2025 Book Review #34: Horse

 

Wow. I had seen this author's books on the town library shelves in the past but had never read one until I took this one out a couple of weeks ago. She is a Pulitzer Prize winner, too.  This was fantastic. It's going to stay with me for a while....in my mind.....to reflect on...it's a powerful read and based on historical events and a real historic horse named Lexington. 

 STORY SUMMARY

It's 1850 in Kentucky. Jarret, is an enslaved groom for a brand new foal named Darley aka Lexington. They have a special bond and seem to understand each other which will carry them to record-setting victories across the South. When the nation begins the Civil War, an itinerant artist named Thomas Scott who has made his name known for his paintings of the racehorse, takes up arms for the Union. One perilous night, he reunites with the stallion and Jarret, and they are very far from the glamour of the racetrack. 

It is New York City, 1954.  There is a gallery owner named Martha Jackson (based on the real person) who is celebrated for taking huge risks on contemporary painters, such as Jackson Pollack.  She becomes obsessed with a 19th century painting:  an oil painting of a horse with mysterious origins. 

It is Washington, D.C, 2019.   A Smithsonian scientist (Jess) from Australia and a Nigerian-American named Theo (art historian) find themselves connected through their shared interest in the horse.  Jess is studying the horse's bones for clues as to his speed and endurance.  Theo is uncovering, for his doctoral thesis, the lost history of the unsung Black horsemen who were critical to the horse's racing success. 

How do these three different eras connect?  And who really was Lexington?? 

How do the very real historical figures connect to Lexington, America's most famous stallion who sired 16 times? Their names: 

Robert Alexander, 1819-1867

Richard Ten Broeck born in Albany NY 1812 and died in CA 1892

Cassius Clay, 1810-1903

MaryJane Warfield Clay, 1815-1900

Mary Barr Clay, 1839-1924

William Johnson, 1809-1851 known as "the barber of Natchez, Louisiana"

Harry Lewis, born in 1805

John Pryor, 1812-1890

Thomas J Scott, painter 1831-1888

Edward Troye, famous Swiss artist, 1808-1874

Willa Viley, captain in the War of 1812, 1788-1865 (first president of the Lexington Racing Association)

Elisha Warfield, Jr 1781-1859, Founder of the Lexington Jockey Club and who delivered Mary Todd Lincoln. He was a leader in Kentucky racing and breeding, a professor of surgery and obstetrics, and a medical practitioner. 

To find out how these people connect to Lexington the Horse, read this book! 

MY THOUGHTS

This is a treasure of a story. I had seen Lexington the painting in an art book or maybe a print in a museum but I knew nothing about this horse, other than he was a famous Kentucky stallion. 

The author, at the end of the book, has a good summary on each of the main historical figures mentioned in this story.  She also said that although these figures were real people as was Lexington, she took liberty with her imagination to make this a fantastic historical fiction. It's truly a book worth reading. 

I loved the character development as well as the setting. I'm determined to someday see Kentucky and the racetrack. Kentucky has been on my bucket list ever since my oldest daughter began equestrian sports. 

The author is an excellant writer and really brings the past alive for the reader. 

The main themes in this book are: the enduring impact of racism here in America throughout the ages; how slavery has shaped us as a nation and the legacy it has left; friendship between slave and owner; between humans and animal; and the power of art along with the power of science.   

There is a developing love story of sorts in this book between Jess and Theo but the ending is not one I expected. It's a very powerful look at implicit bias and Blacks vs our police force. 

I love how the author tied in the start of Covid into this story as well....it left me with goosebumps...I don't want to reveal too much as I don't want to ruin this for you. 

I can't say enough good things about this book. 

One major quote left me haunted:

"...want to be free? Course I do. But a soldier ain't free....I respect the men who joined your army, I do. But I've been taking orders all my life, and now I'm giving them. I good as run this place, Mr Scott. And I get paid to do it....Mr. Alexander commenced to pay us wages right after the president's proclamation.  What makes you think I'd give that up to take orders from some White officer, a stranger, who don't care if I live or if I die? Just another masa, is all I see.  We suffered enough on account of slavery already.  I don't planon laying my life down to end it. You folk who made this mess, I reckon you owe us to clean it up."  pg 336, Horse by Geraldine Brooks, c.2022

I couldn't agree more, Jarret!! 

In my opinion, this book is appropriate for ages 14 and older. 

On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest, I rate this a 10.