Probus Book Club #2 met at Phyllis’s to discuss “Horse” by Geraldine Brooks. This historical fiction centres on “Lexington”, the most famous race horse and stud horse in American history. The novel weaves in and out of three time periods: 1850s, 1954, and 2019.
Starting in 2019 with the discovery by Theo, an art historian, of a portrait of a beautiful horse and his black groom at a sidewalk sale in Washington D.C. the reader is drawn into the mystery of who they are.
The story then travels back in time to 1850s Kentucky when Lexington is born. A special bond develops between this exceptional horse and his groom, Jarrett. There are many characters introduced as the story unfolds, some fictitious and some historical, and all integral to the book. This was a great book club choice and we discussed much about horses, horse racing, slavery, racism, and “cultural appropriation“ by authors. Highly recommended!
submitted by L. Horsman
