Just Finished Reading: They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? By Horace McCoy (FP: 1935) [121pp] 

1930’s California. On trial for his life, Robert Syverten looks back on the circumstances that got him here. An aspiring director still full of dreams and hopes despite everything else, he finds himself in the company of Gloria Beatty who has given up all hope of becoming an actress or of living a normal life. In the hopes of winning the main prize of $1,000 they decide to join forces and enter a local Dance Marathon. Having to dance, or at least move with only short breaks for as long as it takes isn’t so bad when you consider that they’ll feed you regularly and, if you’re lucky, you might even get sponsored by local businesses who’ll provide clothes and shoes. It’s a pretty sweet deal – IF you can stay on your feet. Robert has a few fans in the audience and even the possibility of a job offer, but Gloria has little interest in being approachable. As their relationship starts to sour an increasing harsh program of ‘elimination’ events start to cull the swaying couples. Can they both stay on their feet long enough to win the prize or will Gloria sabotage everything out of pure spite?

 I have vague memories of the 1969 movie adaptation of this strange little novel so knew something of what to expect. This was in many ways a brutal critique of the Great Depression and the crushing reality of what people will do to survive one more day. It’s also about the absolute loss of hope and what people will do to hasten the end and get it over with. The main characters are very well drawn, and I liked Robert even if he was rather naïve given the circumstances. He certainly wasn’t lucky, that’s for sure! Gloria is a NASTY piece of work whose main reason for living seems to be to ruin other people’s lives because her own is so apparently hopeless. Starting fights with other contestants is the least of her ‘talents’ and (just as we are supposed to) I really didn’t like her although she did elicit some pity which, no doubt, she would’ve thrown back in my face. The venue of the dance hall was very well done and even the organisers – despite making money from the horrible spectacle – seemed to be reasonable men. Overall, despite its very short length, I found this to be very affecting and thought provoking. It certainly offers an interesting perspective on the Depression era. Somewhat depressing (as you might imagine) but well worth a read. Recommended. 

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