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"They Shoot Horses, Don't They?" is a classic novel written by Horace McCoy, first published in 1935. The story is set during the Great Depression and follows the lives of several characters who become entangled in a marathon dance contest in Los Angeles. The contest offers a large cash prize to the couple who can dance the longest, and the participants are willing to do whatever it takes to win, including pushing their bodies to the brink of exhaustion and engaging in devious tactics. The novel's protagonist, Robert Syverten, is a young man who dreams of becoming a film director. He meets Gloria Beatty, a disillusioned woman who has lost faith in life and sees the dance contest as a way to end her misery. As the contest progresses, the characters are subjected to physical and emotional torture, and the line between reality and illusion becomes increasingly blurred. McCoy's novel is a powerful exploration of the human condition, revealing the darker side of the American Dream. The characters are complex and flawed, and their struggles are both heart-wrenching and thought-provoking. The author's writing style is sparse and direct, creating a sense of urgency and tension that keeps the reader engaged until the very end. "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?" is a novel that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt trapped by their circumstances or struggled to find meaning in a seemingly meaningless world. It is a classic work of American literature that continues to captivate readers with its raw emotion and unflinching honesty. Whether you're a fan of historical fiction, psychological thrillers, or character-driven narratives, this novel is sure to leave a lasting impression...
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