A Year at the Races : Reflections on Horses, Humans, Love, Money and Luck - Hardcover

Smiley, Jane

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0571224350 ISBN 13: 9780571224357

Publisher: Faber & Faber, 2004

Synopsis

Before I was a mother, before I was a writer, before I knew the facts of life, before I was a schoolgirl, before I learned to read, I wanted a horse. Jane Smiley, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of A Thousand Acres, takes us into the heart of the racing world with this irresistible account of her life-long love affair with horses. Smiley draws upon her first-hand knowledge of horses, as well as the wisdom of trainers, vets, jockeys and even a real-life horse whisperer, to examine the horse on all levels - practical, theoretical, and emotional. She shares not only anecdotes about her own horses, but also fascinating and original insights into horse - and human - behaviour. To all this she adds an element of drama and suspense as two of her own horses begin their careers at the racetrack. As the sexy black filly Waterwheel and the elegant gray colt Wowie aspire to the winner's circle, we are enchanted, enthralled - and informed about what it's really like to own, train, and root for a racehorse. A Year at the Races is charming, funny, and a bit outrageous: a candid exploration of the abiding bond between humans and horses, told with panache, intelligence and humour.

About this title

From the Inside Flap

"Every horse story is a love story," writes Jane Smiley, who has loved horses for most of her life and owned and bred them for a good part of it. To love something is to observe it with more than usual attention, and that is precisely what Smiley does in this irresistibly smart, witty, and engaging chronicle of her obsession.
In particular she follows a sexy filly named Waterwheel and a grey named Wowie (he "tells" a horse communicator that he wants it changed from Hornblower) as they begin careers at the racetrack. Filled with humor and suspense, and with discourses on equine intelligence, affection, and character, A Year at the Races is a winner.

About the Author

Jane Smiley is the author of twelve novels, including A Thousand Acres, Horse Heaven and Good Faith. She owns several horses and lives in Northern California.

Edition details

• Publisher: Faber & Faber
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0571224350
• ISBN 13: 9780571224357
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 290