Horse by Geraldine Brooks

This is a story of one of the greatest racehorses who ever lived and the people who were affected by him. It is also a story of ownership - be it Lexington the horse, Jarret the slave groom whose wisdom and faith developed Lexington's greatness or the countless jockeys, horse tenders and horse painters whose worth was judged by white plantation and racetrack owners. Beginning before the Civil War and continuing to present day, this saga takes into account all sides of the horse's life from birth to racing greatness to after his death where his skeleton is studied by a Smithsonian scientist. The other part of the story is about a talented yet little known artist who specialized in painting racehorses and the travels of one of these paintings until it ended up in the Smithsonian collection. We see all the best in the love for these horses and the worst in the greed and disregard for the human beings and families torn apart making this both epic historical fiction and a scalding commentary on how race and bigotry is still very much present and not just in the south. Readers of racehorse stories such as SEABISCUIT and THE EIGHTY DOLLAR CHAMPION as well as stories of slavery like THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD and TAKE MY HAND will find much to love.  4 1/2 stars