Horse: A Novel

The story about the horse was fascinating - Theo's demise was an unfortunate add-on.

The story is based on fact and though its a good one, the writing could be better. There are several narrators and some are plodding.

Book was great but the culmination of connecting plots was a bit weak.

I came so close to being 100% about “Horse,” totally held by its characters, eras - and LIVINGSTON. However, near the end, the author’s choice relating to Theo felt obvious, almost as if she was trying too hard to be timely. This disappointed me in a book I otherwise admired very much.

I very much enjoyed this book. Great story telling. Gives one A very small insight into slavery in America.

HORSE was extremely well researched and written. The interplay between past and present is powerful and drives the story. The author initially focuses on a modern day investigation that starts with in a particular horse’s skeleton articulation by Jess, an osteology prep lab manager at a museum in Maryland, and Theo, a journalist/writer and PhD art history candidate. They both end up having a reason to investigate a 19th C top-of-the-line race horse, Darley (later Lexington), and his groom (actually horse whisperer and trainer) Jarret, a Black slave (until the end of the story). HORSE points out how slavery affected the lives of exceptional Blacks, who could have contributed so much more to a young nation but were considered to be less than a person thus their talents were discounted over and over again until Whites were forced to see the real person who was called and treated as a “slave.” Theo’s story ends with racism raising its ugly head again in this historical novel’s ending.

What an incredible historical novel. I just loved it. The story grips you from the very start and never lets you go. I highly recommend this book as my dear friend did to me. Really appreciate the authors notes at the end that wraps it all up. Don’t miss this one.

Great novel- cruelty factor made me put it away once or twice

I am a tough critic and this book was captivating and varied and touching and real. Such a clever interweaving of several themes.

Out standing writer!!

Great listen!

The best thing I can say about any book… I learned something. I learned about horses, horse racing, American genre painting, zoological archaeology. But most of all, I Learned how deeply racism is embedded into our history and culture. It was disturbing, but I appreciated the awakening.

I was fascinated with and gripped by this book. I loved how it all wove together.

This was an enjoyable book, written by someone who knows horses. As a horsewoman myself, it's difficult to read books involving horses written by authors who don't know their subject matter. It was an interesting history of American south & culture as well. Something I'm less familiar with. The interspersed time frames makes for a good story. The sprinkle of politics can be ignored- although she does have some very good points about black life in America.

I enjoyed the story overall, but I felt like I could tell which parts were based on fact and which were just made up for interest. Therefore, it kindof fell flat for me.

I love her writing and this did not disappoint. I was drawn in immediately, the deft way she ties in generations, culture, art, history, prejudice and makes every piece so alive.

Stunning and captivating! One of my all time favorites. Brilliant narration.

Enjoyed the story

I thought the book and the stories within connected very well. I applaud the author's ability to show us exactly how lethal racism exists and affects people daily in the US through Theo's story. My favorite aspect, however, was the relationship between Jarret and Lexington-absolutely beautiful and totally realistic.

Gripping story; the various narrators were all excellent.

Pulled you in instantly and kept you wanting to find out century to century Geraldine Brooks is a marvelous storyteller basing her books on the foundation of truth and reality Horse was just another Geraldine Brooks masterpiece

I enjoyed the book all along but felt the choice for Theo’s character was a predictable modern twist on the oppression of blacks in America.

This truly a great read. - wonderfully written about a myriad of topics.

Always enjoy Geraldine Brooks!

there aren't any words for this one it was awesome capital letters awesome that is the best book I have read this year. please make it into a movi

I wanted to love this book so much and I know I will if I read the book. I just couldn’t get pass the narrator’s voice. It bothered me because I had a hard time understanding her.

I came from a background with horses and my father trained Thorobreds. This was a very accurate portrayal of care and training of blood horses. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. When I read of the struggles of blacks in the south and enormous injustices they suffered, it reminds me of how fortunate i was by being born white, born in the west, into the family that i had even though we struggled at times, and especially born in the era that I was. That said, we all still have a lot of work to do as humans… A very well done book.