WINNER OF PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY

BOOKLIFE PRIZE QUARTERFINALIST

 

A gripping memoir of self-discovery, Blind Pony chronicles the extraordinary journey of a runaway teen who transforms into a new identity while navigating the treacherous landscape of 1970s Los Angeles. Escaping an abusive home life on her Pennsylvania family farm, 14-year-old Samantha Hart embarks on a cross-country search for her estranged father, only to find that the lights of Hollywood hide shadows far darker than she imagined.

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Desperate to outrun her past, Sam plunges into a world of drugs, decadence, and wealth, where a chance encounter with a wealthy playboy sets her life spinning in a new direction. Mistaking her Pittsburgh accent for British, he unwittingly gives birth to a new identity, propelling Sam into a whirlwind of international adventures, champagne parties, and sexual explorations. With a portfolio of nude photos and an unbreakable spirit, she is determined to make her mark on the world as Samantha Hart.

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Blind Pony is more than just a tale of survival; it is a testament to the power of perseverance and the indomitable human spirit of a vulnerable teenager alone in the world, trying to become an adult. As Samantha navigates the precarious terrain of her new life, she grapples with the ultimate question: Will she succumb to the temptation to give up, or will she rise above the circumstances life has dealt her and seize the reins of her destiny?

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