Horse - Geraldine Brooks ------------------- 4 Stars

I appreciated the tip from a coworker to check out Horse by Geraldine Brooks. While a very well reviewed book, I'm not sure I would have picked up this gem from a few years ago. A multi-generational novel with the through-line of horses, it probably wouldn't be my first choice but really glad I picked it up and was able to enjoy it.

As I mentioned, this book covers 3 time frames - Kentucky in the mid-twentieth century, 1950's NYC, and Washington DC in modern times. All three stories were connected through different aspects of a horse(s). Of course, there is so much more to it, but to see these different strands all come together as the novel grows was truly satisfying. Making it even more rewarding was learning after that nearly every historical character was based on a real individual. Most of them were connected to the growth of horse racing in the mid 1800's along with the focus on perhaps the greatest racehorse ever - Lexington.

If you are like me, you most likely have never heard of a horse named Lexington. Secretariat, sure, of course you know that one. Man O' War, probably aware of that one too. But Lexington, I doubt it. Well, Lexington perhaps was the greatest ever. Racing before the Kentucky Derby even existed, he won six of the seven races he participated in (before retiring due to blindness). He was also the most dominant sire to exist. He led the US with 16 years of being the lead sire of winning horses. His bloodline is so successful that nearly every major thoroughbred is somehow related to Lexington. 

Even if you are not a horse racing fan or even slightly interested the book is still a wonderful read. Yes, it indulges deeply in the glory that is equines, and if you don't have an interest in horses, it's hard not to finish the book and appreciate their grace, beauty, effort, and importance in American history. The book is also about aspects of slavery, art, and a love story (numerous types of love).

Of course, there are some aspects that I didn't enjoy. Like any book that covers so much ground with three story lines, I found some aspects overly detailed and unnecessary. There is also an odd "wokeness" to the story. I appreciate the author's efforts to highlight certain aspects of race and gender but found many of them came of as awkward and flat.

Overall, the book is a good read. Of course, if you are lover of horses or horse racing, this book will likely agree with you more than the average reader but I think there is a lot offered here for anyone interested in a great story of historical fiction. And, if you are like me. you might even learn something from it.