Horse: A Novel

“Brooks’ chronological and cross-disciplinary leaps are thrilling.” —The New York Times Book Review

“Horse isn’t just an animal story—it’s a moving narrative about race and art.” —TIME

“A thrilling story about humanity in all its ugliness and beauty . . . the evocative voices create a story so powerful, reading it feels like watching a neck-and-neck horse race, galloping to its conclusion—you just can’t look away.” —Oprah Daily

Winner of the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award, the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, and the Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award · Finalist for the Chautauqua Prize · A Massachusetts Book Award Honor Book

In Horse, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author weaves a compelling narrative spanning American history, spirit, obsession, and injustice.

Kentucky, 1850. An enslaved groom named Jarret and a bay foal form a bond that leads the horse to record-setting victories. As the nation is torn apart by civil war, a young artist fighting for the Union reunites with the stallion and his groom.

New York City, 1954. Martha Jackson, a gallery owner, becomes obsessed with a mysterious nineteenth-century equestrian oil painting.

Washington, DC, 2019. Jess, a Smithsonian scientist, and Theo, an art historian, uncover the lost history of unsung Black horsemen critical to the stallion's racing success.

Based on the true story of record-breaking thoroughbred Lexington, Horse explores art, science, love, obsession, and the unfinished reckoning with racism.