An action-packed new novel from the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of People of the Book and March. A discarded painting in a junk pile, a skeleton in an attic, and the greatest racehorse in American history: from these strands, a Pulitzer Prize winner tells a sweeping story of spirit, obsession, and injustice across American history Kentucky, 1850. An enslaved groom named Jarret and a bay foal forge a bond of understanding that will carry the horse to record-setting victories across the South. When the nation erupts in civil war, an itinerant young artist who has made his name on paintings of the racehorse takes up arms for the Union. On a perilous night, he reunites with the stallion and his groom, very far from the glamour of any racetrack. New York City, 1954. Martha Jackson, a gallery owner celebrated for taking risks on edgy contemporary painters, becomes obsessed with a 19th equestrian oil painting of mysterious provenance. Washington, DC, 2019. Jess, a Smithsonian scientist from Australia, and Theo, a Nigerian-American art historian, find themselves unexpectedly connected through their shared interest in the horse-one studying the stallion's bones for clues to his power and endurance, the other uncovering the lost history of the unsung Black horsemen who were critical to his racing success. Based on the remarkable true story of the record-breaking thoroughbred, Lexington, who became America's greatest stud sire, Horse is an original ,gripping, multi-layered reckoning with the legacy of enslavement and racism in America.
An action-packed new novel from the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of People of the Book and March. A discarded painting in a junk pile, a skeleton in an attic, and the greatest racehorse in American history: from these strands, a Pulitzer Prize winner tells a sweeping story of spirit, obsession, and injustice across American history Kentucky, 1850. An enslaved groom named Jarret and a bay foal forge a bond of understanding that will carry the horse to record-setting victories across the South. When the nation erupts in civil war, an itinerant young artist who has made his name on paintings of the racehorse takes up arms for the Union. On a perilous night, he reunites with the stallion and his groom, very far from the glamour of any racetrack. New York City, 1954. Martha Jackson, a gallery owner celebrated for taking risks on edgy contemporary painters, becomes obsessed with a 19th equestrian oil painting of mysterious provenance. Washington, DC, 2019. Jess, a Smithsonian scientist from Australia, and Theo, a Nigerian-American art historian, find themselves unexpectedly connected through their shared interest in the horse-one studying the stallion's bones for clues to his power and endurance, the other uncovering the lost history of the unsung Black horsemen who were critical to his racing success. Based on the remarkable true story of the record-breaking thoroughbred, Lexington, who became America's greatest stud sire, Horse is an original ,gripping, multi-layered reckoning with the legacy of enslavement and racism in America.
An action-packed new novel from the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of People of the Book and March. A discarded painting in a junk pile, a skeleton in an attic, and the greatest racehorse in American history: from these strands, a Pulitzer Prize winner tells a sweeping story of spirit, obsession, and injustice across American history Kentucky, 1850. An enslaved groom named Jarret and a bay foal forge a bond of understanding that will carry the horse to record-setting victories across the South. When the nation erupts in civil war, an itinerant young artist who has made his name on paintings of the racehorse takes up arms for the Union. On a perilous night, he reunites with the stallion and his groom, very far from the glamour of any racetrack. New York City, 1954. Martha Jackson, a gallery owner celebrated for taking risks on edgy contemporary painters, becomes obsessed with a 19th equestrian oil painting of mysterious provenance. Washington, DC, 2019. Jess, a Smithsonian scientist from Australia, and Theo, a Nigerian-American art historian, find themselves unexpectedly connected through their shared interest in the horse-one studying the stallion's bones for clues to his power and endurance, the other uncovering the lost history of the unsung Black horsemen who were critical to his racing success. Based on the remarkable true story of the record-breaking thoroughbred, Lexington, who became America's greatest stud sire, Horse is an original ,gripping, multi-layered reckoning with the legacy of enslavement and racism in America.
An action-packed new novel from the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of People of the Book and March. A discarded painting in a junk pile, a skeleton in an attic, and the greatest racehorse in American history: from these strands, a Pulitzer Prize winner tells a sweeping story of spirit, obsession, and injustice across American history Kentucky, 1850. An enslaved groom named Jarret and a bay foal forge a bond of understanding that will carry the horse to record-setting victories across the South. When the nation erupts in civil war, an itinerant young artist who has made his name on paintings of the racehorse takes up arms for the Union. On a perilous night, he reunites with the stallion and his groom, very far from the glamour of any racetrack. New York City, 1954. Martha Jackson, a gallery owner celebrated for taking risks on edgy contemporary painters, becomes obsessed with a 19th equestrian oil painting of mysterious provenance. Washington, DC, 2019. Jess, a Smithsonian scientist from Australia, and Theo, a Nigerian-American art historian, find themselves unexpectedly connected through their shared interest in the horse-one studying the stallion's bones for clues to his power and endurance, the other uncovering the lost history of the unsung Black horsemen who were critical to his racing success. Based on the remarkable true story of the record-breaking thoroughbred, Lexington, who became America's greatest stud sire, Horse is an original ,gripping, multi-layered reckoning with the legacy of enslavement and racism in America.
Last updated at 03/21/2026 12:18:32
Horse: 'I loved this book so much - an important book, gorgeous, full of love' Ann Patchett By Geraldine Brooks
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Horse: 'I loved this book so much - an important book, gorgeous, full of love' Ann Patchett Hardcover – 16 June 2022
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originally posted on booktopia.com.au
I read a lot. Have read all of Geraldine Books and loved them but this book stands out. The historic information and the cleaver way characters are woven into the story at different times in history made the book hard to put down. The details in training the horse and of life at that time in history was like seeing it happen. Outstanding. Descriptions made my heart ache or I was elated with joy at outcomes. So so good.
originally posted on booktopia.com.au
Geraldine Brooks has written a fascinating story about the champion American racehorse, Lexington. She traces the life of the stallion from birth in 1850, through success on the racetrack to retirement as a stud. All this against a backdrop of slavery and the American Civil War. At the same time, she links the history of Lexington with current day research into its articulated skeleton and to several original paintings of the stallion.Many of the characters depicted in the novel were real people involved in the training, ownership and painting of Lexington. Those conducting current day research into the horse are fictional. Geraldine Brooks interweaves their different stories by adroitly switching back and forth between past and present.Importantly, this is not ... MoreGeraldine Brooks has written a fascinating story about the champion American racehorse, Lexington. She traces the life of the stallion from birth in 1850, through success on the racetrack to retirement as a stud. All this against a backdrop of slavery and the American Civil War. At the same time, she links the history of Lexington with current day research into its articulated skeleton and to several original paintings of the stallion.Many of the characters depicted in the novel were real people involved in the training, ownership and painting of Lexington. Those conducting current day research into the horse are fictional. Geraldine Brooks interweaves their different stories by adroitly switching back and forth between past and present.Importantly, this is not just a story about a famous racing horse. The key thread running through the book is about racial inequality and discrimination. The author paints a picture of life for slaves prior to the American Civil War; the inhumane way they were often treated and their absence of human rights. In contrast, racism in the present day is shown to be be more subtle but still pervasive. This theme adds weight and depth to a great yarn.
originally posted on target.com.au
A wonderful book. I knew nothing about horse rearing, racing, the depth of the black slaves involvement in horse racing. The parallel with the modern world makes it so interesting, a book not to be missed. The characters are well defined. The fact that some of the characters and the horse Lexington are based on real characters and events make the story more enjoyable.
| Imprint | Little, Brown |
| Pub date | 16 Jun 2022 |
| DEWEY edition | 23 |
| Language | English |
| Spine width | 40mm |
Horse: 'I loved this book so much - an important book, gorgeous, full of love' Ann Patchett By Geraldine Brooks
Free delivery
Horse: 'I loved this book so much - an important book, gorgeous, full of love' Ann Patchett Hardcover – 16 June 2022
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
I read a lot. Have read all of Geraldine Books and loved them but this book stands out. The historic information and the cleaver way characters are woven into the story at different times in history made the book hard to put down. The details in training the horse and of life at that time in history was like seeing it happen. Outstanding. Descriptions made my heart ache or I was elated with joy at outcomes. So so good.
Geraldine Brooks has written a fascinating story about the champion American racehorse, Lexington. She traces the life of the stallion from birth in 1850, through success on the racetrack to retirement as a stud. All this against a backdrop of slavery and the American Civil War. At the same time, she links the history of Lexington with current day research into its articulated skeleton and to several original paintings of the stallion.Many of the characters depicted in the novel were real people involved in the training, ownership and painting of Lexington. Those conducting current day research into the horse are fictional. Geraldine Brooks interweaves their different stories by adroitly switching back and forth between past and present.Importantly, this is not ... MoreGeraldine Brooks has written a fascinating story about the champion American racehorse, Lexington. She traces the life of the stallion from birth in 1850, through success on the racetrack to retirement as a stud. All this against a backdrop of slavery and the American Civil War. At the same time, she links the history of Lexington with current day research into its articulated skeleton and to several original paintings of the stallion.Many of the characters depicted in the novel were real people involved in the training, ownership and painting of Lexington. Those conducting current day research into the horse are fictional. Geraldine Brooks interweaves their different stories by adroitly switching back and forth between past and present.Importantly, this is not just a story about a famous racing horse. The key thread running through the book is about racial inequality and discrimination. The author paints a picture of life for slaves prior to the American Civil War; the inhumane way they were often treated and their absence of human rights. In contrast, racism in the present day is shown to be be more subtle but still pervasive. This theme adds weight and depth to a great yarn.
A wonderful book. I knew nothing about horse rearing, racing, the depth of the black slaves involvement in horse racing. The parallel with the modern world makes it so interesting, a book not to be missed. The characters are well defined. The fact that some of the characters and the horse Lexington are based on real characters and events make the story more enjoyable.
I was pleased to find that Brooks actually knows about horses and is not afraid to point out the cruelties in exploitative horse racing.Her style is clear, rather than poetic, and the structure is expertly managed. Each chapter begins by plunging the reader directly into an incident, achieving powerful immediacy, though she sometimes has to backtrack to explain.While I commend her tackling racism, by the conclusion, I did feel somewhat hit over the end with the author's message.
Great book, well written plot, certainly kept my interest the whole book.Loved the way Geraldine wrote it in the couple of Times, it definitely made the story very clear.,Loved the descriptions of the Art, and the archaeological discussions and was really moved with theRacist section. Really good book.
This amazing novel is about racism in the USA. From the front cover one would think it was about horses. It's not. It's about slavery in the past and racism in the present day. Superbly written. Hard to put down. Beautiful language and use of metaphor. Subtle. Hard hitting, though not in a traumatic way. An amazing read.
I'm a fan of Geraldine Brooks and this novel, for me, may be one of her best. Like the author, I love history and the history of the famous Lexington is gripping. It is so much more though than the story of the famous race horse. It is about people across three times zones, about a painting -or two - and about the racism experienced and that just never seems to go away."Horse" is one of those stories that I did not want to end. I loved it.
Such a beautiful and beautifully written story deserves to be read by everyone. You don't have to like horses or even know about them to be enveloped by Brooks' magical writing, she does it so well. Impeccable research has led to a most magnificent book . This is one not to miss.
Yet another clever, educational, informative and engaging book from Geraldine Brooks.I could not put this book down and did not want it to end.Amazing how Geraldine has bought together vastly different generations and topics. Ranging from horses and horse racing to slavery, with different age groups and classes of people.My favourite book for the year.
Geraldine Brooks is a master of historical fiction and 'Horse' was an exceptional read. I fell in love with Jarret's character from the beginning and it was truly beautiful to watch his relationship with Lexington grow into such a special bond.Tackling issues of racism, slavery, violence and prejudice, Brooks expertly weaves a tale that spans the centuries and reveals the sad truth that despite the passing years, not much has changed.Meticulously researched, 'Horse' has much to teach about the times in which it's set. I highly recommend a read!
| Imprint | Little, Brown |
| Pub date | 16 Jun 2022 |
| DEWEY edition | 23 |
| Language | English |
| Spine width | 40mm |
