Horse

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• How effectively does Horse establish continuity between its disparate historical periods? Do any of the three timelines—the 1850s, the 1950s, and 2019—come through as more fully realized or compelling than the others?
• At the heart of the novel are two love stories—one about the romantic love between Jess and Theo, and one about the deep bond between Jarret and Lexington. How do these very different kinds of love drive the narrative in different ways? 

2. Personal Reflection and Connection 

Connect the book’s themes and characters to personal experiences and perspectives.

• Have you ever discovered a lost or forgotten story from your family or another of your communities? How did the discovery change your understanding of your community’s legacy? How did it challenge the stories you had previously been told? 
• Think of a family heirloom or other artifact that has special meaning for you, as the painting of Lexington has for Jarret and his descendants. What stories and people does the artifact represent? Why is it important? 
• Which character(s) did you feel closest to? How did their experiences resonate with your own? 
• What is a sport, art form, or other aspect of culture that you would like to know more about? How might you begin looking for the hidden stories within this field? What would you expect to find?