Reviews with content warning for Police brutality - Horse: A Novel

I really struggled with this one. The history is absolutely fascinating and I love the idea of connecting a painting with its origin story. I do think it might have been better as a history book without the fiction, or with another author. She clearly put in work to be real about the race issues but it feels wrong. It feels like overstepping for a white person to write a first person account of American slavery. I recognize it's well researched but the writing is almost like she was overcompensating for being white which then ends up being somehow performative. I wonder if the two POV black characters had to be extraordinary and sophisticated in their talents and manners. And other tropes that would be a spoiler with a dash of white saviorism. Actually more than a dash, because it happens in all 3 timelines.
I don't necessarily hate every book that feels like it kills me a little on the inside. But if it does that it has to be really well written, and this was just not. I had issues with all three timelines. I guess I could have just ended this after saying someone else should have written this book.

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liza101's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious reflective sad 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? No

5.0

The best book I read in 2024. One of my top favourites of the last 5 years.

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doobeedoo's review against another edition

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4.25

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rosalieshyu's review against another edition

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emotional medium-paced

Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

This was a beautiful, well-researched book that bounces between three different time periods. The portions from the 1850s were particularly riveting and detailed. However, I felt the modern sections were much more bland in comparison, both stylistically and plot-wise. Though the ending was emotional (and I love a good cry), I question one of the author's decisions (no spoilers).

As one of the main themes is race, I wonder what the same manuscript would have manifested itself as had it been written by a Black author. Marvelous book, but it left a bit of sadness about what a little added depth could have been.

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