Horse by geraldine brooks book club questions

This post may contain affiliate links. Read more here. Book club questions for Horse by Geraldine Brooks delve into the complexities of American history and the human spirit. The novel explores the bond between a discarded painting, a skeleton in an attic and the greatest racehorse in American history, Lexington.

Sign up for our newsletters! On page 28 Theo, Georgetown, Washington, DC, , Theo reflects that depictions of horses are among the oldest art humans created. Discuss the enduring human fascination with horses. Do they move you more than other animals? If so, why?

Horse by geraldine brooks book club questions

Horse , by Geraldine Brooks, drew me in, even though I know little about horses or horse racing. I enjoyed how she interwove the historical account into the present, echoing issues of race, art and our stories across the centuries. Horse offers readers plenty of opportunity to consider how these issues and others have changed or not over with the passage of time. Her inclusion of how the painting Portrait of Lexington passed through Martha Jackson seemed a bit of an afterthought to me or could have been more integral to the novel. Perhaps I felt that way because I so enjoyed then depth Brooks gave each contributor in People of the Book. Following are resources to augment your reading along with a reminder of characters in the novel— both historical and fictional— as well as discussion topics to help get your conversation of Horse started with your book group or on your own. Note that this guide, like all of the guides, may contain spoilers. If you are not familiar with this history, I recommend reading the book before the guide. The meticulous research Brooks conducted for Horse is evident throughout the novel. In the afterword she shares short summaries of the historical figures that appear in her writing. I also recommend viewing the online portraits by Thomas J. Scott including the Portrait of Lexington which is owned by the Smithsonian.

Thank you for reading my book club questions and as always, happy reading! Make the connections that are most meaningful for your book group.

How did you learn about him? When Lexington died, the horse was so beloved he was given a ceremonial burial, complete with a horse-sized coffin. Later, it was suggested that his skeleton be disinterred and gifted to the Smithsonian. It stood in pride of place there for many years. Why do you think it was so popular? Before the Civil War and the Jim Crow era that followed Reconstruction, the racetrack was an integrated space, where all classes and colors mingled.

Updated on December 24, Book clubs offer the perfect opportunity to delve into the themes, characters, and plot of a book in a deeper way. Horse by Geraldine Brooks is a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that explores the human-animal bond, obsession, and injustice across American history. The novel tells the story of a discarded painting, a skeleton in an attic, and the greatest racehorse in American history, Lexington. The book Club Questions for Horse by Geraldine Brooks covers a range of topics, including the significance of Lexington, the relationship between Jess and Theo, and the legacy of enslavement. The questions encourage readers to reflect on their own experiences and opinions and consider the perspectives of the characters in the novel. The novel tells the story of an enslaved groom named Jarret and a bay foal who forge a bond of understanding that will carry the horse to record-setting victories across the South. The book is based on a real-life racehorse named Lexington, one of the most famous thoroughbreds in American history. The novel explores the enduring human fascination with horses and their significance in human culture. The book has received critical acclaim for its compelling characters, vivid descriptions, and masterful storytelling.

Horse by geraldine brooks book club questions

Known for her meticulous research and ability to breathe life into historical narratives, Brooks offers readers a journey through time, connecting past and present with her signature storytelling prowess. We also have a full summary of Horse in case you want to catch a glimpse of what the novel is about before delving into the questions. Here are some amazing book club discussion questions for the novel. This narrative choice highlights the enduring impact of historical events and relationships on subsequent generations, as well as the role of art and science in uncovering and preserving our past. This storyline emphasizes the significance of scientific inquiry and the preservation of history through material culture. Considering the symbolic and literal rediscovery of these artifacts within the novel, how does this theme of recovering lost or stolen legacies reflect broader societal efforts to confront and heal historical wounds, particularly those inflicted by racism and exploitation?

Minty blizzard strain effects

Their centrality is evident in the surviving correspondence of elite White horse breeders, who counted on the expertise of these men. What does the novel reveal about the way history shapes our present moment? Do they move you more than other animals? Read more here. His journey will take him back to the many folktales she poured into his head as a child, through the ranks of an underground network of librarians, into the lives of the children who have been taken, and finally to New York City, where a new act of defiance may be the beginning of much-needed change. This post may contain affiliate links. How does his love for and dedication to Lexington help or hamper his coming of age and his transformation over the course of the novel? Reading Group Guide. Eventually purchased by Jarrett. When the nation erupts in civil war, an itinerant young artist who has made his name on paintings of the racehorse takes up arms for the Union. Those names, faces and stories may not ever be known.

Download 4 Printable Bookmarks! If your book club is looking for a novel that lends itself to a great discussion, look no further than Horse by Geraldine Brooks.

How does his love for and dedication to Lexington help or hamper his coming of age and his transformation over the course of the novel? The following are just a few book club questions from bringing unknown stories to the forefront to art appreciation to perspective to get your conversation on Horse started. A discarded painting in a junk pile, a skeleton in an attic, and the greatest racehorse in American history: from these strands, a Pulitzer Prize winner braids a sweeping story of spirit, obsession, and injustice across American history. Horse , by Geraldine Brooks, drew me in, even though I know little about horses or horse racing. To keep the peace and restore prosperity, the authorities are now allowed to relocate children of dissidents, especially those of Asian origin, and libraries have been forced to remove books seen as unpatriotic. Note that this guide, like all of the guides, may contain spoilers. Do you share his point of view? Valentine and I have volunteered in a therapeutic riding program for children with autism and sometimes the relationship between child and horse verges on the miraculous. Does the author manage to convey why these unusual careers can be so compelling? Horse by Geraldine Brooks.