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Horse
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
A discarded painting in a junk pile, a skeleton in an attic, and the greatest racehorse in American history: from these strands, a Pulitzer Prize winner braids a sweeping story of spirit, obsession, and injustice across American history Kentucky, 1850. An enslaved groom named Jarret and a bay foal forge a bond of understanding that will carry the horse to record-setting victories across the South. When the nation erupts in civil war, an itinerant young artist who has made his name on paintings of the racehorse takes up arms for the Union. On a perilous night, he reunites with the stallion and his groom, very far from the glamor of any racetrack. New York City, 1954. Martha Jackson, a gallery owner celebrated for taking risks on edgy contemporary painters, becomes obsessed with a nineteenth-century equestrian oil painting of mysterious provenance. Washington, DC, 2019. Jess, a Smithsonian scientist from Australia, and Theo, a Nigerian-American art historian, find themselves unexpectedly connected through their shared interest in the horseone studying the stallions bones for clues to his power and endurance, the other uncovering the lost history of the unsung Black horsemen who were critical to his racing success. Based on the remarkable true story of the record-breaking thoroughbred, Lexington, who became Americas greatest stud sire, Horse is a gripping, multi-layered reckoning with the legacy of enslavement and racism in America.
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Susanita
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
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To say my reading has fallen off the past several days would be an accurate statement. 😳

Be that as it may, I‘m pivoting to Horse today ahead of tonight‘s book club meeting. It‘s good so far!

I bailed on Starling House. It just wasn‘t working for me. With seven weeks left in the year, I do expect to finish the rest of these plus some others. My Goodreads goal is 80 and I‘ve read 74 to date.

#TenBeforeTheEnd

ChaoticMissAdventures ✅ great job. It is a difficult time of year and a difficult time in general for a lot of people to concentrate on much. 1w
Ruthiella You can do it! 💪 1w
Suet624 Best wishes on your goal. Horse is supposed to be great! 1w
BookmarkTavern Good luck! 1w
40 likes4 comments
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Kboltz
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
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Pickpick

Kept seeing this and resisted reading it. Saw someone said how they were learning and made myself pick up the paperback. 🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎. Art history, equine science, horse racing in the antebellum South, 3 timelines and a bit of a romance…Loved this Read. Not a horse person but now I am closer to being one. Based on the stud Lexington.

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REPollock
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
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Pickpick

Wow, what a ride! I perhaps wouldn‘t have picked up this novel just based on a blurb or plot synopsis, but I know the author writes books I love to read and this one is no exception. My heart was captured by the characters, humans and horses. Highly recommended although not for the faint of heart—brutal treatment of humans and horses.

Deblovestoread Love the quilt! 3mo
REPollock @Deblovestoread thank you! My aunt made it from worn out clothes. It‘s huge! Like longer than a bed. 3mo
20 likes2 comments
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Kgaudiuso
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
Mehso-so

If you are looking for a dramatic book with lots of twists and turns…this is not it. While an interesting story, it was one I mustered through rather than being excited to read.

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Kshakal
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 🐎 🖤📚 4mo
Eggs Great cover 🤎 🐎 💚 4mo
34 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Karisimo
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
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Couldn‘t pass up this one by a must-read author for me! #coverlove #horse

@Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Eggs Perfect 💛🐎🧡 4mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks So pretty 😍 4mo
35 likes2 comments
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behudd
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Expertly researched & written, I really enjoyed this! Brooks is a master at weaving a story through so many timelines - this one set in 1850, 1950, & 2019 - and five different narrators. The 5 readers who made up the audiobook were excellent, too.
I knew nothing about the history of horse racing, the horse Lexington, or all the lost stories of the Black trainers, grooms, & jockeys of the USA‘s antebellum time period.
Definitely recommend!

44 likes1 stack add
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behudd
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
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TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 6mo
30 likes1 comment
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NikkiCureton
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
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Pickpick

I only like the idea of horses in real life, but this Horse and the other characters, particularly Theo and Jarret, tugged at my heartstrings and brought tears to my eyes. Who knew the story of a horse (Lexington) would have such an impact on me? This is a story about horse racing and race in America, and it is extremely well done. The book is both sad and triumphant in turns, and I thoroughly enjoyed the tale. 🐎🎧

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Readerann
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
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Pickpick

Great story, stellar writing, and interesting. characters. Historical fiction at its best. 5*
ETA: the audio was excellent

24 likes2 stack adds
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SanjanaGhosh
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
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Pickpick

Making the most of the daily commutes!

This was such a delightful read, had no idea this was based on a real horse until the very end!

H for A to Z challenge!

36 likes1 stack add
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CrowCAH
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
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The author of the tagged book will be discussing with PBS Books her book Horse 🐴

January 31, 2024, 8pm

If you have a Facebook, here‘s the link to the event https://facebook.com/events/s/pbs-books-readers-club-horse-a/1552134388661481/

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Scochrane26
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
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Pickpick

Littens—I finally finished Horse!! After picking it for my church book club a few mths ago, I read about half, skimmed ahead a bit, & let my mom read it because our library didn‘t have enough copies.
I really enjoyed this story, esp since I live near Lexington, Ky. I learned new things about horse racing & the horse, Lexington. My book club have all been interested in learning more & need to go see the museum soon. #doublespin for October

Scochrane26 I got my mom to buy the NF book about Lexington for me for Christmas. 13mo
31 likes1 comment
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HettyG
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
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Pickpick

I enjoyed learning what this book has to teach, I had no previously knowledge of this subject at all! I‘m looking forward to reading more of this author.

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BkClubCare
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
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Pickpick

🐎 📚 🏆

The novel Horse was selected for the 2023 Anisfield-Wolf Literary Award. Looking through prior year‘s winners reveals many excellent fiction experiences which I was excited to see I had read — and now am eager to read the ones I have still on my yet-to-read list.

The audiobook for Horse was well done, probably due to having 4 narrators involved. I thought the interwoven storylines, across decades, involving art 🖼️ history & ⬇️

BkClubCare Horse anatomy and medicine, interestingly enough, was amazing. I was struck. Totally impressive historical fiction. And includes important reminders that we have much to learn about race and human respect. This isn‘t politics; it‘s decency. (edited) 1y
Suet624 Thank you for link to the awards. I had never heard of this group. 14mo
BkClubCare @Suet624 - me, neither! I enjoyed learning more about it. 14mo
43 likes4 comments
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BarbaraJean
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
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Pickpick

This is the second book I've read by Geraldine Brooks, and it won't be the last! I'm impressed by how she weaves together several storylines, both historical and present day, bringing together common themes and making topics I'm not that interested in completely fascinating. Horse racing in the antebellum South is not a topic that prompts me to pick up a book (which is one reason this languished in my Libby queue for so long)… ⤵️

BarbaraJean (Cont‘d)…but this pulled me in and I grew to care deeply about the characters she draws here. The multiple storylines, even the more minor threads, still feature a depth of detail and characterization that's compelling. (This is from my #AuldLangSpine list from @Karisimo - I‘m still pulling great reads from your picks!) 1y
BkClubCare Horse is my 4th book by Brooks and I highly rec The Year of Wonders. She‘s terrific. 1y
46 likes2 comments
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BarbaraJean
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
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“We suffered enough on account of slavery already. I don‘t plan on laying my life down to end it. You folk who made this mess, I reckon you owe us to clean it up.”

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BkClubCare
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
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On a Labor Day 2023 Road Trip! #KansasMissouri Just finished #BookClub book: Going Zero, starting Horse for #ToFavorites2023

tpixie Safe driving! 1y
BkClubCare @tpixie - thank you. Your affirmation worked! We are back home safe & sound. 🙏 1y
tpixie @BkClubCare perfect! ( I live in Hutchinson KS!) (edited) 1y
See All 14 Comments
BkClubCare @tpixie - Did I know that?! I know one of the Littens I follow is in Lawrence (whom?!) and @marleed is in KC. Sounds like LitsyMeetup in our future? I‘m game. 1y
tpixie @BkClubCare sounds like a great idea! We did have a meet up in KC years ago at a library. I‘m not certain how many people are still active but I may have an old list. @Daisey is outside of KC, MO 1y
Daisey @tpixie @BkClubCare I love the idea of another KC Litsy meet up! 1y
tpixie @Daisey 🌺 1y
tpixie We used #KCLitsyMeetUp It was 5 years ago! 1y
BkClubCare @tpixie @Daisey - I was in RI 5 years ago; my excuse. This time? 🥴 I always love the idea but truthfully have commitment issues. How do we make it happen? 1y
tpixie @BkClubCare I‘m going out of town the middle of next week for about 10 days. If I get a chance before hand, I‘ll round up a list of attendees to tag to see who all may want to come. The trick will be trying to figure out where to do it in Kansas City. I‘ve got a bunch of birthdays in October so it have to be early November before the holidays or sometime after. (edited) 1y
BkClubCare @tpixie - yes, my November is full already! Let‘s ease into a 2024 idea? 💡 1y
tpixie @BkClubCare maybe Spring 2024- better driving weather! 1y
tpixie @BkClubCare yes!! ( I don‘t know how I missed this response!) 13mo
45 likes14 comments
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Sresendez12
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
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Listening to the ocean while reading a book. There‘s truly nothing better

Soubhiville Heaven! 1y
wanderinglynn Lovely! 🌊 1y
ShelleyBooksie Beautiful 1y
SassyBookworm Best place to read! 😎🏖️ 1y
38 likes4 comments
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mom_of_4
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
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Reading this for a book club. So far its interesting.

34 likes1 stack add
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Judybskt
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
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1. Tagged
2. I started a book of short stories in February 2021 that I‘m still reading.
3. My family

@Eggs #wondrouswednesday

Eggs 🩷💜💙 1y
11 likes1 comment
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HeatherBookNerd
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
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Mehso-so

Unpopular opinion here, but I have mixed feelings. Obviously a lot of excellent research and interesting ideas here with horse racing, race, and science, etc. but it was so ridiculously long-winded, the ending was wrapped up clumsily and hastily, and the race issues were presented with so little nuance. Just felt like I should be wowed, and I just wasn‘t.

lisakoby Not her best. People of the Book was very good though. 1y
37 likes1 stack add1 comment
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bookandbedandtea
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
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I'm a bit late to this party (as usual!) but here are my best books of the year so far. #2023readingbracket
May vs June was pretty must a toss up between TMTSOT&L and Swan Light.

dabbe It's never too late to share your books! 🤩😍🤗 1y
31 likes2 comments
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OutAndAbout
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
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Pickpick

A story of a boy & his horse, laced with historical facts, tinged with racial tension, & complemented by strong characters. The weaving together of different factual events - a painting recovered from the curb, the rediscovery of a horses skeleton, the death from a car wreck of a famous painter - all so skillfully researched & embellished. From the afterword, “this novel could not merely be about a racehorse, it would also need to be about race.”

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DivineDiana
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
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Pickpick

A beautifully written story of the real life race horse, Lexington and his relationship with his groomer, trainer and best friend, Jarrett, a Black slave in the South. This is a painting of the record-breaking thoroughbred that is at the Smithsonian Institution, painted by Thomas J. Scott in 1857. Well researched, the author moves between the past and modern times to tell how racism was a part of horse racing and how it continues in America now.

Suet624 I love books like this. I‘d already stacked it but your review would have inspired to. 1y
DivineDiana @Suet624 As do I! Geraldine Brooks is a favorite author. I hope you are able to read it soon! ❤️ 1y
Traceymclean It's on my list too! Thanks for the review. 1y
DivineDiana @Traceymclean Great! I hope you enjoy it! ❤️ 1y
57 likes1 stack add4 comments
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rebbyj
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
Pickpick

Great story. Shit ending

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PaperbackPirate
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
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Pickpick

This week I read Horse. This historical fiction novel weaves important American horse racing history together with a story of devotion and love while addressing race and racism. This was my first by Brooks and I will definitely be reading more by her.
🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎
📚 Book 2/14 for #14Books14Weeks2023
🐎 Enjoy the Belmont Stakes today if you‘re watching!
🐴 Photo taken last weekend with a bronze sculpture called War Pony by Allan Houser.

PaperbackPirate Thank you for the recommendation @megnews ! 📚 1y
58 likes2 comments
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DivineDiana
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
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Three chapters in and already falling under the spell of this exquisite writing. Wishing that I could just read all day.

GatheringBooks I feel the exact same sentiment: the wish to read all day. 💕💕💕 1y
Crazeedi I've been waiting to get my hands on this! 1y
See All 6 Comments
DivineDiana @Crazeedi It‘s my IRL book club pick for next month. Some members felt it was next to impossible to get from the Library, but somehow I succeeded! 1y
Crazeedi @DivineDiana my hold is like 16 weeks! 1y
DivineDiana @Crazeedi I attended my Book Club meeting today ( the one before Horse) and the woman sitting next to me said it was a longer wait list for her. She decided to buy the Kindle book. (edited) 1y
69 likes4 stack adds6 comments
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Sarahreadstoomuch
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
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Pickpick

I had no idea what this was about, but I listened to it because it was so highly recommended. I also had never read Brooks before…. But woah. This was absolutely fascinating and so well written! I was nervous about multiple narrators, but it was so well handled…. And the research that had to have gone into this! I‘m blown away.

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TorieStorieS
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
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Pickpick

Wow!! I loved Brooks‘ past novels, but this one may be my favorite! Centered around Lexington, once considered to be the world‘s best racehorse, Brooks reveals the horse‘s life & legacy. 2019 tracks the rediscovery of the horse‘s skeleton & authentication of a junk-picked painting, the 1950s covers another painting in the hands of a collector & in the 1850s, the life of the horse. Heartbreaking & engaging- this is more than a story of a horse!

46 likes1 stack add
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Kshakal
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
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Pickpick

This book hooked me from the very first page and kept me hooked until the very last! Such a solid historical fiction book about a topic I know very little about! Highly recommend!!

JanuarieTimewalker13 Stacking!! 1y
Sarahreadstoomuch Listening to this now…. And really enjoying it! 1y
42 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Branwen
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
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Happy Friday, Litsy peeps! 🎉🎉🎉 I hope everyone has a fun and exciting bookish weekend to look forward to! 💕📚 I'm really happy to FINALLY be starting this one today! I love Geraldine Brooks (The People of the Book was SO GOOD!) and I'm finally ready to dive into this one! #catsoflitsy #chaplin

RaeLovesToRead Chapliiiiiiin 💕💕💕💕💕💕 2y
jlhammar Happy Friday! I also love Geraldine Brooks. This was one of my favorite reads last year. Hope you enjoy! 2y
Branwen @RaeLovesToRead Chaplin loves new books! 😻 @jlhammar Ooooh I'm so glad to hear that! I can't wait to sink my teeth into it! 😍💕 2y
54 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Kshakal
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
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My reading buddy tonight! #catsoflitsy

wildwoodreads So pretty 😻 (edited) 2y
dabbe Soooo sweet! 💙🐾💚 2y
48 likes2 comments
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Deblovestoread
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
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#TemptingTitles #WithHorse

I started it on audio shortly after it came out but got distracted. I want to try again.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Good luck 👍🏻 🐎 2y
Eggs It does sound good 😊 🐎 💚 2y
62 likes2 comments
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Kshakal
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
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Eggs 💚💜🐎❤️🖤 2y
41 likes1 comment
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Karisimo
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
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A dual timeline historical fiction story about the people who actually worked with the horses in horse racing (not just the owners and jockeys). Geraldine Brooks is such a solid author!

#temptingtitles #withhorse @Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Eggs Another one for Mount TBR !! 2y
Karisimo @Eggs mount TBR 😂😂😂 2y
31 likes2 comments
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Cathyloves2read
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
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Pickpick

“Another book about horses?”I thought.I‘m glad I read this one.I really liked the “horse history”.I also appreciated most if the messages spoken in the pages.I‘ll be honest, it was a little bit too political for me at times, as my views are likely a bit different than the authors.But this didn‘t take away from the story. I loved discovering Lexington,and I really admired Jarret. Jarret was willing to give up everything for that horse, even freedom

CSeydel I thought the historical story was a lot more engaging than the present-day story, which felt forced and awkward. 2y
Cathyloves2read I totally agree with you. It almost felt that the 2 stories were meant for different books. 2y
11 likes2 comments
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CSeydel
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
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This week‘s plans!
Keep plugging along in Dragon Reborn #serieslove2023
#chunksterchallenge2023
Read Redshirts #LMPBC
Make some progress in Horse for my irl book club
#weeklyforecast

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Christinak
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
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Pickpick

This is my bookclubs March pick.
This book had me completely hooked. Even though I know absolutely nothing about horses or horse racing and I could not read this fast enough to find out what was going to happen!

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TheSpineView
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
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Pickpick

This book is more than just a story about a famous and influential Thoroughbred stallion in the 19th century. It is a love story and a depiction of racism across two centuries. Fabulously researched and well written. A great story, rich in historical facts. A joy to read. Highly recommend even to you non-horsey Littens. 4.5 ⭐️

This is my second book completed for #MarchMadness @DieAReader @Andrew65 @GHABI4ROSES

Andrew65 Sounds fascinating. Well done 👏👏👏 2y
DieAReader 🥳🥳🥳 2y
85 likes3 comments
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Hooked_on_books
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
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Pickpick

Based on a true champion racehorse, Horse delves into the story of Lexington, starting in 1850, and the modern day people uncovering his story and skeleton. Overall, I thought this was terrific and came together well, though I was a little disappointed with one plot point, which felt exploitative to me. #toblonglist

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BookMaven9
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
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Mehso-so

🌟🌟A well researched book about racism and horse racing, Lexington and it‘s painter. However the characters were flat and uninteresting leaving me bored most of the time.

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Adventures_of_a_French_Reader
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
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Mehso-so

I found the story line about Lexington and Jarret very interesting, well-written, while the modern love story didn't convince me, I would have preferred it to remain a loveless enquiry about the painting...

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Judybskt
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
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Pickpick

I liked this but it took me forever to read it!

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Writeme
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
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Pickpick

What an amazing story! Spanning 170 years, Horse brings together the antebellum south, slavery, the civil war, the Smithsonian, art history, and modern racism in America - all through the life of one amazing thoroughbred. Brook‘s writing is amazing, and the structure is incredible. Riveting and fascinating.

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Judybskt
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
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💕Beatriz Williams
✨Tagged
💜Historical, racism, lush countryside

#wondrouswednesday
@Eggs

Eggs #1 - agreed!!! 2y
16 likes1 comment
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wen4blu
Horse: A Novel | Geraldine Brooks
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I haven‘t read this author in years, but so many book friends have loved this one that I moved it to the top of my tbr.
#currentlyreading

jlhammar Great read - hope you enjoy! You are taking me back to my girlhood with that horse model. I loved collecting those. 2y
38 likes1 stack add1 comment