Horse: 'I loved this book so much' ANN PATCHETT

I'm not sure how best to describe how good this book is. I chose it because I love horses. I didn't expect too much from it as I'm not a fan of horse racing. It's about so much more than horse racing. The book is extremely well written and researched. I've learnt a lot about American equestrian art, the American civil war, anatomy and more. The book gives an insight into the injustices and cruelty of slavery and modern day racism. It also draws the reader to the ethics of horse racing today. It isn't a quick easy read. There is so much to absorb. Having said that the story rattles along at a great pace and had me sitting on the edge of my seat at times. Some of the descriptions off horse racing may be upsetting for some people but it's well worth reading.

The Horse of the title is Lexington, reckoned by those who know about these things to have been the greatest racehorse ever. His career embraced the period before, during and after the Civil War. He was owned by rich white men, trained and ridden by slaves. His story is then very much at the heart of the black American experience. I think the author tells this story well – but the novel has weaknesses.Lexington’s trainer in Horse is Jarrett, a fictional construct based on historical people. The relationship between these two is the heart of the book. Many others in the story, both equine rivals and human characters are exactly as they lived. This is a subject about which I knew nothing, and it was eye-opening.Brooks links this to a modern setting. This too is partly based on fact, being the recovery and restoration of Lexington’s skeleton by the Smithsonian, and a renewed interest in paintings of racehorses in this period. She introduces to us an osteologist, Jess, and a black art historian, Theo. Through them she focuses on racism in modern America. At the risk of seeming callous, these passages of the story are forced and clunky. The assumed premise, that nothing has changed, is unquestioned and not convincing.There are missing elements in the plot, the historical mishaps of the painting are confused, and Brooks introduces material not relevant to her main story. The pages on Jackson Pollock could have been cut, and it kind of felt that Brooks wanted to show what she knew here. There is some attention, but not much, on the ethical question of horse racing.For all that, the basic story is absolutely enthralling.

What an amazing book! I loved this. I learned a great deal about a period of history that I knew little of. Jarret’s story is wonderfully told and the parallel stories all combine to give portrayals of racism through time and different viewpoints. It made me question, and want to question further.

Beautiful writing if you like horses fascinating history of a famous horse

This is an extraordinary story, told in such a captivating way. Very well researched and with such feeling for the horse throughout.

Enjoyable read with great detailing in the story of a topic I was largely ignorant of. Recommend highly to all

An education, a love story and a gleaming historical novel.

I enjoyed many aspects of the core story, which is loosely based on real events. But my overwhelming sentiment on finishing was that i wish i had been able to read a biography by another writer. The fictionalised aspects detracted from the story, too many factual inaccuracies and the ending was very contrived and left a very sour taste for a book that i had initially really enjoyed.

I loved this book. It was so well written, and the story was amazing! I was very hesitant to read a book about a horse! But what a horse (race horse) he was! Every character was fascinating and so interesting. I couldn't put this book down.

Je n'étais pas du tout intéressée par le thème des courses de chevaux, et pourtant, on se plonge tout entier dans le sujet tant il est construit de manière intelligente et captivante. En suivant le parcours des différents personnages qui le composent, dont Lexington, son héros emblématique, on navigue dans deux contextes historiques, celui des années 1850 dans les Etats du sud (esclavagistes) des Etats-Unis aux années post Trump d'aujourd'hui. Le tout est très bien documenté et servi par une belle plume. A lire !

A gripping narrative of race and horselore in America from civil wartime enslavement to contemporary police targeting of young black men, told from the perspective of its protagonists who are not always given a voice. The harsh reality of the lucre that drives horse racing runs parallel to the story of an incredible relationship between a champion thoroughbred and his gifted young black trainer. The contemporary scene lays bare the painful awareness a young woman gains of her own fears and prejudices which are the result of systemic racism in America. Despite the tragedies, this novel is also a beacon of hope, for the possibility of love and of positive societal change. A final observation: the technical detail honed for describing the world of horses, and the study of art and anatomy is truly impressive.

Well researched, well written- such a delight to read after reading some poorly written books. Wove in issues of racism without flooding the story

I loved reading about the history of horse racing and the intricate descriptions of the anatomy of horses. Her historical account of slavery was certainly accurate to portray just how horrible treatment was on some plantations. I thought her characters were very well developed. A great book!