"Twice gone to hell and twice returned" (449) is the phrase Nicholas Evans uses to describe Grace's emotional journey in the final chapter of The Horse Whisperer. In fact, Grace's development is an important theme throughout the novel. Pivotal to Grace's development were the two times she went "to hell" after which a critical change can be seen in the girls outlook on life and her relationship with her mother. By breaking up the novel into three smaller sections it is easier to see this progression. Prior to Grace's accident she is indifferent towards her relationship with her mother. After Grace's accident she begins to confront this relationship and to some extent rebuilds it. Later, this relationship is nearly destroyed, but when Grace once again revisits the horror of death, she finally is able to break through and reaches a peace with her mother.

Not much is known of Grace's relationship with her mother near the beginning of the novel, however, a brief background related by Annie does give some insight into the relationship. Annie recalls a conversation between her and Grace in which they are discussing a mother daughter photo shoot:

The final chapter of the book describes Grace's transition into the final stage of maturity and how it finally heals her relationship with her mother. Annie describes Grace's ordeal: "Twice gone to hell and twice returned. She had seen what she had seen and from it gleaned some sad and stilling wisdom that was as old as time itself" (449). The knowledge Grace gained in from these experiences "unlocked a sluice gate in her and for two weeks she wept and poured forth her agony. It might have swept both of them all away. But in the flooded calm of its aftermath, Grace seemed to take stock and decide, like Pilgrim, to survive. In that moment, Grace became an adult" (448). Clearly the second encounter with death helped Grace's transition once again giving her the strength to confront her feelings. Seeing death helps her to finally make the decision to move on with her life, perhaps even to respect it a little more. She is described as finally becoming an adult. The transformation in Grace and Annie's relationship is now solidified and complete.

More importantly however than Grace's willingness to head to that tunnel, is who Grace knows is at the end of it. "Then she heard voices. They were coming from the place where the light was dimmer. She couldn't see who it was but she knew one of the voices was her mother's." (77) Grace can't see her mother, but she chooses to head towards her voice anyway. With no way of actually knowing what awaits her, Grace has chosen to trust her mother's voice and symbolically her mother. Thus begins a long, difficult healing process between the two, which may not be apparent at first as Grace fights to hold on to her former state of mind.

'Because you're you. You're incredible. You're beautiful and you're strong. And you're the bravest person I've met in my whole life.'

Indeed at first it seems as though Grace may be reverting to her old state of mind. She tries constantly to hurt Annie as is shown during the scene outside of the Little Big Horn memorial. Still something in Grace makes her realize what she's doing to her mother isn't right. This feeling builds up until a point after the Bookers eat dinner with Annie and Grace, and Annie finds out that Grace had been out riding with Joe. Annie speaks to Grace later that evening:

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Approximate Word count = 1593
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)