Horse: A Novel

The book centers on the famous thoroughbred Lexington. Covers 3 periods: the mid 1800's just before and during the American Civil War when the horse was racing, the 1950's when his portrait became of interest, and 2019 when his skeleton was reassembled for museum display. The people connected to Lexington in each period are well drawn, some from actual history and some embellished. The book is not just about the history of the horse though but man's history.

This book was selected by my book club. I love horses and have a daughter who lives in Lexington KY. These factors added to my interest in this book. I learned much more about Thoroughbred horses from the book as well as the role of black men in the racing industry. Because of the authors great vocabulary, I found myself looking up many words on my Kindle. It was a fascinating story based on many true facts. I think anyone would enjoy reading it.

Terrific book on the greatest American racehorse in the pre-Civil War era, and the people connected with him. The history of the horse (Darley and Lexington are two of the names for him) is chronological, from birth to death, as is that of his (fictionalized) trainer, enslaved Jarrett, and an accomplished equine artist, Thomas Scott. However, this account is interwoven with a dual timeline story about the skeleton of the horse at the Smithsonian Museum showing how it was discovered and studied. Another timeline story about the paintings of the horse could confuse the story, but doesn’t. The dual stories interconnect in a way that makes sense (not always true in dual timeline stories). The author does a superb job of keeping everything straight for the reader.All the story lines are interesting and you learn a lot about horse training and racing, about what a skeleton can tell about the living animal, and more. Because the story takes place mainly in Kentucky in the pre-Civil War era, the story must include a lot about enslavement. The author, who is a well-known white woman from Australia (living in the USA for many years), portrays all the black characters as real, complex figures. She is as sensitive in this portrayal as I reckon a white person can be. I especially enjoyed relationship between Jarrett (Lexington’s trainer) and the horse. They really loved each other. Also the budding romance between the Smithsonian Museum worker and the art history Phd candidate was well done.I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good yarn. It’s well-researched, but reads like a novel ( a really good one). No swearing, minimal grisly violence (only one brief war scene I can think of), and a good romance with no lurid sex scenes. Great for adults who like a complex story with multiple themes and timelines.

Even if you are not a follower or lover of horses this book has everything…history, friendships, the horrors of racial discrimination, love, loss and will leave you wanting more. So much detail and creative writing…it was a joy to read.

What a powerful book. This is not just a book about a horse - the greatest racehorse and sire ever - but about hundreds of years of racism and the ongoing harm it causes.The story is told in two time periods, one contemporary and the other the antebellum South. There are three main characters, the slave Jarret who cares for the horse Lexington, and the researchers Theo and Jess. Jarret is so sympathetic, I ached with every hurt, insult, and indignity he suffered. Theo is so good, so innocent and well-meaning, I ached with every micro aggression, every wrong assumption made about him because of his skin color.The author takes a period that didn’t interest me (antebellum America), and a subject that didn’t appeal to me (horses), and made me care deeply about the people and the horses, many of which - most, more likely - who suffered abuse. The racehorse owners saw the horses as means to an end, not as living creatures with their own feelings and needs.I need to rest after reading this. It was too painful. That said, it was exceptional and I can’t recommend it enough.

The author describes characters black and white with great detail. The chapters are short and flit between modern times and just around the USA Civil War in the 1800s.There are words appropriate for the times and cultures that you may need to look up. The book chronicles the life of one of the best racehorses, Lexington, as a fast runner and virile stud equine.There are unexpected twists. Insights into racial issues both old and new are expertly brought up.I love the pace and observations in this book. You see pictures if slave life, racehorse breeders, museum curators, artists and researchers. Highly recommended for anyone, whether horse mad or history lover.

I was excited to read this book as horses are one of my passions and I enjoy the study of art. I love historical fiction, so it seemed this was right up my alley. This author is an excellent writer and I was fascinated by the story right from the start. The story switches from the past to current times and about a quarter of the way in to the book I started noting references to certain political ideology. I actually stopped reading the book for a time as I prefer my reading choices to be a good escape from reality. After a few weeks, I decided to continue on as it is not my nature to not finish a book, especially a good one. I did not like the ending of the book, but too be fair, most of this book is very good and it covers very interesting topics from which I learned a good bit. I just wish the author hadn’t felt the need weave political perspective into a really good story.

A great historical novel, the result of detailed research. What the author can’t find in detail is fictionalized to superb effect. Modern setting time changes are entertaining, romantic, and full of emotion.