I dislike animal protagonists, so I need a compelling reason to read a book that centers on an animal. What prompted me to pick this one?
1. Because it’s set in Arizona. There are so few books set in my state.
2. The many great reviews.
3. Brighty the burro existed. I’m more interested in animal stories inspired by real-life animals.
4. It’s short, and I figured we could start and finish it during a long road trip I took with my two boys. We did!

Bright Angel is a donkey who lives in the Grand Canyon circa 1910. He befriended an old prospector who nursed him back to health after a porcupine attack. The wise prospector never tried to “own” Brighty, who is wild and spirited. But, the donkey stayed close to the prospector and carried his belongings and shared companionship with him. Brighty wanted to retain his freedom, but he also wanted friendship. The prospector allowed Brighty to have both. This resonated so deeply. Isn’t that the essence of a happy existence? Freedom and friendship!

This backdrop is where the story opens. Brighty and the prospector (called Old Timer) find a vein of copper in the Grand Canyon. This stroke of good luck is quickly followed by bad, and things go from there. The author includes historical figures, such as President Teddy Roosevelt, in the book, and this factual accuracy does result in a plot that isn’t as tight and straight as what we’re used to in modern times. But there’s a lot to like.

I loved the way the Grand Canyon and the Southwest are portrayed. We live in a part of the world where life exists in spite of the many natural elements trying to extinguish it. But Henry does a lovely job of highlighting the many beauties of the high desert.

Overall, this book was a GREAT experience for us. But I had low expectations because, you know, animal protagonist. I wouldn’t want anyone to go into this book with high expectations. It’s relatively quiet and meandering in parts. But it’s a sweet, comfortable book.

I must say that narrator John McDonough is pitch-perfect. He sounds like a lively grandpa telling the story. His cowboy twang added a fun aspect to the dialogue.