Geraldine Brooks | Horse
TLDRIn this engaging talk, Geraldine Brooks discusses her journey as an author, from her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel 'March' to her latest work inspired by the true story of a champion thoroughbred horse named Lexington. Brooks reflects on her experiences as a former war correspondent and her deep dive into the world of horse racing, highlighting the injustices and challenges faced by the horses and the people involved. She also shares her personal connection to the subject matter, her research process, and the inspiration behind her characters, offering insights into the complexities of writing historical fiction.
Takeaways
- ๐ Geraldine Brooks is a Pulitzer Prize-winning author known for her novel 'March' and other best-selling works.
- ๐ Her latest novel, 'Horse', is based on the true story of a champion thoroughbred horse named Lexington and explores themes of injustice in American history.
- ๐ Brooks has a diverse background, including being a former war correspondent for the Wall Street Journal and covering regions like the Middle East, Africa, and the Balkans.
- ๐ She was awarded the 2010 Dayton Literary Peace Prize for Lifetime Achievement and named an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2016.
- ๐ Brooks' interest in horses began late in life, influenced by her experience as a racing correspondent and a writer's retreat in Santa Fe.
- ๐ 'Horse' intertwines the stories of three generations connected by the horse and the historical injustices in the United States.
- ๐จ The novel also delves into the world of 19th-century thoroughbred racing and the significant role of black, enslaved individuals in the success of the horse racing industry.
- ๐ผ๏ธ The narrative is further enriched by the inclusion of paintings and the exploration of art history, connecting the past and present.
- ๐ Brooks' writing process involves extensive research and a deep dive into the lives and experiences of her characters.
- ๐ The author's personal experiences and family connections inform her storytelling, particularly in creating the character of Jarrett in 'Horse'.
- ๐ Brooks expresses concern about the current state of thoroughbred racing, the treatment of horses, and the need for change in the industry.
Q & A
What significant award did Geraldine Brooks win for her novel March?
-Geraldine Brooks won the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for her novel March, which is a retelling of Louisa May Alcott's Little Women from the family's absent patriarch's point of view.
Which of Geraldine Brooks' other works focuses on the Hidden World of Islamic women?
-Nine Parts of Desire: The Hidden World of Islamic Women is one of Geraldine Brooks' internationally best-selling works of non-fiction.
What recognition did Geraldine Brooks receive for her lifetime achievement in 2010?
-In 2010, Geraldine Brooks was awarded the Dayton Literary Peace Prize for Lifetime Achievement.
What is the central theme of Geraldine Brooks' latest novel, Horse?
-Geraldine Brooks' latest novel, Horse, tells the story of three disparate generations of people tied together through a champion thoroughbred horse named Lexington and the injustice that has permeated the nation's history.
How did Geraldine Brooks' experience as a Wall Street Journal correspondent influence her writing career?
-As a former Wall Street Journal correspondent stationed in the Middle East, Africa, and the Balkans, Geraldine Brooks' experiences in conflict zones and her observations of the consequences of foreign policy on ordinary people's lives have greatly influenced her writing, particularly in providing depth and authenticity to her historical and conflict-related narratives.
What personal connection does Geraldine Brooks have to the transgender community?
-Geraldine Brooks grew up with her cousin who is transgender, which has given her a personal connection to the transgender community and an understanding of the vulnerability and challenges they face.
How did Geraldine Brooks' early life in Sydney shape her relationship with horses?
-Growing up in the inner city of Sydney, where there were no horses, Geraldine Brooks' relationship with horses happened late in her life. Her first significant interaction with horses was when she became the racing correspondent for the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper.
What was Geraldine Brooks' initial reaction to her first writing lesson at the age of 53?
-Geraldine Brooks humorously mentions that if you're going to become horse crazy, it's better to do it at five or fifteen, not 53, indicating her surprise and perhaps the challenge she faced in developing a relationship with horses at an older age.
What event led Geraldine Brooks to start her journey with horses?
-Geraldine Brooks' journey with horses began when she attended a writer's retreat in Santa Fe, where she was invited for a trail ride by a wrangler. This experience sparked her interest in horses, which eventually led to her owning one.
How did Geraldine Brooks' research for her novel on Lexington intersect with her personal life?
-While researching her novel on Lexington, Geraldine Brooks discovered the story of black and enslaved people who were responsible for the success of thoroughbred racing in the 19th century. This realization connected her work to her personal life, as she had a family member who was transgender, highlighting the importance of exploring and addressing injustices throughout history.
What is Geraldine Brooks' perspective on the current state of thoroughbred racing?
-Geraldine Brooks expresses concern about the modern thoroughbred racing industry, particularly the breeding of fragile horses that are prone to injury and the use of drugs like Lasix, which weakens their bones. She believes the industry needs to change to prevent the waste and tragedy of destroying these beautiful animals.
Outlines
๐ Introduction and Literary Achievements
The speaker introduces Geraldine Brooks, highlighting her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel 'March' and other best-selling works. Brooks's background as a former war correspondent for the Wall Street Journal and her awards, including the Dayton Literacy Peace Prize and being named an officer of the Order of Australia, are mentioned. The focus shifts to her latest novel, 'Horse', based on the true story of a champion thoroughbred horse, emphasizing the interconnectedness of three generations through the horse and historical injustices.
๐ Journey into Journalism and Horse Racing
Brooks shares her early fascination with journalism, sparked by a visit to her father's workplace at a local newspaper. Despite studying government and Fine Arts, she ends up in the sports department, specifically as a racing correspondent. Her experiences at racetracks, witnessing accidents and deaths, lead to a personal aversion to horse racing. Years later, a writer's retreat in Santa Fe reignites her interest in horses, leading to her owning one and inadvertently becoming involved in the world of horse care and racing once again.
๐ The Discovery of Lexington and the Smithsonian
At a fundraiser, Brooks learns about the most famous racehorse of the 19th century, Lexington, whose skeleton was moved to the International Museum of the Horse in Kentucky. This sparks the idea for her next novel. She delves into the history of horse racing and the crucial role of black, enslaved individuals in the success of the sport. Brooks also explores the contemporary side of the story, involving the Smithsonian's osteoprep lab and the scientific study of bones, leading to a multi-layered narrative that intertwines the past and present.
๐ผ๏ธ The Significance of Art in History
Brooks discusses the importance of paintings in her novel, which serve as narrative connectors. She describes a 19th-century oil painting of Lexington and the intriguing story of how it ended up in the Smithsonian through the bequest of Martha Jackson, a prominent art dealer. This discovery expands the novel's scope, adding a third strand to the narrative and prompting Brooks to explore the intersection of art, history, and the legacy of the horse.
๐ From Foreign Correspondent to Novelist
Brooks recounts her career as a foreign correspondent, covering significant global events and conflicts. She shares her experiences in Australia, Africa, and the Middle East, and how these assignments shaped her worldview. The turning point in her career comes when she is detained by the Nigerian secret police, an event that makes her reevaluate her priorities and leads her to transition from journalism to writing novels.
๐ The Writing Process and Adaptations
Brooks discusses her writing process, the challenges of transitioning from journalism to fiction, and the adaptations of her books into films. She mentions her upcoming memoir 'Memorial Days', which deals with her experiences of grief and loss following her husband's sudden death. She also expresses her concerns about the current state of thoroughbred racing, the treatment of horses, and the need for significant change in the industry.
Mindmap
Keywords
๐กGeraldine Brooks
๐กPulitzer Prize
๐กHorse Racing
๐กInjustice
๐กThoroughbred
๐กWall Street Journal
๐กSlavery
๐กMemoir
๐กAnimal Welfare
๐กHistorical Fiction
๐กCultural Coverage
Highlights
Geraldine Brooks won the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for her novel March, a retelling of Louisa May Alcott's Little Women from the patriarch's perspective.
Brooks has written other internationally best-selling works, including fiction and non-fiction such as Nine Parts of Desire, The Hidden World of Islamic Women, Caleb's Crossing, Foreign Correspondents, The Secret Chord, and People of the Book.
A former war correspondent for the Wall Street Journal, Brooks was awarded the 2010 Dayton Literary Peace Prize for Lifetime Achievement and named an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2016.
Her latest novel, Horse, is based on the true story of a champion thoroughbred horse named Lexington, exploring three generations tied together by the horse and the injustice in American history.
Brooks grew up in the inner city of Sydney with no exposure to horses, but became the racing correspondent for the Sydney Morning Herald, providing detailed race information.
Brooks' early exposure to journalism was at age eight when she visited her father at a local newspaper, where she was captivated by the printing press process.
Brooks has a personal connection to the transgender community, having grown up with a transgender cousin, and advocates for kindness towards this vulnerable group.
Her relationship with horses began late in life during a writer's retreat in Santa Fe, where she was invited to go on a trail ride and fell in love with horseback riding.
Brooks' first novel, Year of Wonders, was inspired by a self-imposed challenge to write a story without her journalist background, leading to a successful transition to fiction writing.
The skeleton of Lexington, the 19th-century racehorse, was moved from the Natural History Museum to the International Museum of the Horse in Lexington, Kentucky, sparking Brooks' interest in his story.
Brooks' research for her novel on Lexington revealed the significant role of black, enslaved individuals in the success of thoroughbred racing during the 19th century.
The contemporary storyline in Brooks' novel involves the Smithsonian Institution and the scientific study of bones, including Lexington's.
A painting of Lexington by 19th-century artist Thomas Scott is a key element in Brooks' novel, connecting the historical and contemporary narratives.
Brooks' novel Horse has been optioned for a movie by a producer who has experience adapting challenging novels for the screen, such as Life of Pi and Where the Crawdads Sing.
Brooks is working on a short memoir called Memorial Days, reflecting on her experiences with grief and loss following her husband's sudden death.
Brooks expresses concern about the current state of thoroughbred racing, particularly the breeding of fragile horses and the use of drugs like Lasix.
Brooks' personal experiences with horses, including adopting an off-the-track racehorse, inform her perspectives on the racing industry and the importance of aftercare for retired racehorses.
Transcripts
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