We had a good discussion about this book, even though the title made several of the group somewhat apprehensive as to the content. Some people are less confident, and indeed less experienced, around horses and several members of the group expressed their reservations concerning the exploitation of such a noble beast for financial purposes through horse racing. We tried to steer clear of this and focus on the positives.

This 'historical fiction' novel is based on true characters and real events. The horse, Livingston, was one of the most famous, record breaking race horses in the world and the story revolves around him; Jarret, his groom; Livingston's skeleton and its reconstruction and the paintings of him during his life and times in 1850s Kentucky. 

However,  it has many threads linking that period through to contemporary America covering art, science, slavery, racial injustices and cross-cultural relationships, blending fact with fiction to create a gripping story about a Horse.

The book was researched thoroughly by the Australian-American, Pulitzer prize winning author, who fills her book with a vast range of information and possibilities, as she weaves a love story about a horse and a black slave.  Although we had a number of reservations about the story, plus the need to suspend belief regarding some of the events, we all found it a good, easy and interesting read, one we can recommend without reservation.