purpose. Next layer down, it’s an Irishman’s poetic tale, navigating time, place and need to the front porch of best outcome. Third layer down, it’s a blanket of kindness, and direction.
I say it is treasure for these reasons: First there is the dancing, familiar lane-path light of this book, then the rhythm and the warmth, then comes the raw peculiar and particular usefulness, concluding with its remainder, which holds and holds until it marks this place it would hold.
For me this little book is an enchantment well etched. An honest, gentle man set down, with floating, fibrous and barehanded prose, this charming and echo-rich story of his union with one wondrous young Cob horse.
One who captures in the written word the tonal truth of passage, the shorter the tale – the smaller the story – the better, is the most companionable of poets. To any reader who would slow to drink in these words comes the gift of a friendship of abiding impact.
I have read it many times, it is a book that wears well, but more important for me it is a book I choose to wear. – Lynn R. Miller
