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A review by lindseymorrow
Horse by Geraldine Brooks
1.0
Idk if I’ve ever rated a book so low, but I am doing so in hopes that if anyone black is on the fence of reading this book my review can sway your decision. Spoilers below, but I’ll start with a general review:
In in general, I think that books that jump between the past, and the present tend to have stronger performance with one or the other, with most having a stronger story in the historical portion and this book definitely fits that trend. This would’ve been a much stronger book if it was Jarret/Lexington’s story and stuck with the well-researched historical fiction.
Immediately, it was obvious to me something was off about Theo’s chapters so I looked up with background of the author. I’m not necessary the person who thinks people shouldn’t write stories about backgrounds different than theirs but it was glaring that the book wasn’t written by someone who could accurately depict the inner mind of a black man in today’s age. I was still accepting of this until he is randomly murdered by police at the end. I have never been so pissed at such a violent and unnecessary plot point. And then have to have the resolution from Jess’s POV was just insult to injury. I cannot believe so many people rate this book so highly and will have suspicions about anyone who does. I can’t believe this book has me siding with other low reviews saying it was too woke,but using the unjust reality of black men in America as a plot twist is disgusting.
In in general, I think that books that jump between the past, and the present tend to have stronger performance with one or the other, with most having a stronger story in the historical portion and this book definitely fits that trend. This would’ve been a much stronger book if it was Jarret/Lexington’s story and stuck with the well-researched historical fiction.
Immediately, it was obvious to me something was off about Theo’s chapters so I looked up with background of the author. I’m not necessary the person who thinks people shouldn’t write stories about backgrounds different than theirs but it was glaring that the book wasn’t written by someone who could accurately depict the inner mind of a black man in today’s age. I was still accepting of this until he is randomly murdered by police at the end. I have never been so pissed at such a violent and unnecessary plot point. And then have to have the resolution from Jess’s POV was just insult to injury. I cannot believe so many people rate this book so highly and will have suspicions about anyone who does. I can’t believe this book has me siding with other low reviews saying it was too woke,but using the unjust reality of black men in America as a plot twist is disgusting.