Having been to Kentucky this spring and enjoying horse country, Horse by Geraldine Brooks struck a chord for me.
cover blurb: A discarded painting in a junk pile, a skeleton in an attic, and the greatest racehorse in American history - from different time periods (Kentucky 1850, New York City 1954, and Washington DC 2019), Brooks weaves a sweeping story of spirit, obsession, and injustice.
Her writing is so smooth, her characters are memorable, and I am in awe of her obvious research to create an excellent novel.
Kentucky 1850 An enslaved groom and a bay foal have a bond. The horse proves victorious, but alas has some issues. Follow this story and treatment of an educated black lad grown to adulthood with a magic touch for horses.
Meanwhile NYC 1954 - follow the tale of a nineteenth century equestrian oil painting of mysterious origins.
DC 2019 A Smithsonian scientist and a Nigerian American art historian are connected by a horse. Bones offer clues to the winner's speed and health issues. Art uncovers a story of unsung Black horsemen.
cover blurb: Inspired by the true story of thoroughbred Lexington, Horse is a novel of art and science, love and obsession, and our unfinished reckoning with racism.
I highly recommend this novel. I loved the characters and became very vested in the outcomes as each tale intertwined. Huge thumbs up. And go visit Kentucky for an even greater appreciation of the book's backdrop.
