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4.17 AVERAGE
4.17 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
This book is not just about a horse. It's about love, loyalty, racism and art. It is beautiful writing, well researched and a fantastic read.
3.5 stars rounded up
‘Horse’ by Geraldine Brooks is a novel brimming with history, tying the narrative of a racehorse and his enslaved trainer in the late 1800s to their legacy being preserved in the modern day. An enthralling blend of historical and literary fiction, the novel paints a distressing and honest picture of the stain of racism throughout generations. The connection of humans through time periods is an interesting way to present a narrative, however, it does present an issue where I found myself enjoying one of the narratives more than the other, primarily due to the modern story feeling more like an accompaniment or addition to the other.
Brooks writes with a confident yet tender voice, and brings her characters to life with empathy and realism – especially a young boy named Jerret, who was born into slavery. His strong bond with his horse Lexington truly was the spirit of this book, and some of the most affecting sections in the narrative for me were watching Jarret grow from a boy to a man alongside this horse, becoming self assured, spirited, and strong. As a black man, Jarret is appraised and utilized solely for his quality as a worker; he is seen as a product. His skills are useful. His body is useful. His dehumanisation is parallel to that of the race horses who are worked to foam and blood on the tracks. I was struck by how horse and human become intertwined, highlighting the degrading treatment they suffered from by the hands of rich and powerful people.
Racism was a key running theme in this book; the white people around Jarret can praise his skills, treat him with sympathy, but they still do not view him as equal. Even the sympathetic painter – Thomas J. Scott – often speaks like he knows what is best for Jarret, as if Jarret does not have the agency to make his own choices. I found that Scott’s perspective added a lot to the past narrative – illustrating the wavering tensions between secessionists and unionists, particularly in the southern states. Lines between being a good man and a bad man become increasingly blurry; how can a ‘good’ man who treats those on his land well, truly be good when he owns slaves, regardless of how ‘good’ their treatment is? It is a gripping story to read, and you are able to engage with it from multiple angles.
This novel stood out to me in its exploration of how both art and science are pivotal in documenting history and ensuring the past is not forgotten. Jess’s studies and work into the restoration of the horse’s skeleton, and Theo’s academic work on the depiction of black groomsmen in American equestrian paintings are both fantastic throughlines to the past story, and show the importance of the humanities in retaining history. The idea that the history of black groomsmen, many of whom were the backbone of the racing industry, can be remembered through their portrayals in art is the strongest part of the ‘modern’ storyline. I loved the way this book dived into equestrian terminology and practices, which made the sections of Jarret taking care of his horse feel meditative and almost healing. The themes of this story linger in you, leaving you feeling angry and disgusted, yet ultimately enriched.
Unfortunately, the rest of this storyline was ultimately what let down this book for me. I never found myself fully engaged in Jess and Theo’s stories, finding Jess’s constant self-flagellation over her whiteness to feel out of place against the brutal and dehumanising systemic racism that Jarret faced as a slave. I knew what compelled and affected me – and it just wasn’t Jess. The novel ending on her perspective felt a little unearned; I would much rather have Jarret's voice be the final lingering note. Theo’s story had some intriguing aspects, living as a black man in America but also coming from financial privilege. Ultimately, by the end he feels less like a main character and more like a vehicle for commentary.
Brooks is a talented writer and evidently cares about the themes she writes with and the stories she draws from. While I feel that there is far more care and interest to be found in the chapters that are set in the past, there is enough of an emotional link between the two storylines that I enjoy the modern addition. I would be interested to read more of Brooks’s work, as her writing stands out to me as full of care, and unique in scope and topic.
‘Horse’ by Geraldine Brooks is a novel brimming with history, tying the narrative of a racehorse and his enslaved trainer in the late 1800s to their legacy being preserved in the modern day. An enthralling blend of historical and literary fiction, the novel paints a distressing and honest picture of the stain of racism throughout generations. The connection of humans through time periods is an interesting way to present a narrative, however, it does present an issue where I found myself enjoying one of the narratives more than the other, primarily due to the modern story feeling more like an accompaniment or addition to the other.
Brooks writes with a confident yet tender voice, and brings her characters to life with empathy and realism – especially a young boy named Jerret, who was born into slavery. His strong bond with his horse Lexington truly was the spirit of this book, and some of the most affecting sections in the narrative for me were watching Jarret grow from a boy to a man alongside this horse, becoming self assured, spirited, and strong. As a black man, Jarret is appraised and utilized solely for his quality as a worker; he is seen as a product. His skills are useful. His body is useful. His dehumanisation is parallel to that of the race horses who are worked to foam and blood on the tracks. I was struck by how horse and human become intertwined, highlighting the degrading treatment they suffered from by the hands of rich and powerful people.
Racism was a key running theme in this book; the white people around Jarret can praise his skills, treat him with sympathy, but they still do not view him as equal. Even the sympathetic painter – Thomas J. Scott – often speaks like he knows what is best for Jarret, as if Jarret does not have the agency to make his own choices. I found that Scott’s perspective added a lot to the past narrative – illustrating the wavering tensions between secessionists and unionists, particularly in the southern states. Lines between being a good man and a bad man become increasingly blurry; how can a ‘good’ man who treats those on his land well, truly be good when he owns slaves, regardless of how ‘good’ their treatment is? It is a gripping story to read, and you are able to engage with it from multiple angles.
This novel stood out to me in its exploration of how both art and science are pivotal in documenting history and ensuring the past is not forgotten. Jess’s studies and work into the restoration of the horse’s skeleton, and Theo’s academic work on the depiction of black groomsmen in American equestrian paintings are both fantastic throughlines to the past story, and show the importance of the humanities in retaining history. The idea that the history of black groomsmen, many of whom were the backbone of the racing industry, can be remembered through their portrayals in art is the strongest part of the ‘modern’ storyline. I loved the way this book dived into equestrian terminology and practices, which made the sections of Jarret taking care of his horse feel meditative and almost healing. The themes of this story linger in you, leaving you feeling angry and disgusted, yet ultimately enriched.
Unfortunately, the rest of this storyline was ultimately what let down this book for me. I never found myself fully engaged in Jess and Theo’s stories, finding Jess’s constant self-flagellation over her whiteness to feel out of place against the brutal and dehumanising systemic racism that Jarret faced as a slave. I knew what compelled and affected me – and it just wasn’t Jess. The novel ending on her perspective felt a little unearned; I would much rather have Jarret's voice be the final lingering note. Theo’s story had some intriguing aspects, living as a black man in America but also coming from financial privilege. Ultimately, by the end he feels less like a main character and more like a vehicle for commentary.
Brooks is a talented writer and evidently cares about the themes she writes with and the stories she draws from. While I feel that there is far more care and interest to be found in the chapters that are set in the past, there is enough of an emotional link between the two storylines that I enjoy the modern addition. I would be interested to read more of Brooks’s work, as her writing stands out to me as full of care, and unique in scope and topic.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
informative
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Misogyny, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault, Grief, War
Minor: Racial slurs, Blood
dark
emotional
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Violence
Could have been 5 stars but the character Theo written by a white author just didn't sit well with me. I believe she did an awesome job with Jarret, but the modern character and his relationship with Jess tried too hard and seemed unbelievable. The history and research in this book, however, was impeccable and I thoroughly enjoyed the historical plots that kept my attention.