Scan barcode
sdamyhill's review against another edition
3.0
Excellent historical fiction, highly recommend. Very well-written. Interesting method of story telling, similar to People of the Book.
turtlesoupy's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.25
lizschmittgens's review against another edition
5.0
Gorgeous writing in a mash up of so many types of stories woven together in this narrative. It’s not a quick read but well worth the effort.
alanadurand's review against another edition
5.0
On the surface: 400+ pages about horses. And yet, in the most pleasant surprise: 5 stars. The level of detail on such a wide breadth of subjects, across hundreds of years, is outstanding. Not a single part felt superfluous. In the very end we learn explicitly that this level of detail was thoughtfully researched and closely narrated to historical truth. The incorporation of race, power, and sexuality during a time when these social issues were ill-considered made the story rich and relevant. It’s told through at least half a dozen narrative lenses, which works well to create a novel that is poignant, dynamic, and unflinching. It IS a story about horses (and horse anatomy and horse training and horse racing and horse art), but it’s even more-so a story about humanity (at least in my humble reading experience of it). Also, it’s a brilliant reminder that everything has an origin - art, people, prejudices, etc. For these reasons and more, I thoroughly enjoyed.
libaiello's review against another edition
5.0
wow!!!! historical fiction is fun. the ending was upsetting and felt forced, but overall very interesting book!
juliemowat's review against another edition
3.0
Excellent writing and characters. I just got bogged down at times
kylelavallie's review against another edition
5.0
Masterful storytelling is written on the cover and it is nothing short of that. A little slow to start, and horse terminology might require a dictionary, but it is definitely one of the best and most eloquently told stories I’ve ever read.
hbdee's review against another edition
5.0
The story of Lexington, the greatest stud sire of the 19th century, is mostly true. The story of his lifelong partner and trainer, Jarett Lewis, is not--not because such a man never existed, but because the 19th century never saw slaves as people, let alone worthy of biographies. Most of racehorsing's trainers in that century were black men, but that reality is only addressed here, popularly, for the first time. (The Compton Cowboys in California continue this long tradition on a local level.)
The modern story of Theo and Jess is entirely fictional, which does little to soften its ultimate horror; it's a story endlessly repeated in the USA, of young black men (AND women, although that's not addressed here) relentlessly murdered by police without consequence.
This is a novel of great heart and important lessons. My condolences to Brooks, whose husband died during its writing.
The modern story of Theo and Jess is entirely fictional, which does little to soften its ultimate horror; it's a story endlessly repeated in the USA, of young black men (AND women, although that's not addressed here) relentlessly murdered by police without consequence.
This is a novel of great heart and important lessons. My condolences to Brooks, whose husband died during its writing.
gtaper's review against another edition
3.0
I was really engaged at the beginning and it really lost steam. I appreciate the authors goals , but I feel like she lost the story