A mix of historical fiction and modern day fiction, this book swallowed me whole.

The two main characters are a horse named Lexington and his enslaved trainer Jarret, set around the time of the Civil War. Lexington becomes nationally recognized for his record-breaking speed on the track, while Jarret, his constant companion, lives in the shadows. With layers of racism and human value and the interaction between Black and white Americans over decades, it’s a thought-provoking and sad read.

Woven through the story of Lexington is thread of equestrian art. We meet painters, art collectors, art historians, and professors trying to piece history together through paintings.

I learned about horse racing and art, longed for different outcomes and grieved for the racism that continues to trail us as a country.

There were disappointing elements and the characters could have been a bit more interesting/engaging/deep, but overall I really enjoyed the book from start to finish.