The horse
£18.99
In stock
65-year-old Al Ward is several years into an isolated stint living on old mining land in Nevada left to him by his great uncle. One morning, the horse arrives outside his home, seemingly unable to feed itself or stay safe from coyote attacks. 6000 feet up, 30 miles from the nearest town and broken by alcoholism and anxiety, Al must decide what to do. Intercut with Al’s present-day story are episodes from his long life as a songwriter and guitarist. Beginning in Reno, we follow his chequered career as a touring musician, struggling to make ends meet and to survive the reality of a like devoid of the glitz and glamour of mainstream success.
‘Shot through with all the bruised romance and regret of a country-blues classic . . . Vlautin’s characters are a vast chorus of broken hearts, reaching for grace.’
COLIN WALSH
‘Tremendously compelling . . . as succinct and wrenching as a well-honed folk song.’
GUARDIAN
‘A bruised and beautiful instant classic.’
BEN MYERS
Willy Vlautin’s most personal novel yet – a poetic and deeply moving story about what it really takes to be a musician.
‘There’s a horse’, he whispered. ‘An old horse that’s standing in front of my house. He’s blind and he won’t eat and I don’t know what to do.’
67-year-old Al Ward is several years into an isolated stint living on old mining land in Nevada left to him by his great uncle. One morning, the horse arrives outside his home, seemingly unable to feed itself or stay safe from coyote attacks. 6000 feet up, 30 miles from the nearest town and broken by alcoholism and anxiety, Al must decide what to do.
Intercut with Al’s present-day story are episodes from his long life as a songwriter and guitarist. Beginning in Reno, we follow his chequered career as a touring musician, struggling to make ends meet and to survive the reality of a like devoid of the glitz and glamour of mainstream success.
Vlautin’s new novel is a gorgeous homage to the uncelebrated musicians who make our lives more joyful, and, as always, an exploration of loneliness, humanity and resilience.
‘Another classic from one of America’s greatest storytellers.’
JONATHAN EVISON
‘A terrific parable of art and aging.’
JESS WALTER
Additional information
Weight | 0.34 kg |
---|---|
Dimensions | 22.3 × 13.8 × 2.5 cm |
Author | |
Publisher | Faber & Faber |
Imprint | |
Cover | Hardback |
Pages | 212 |
Language | |
Edition | Hardback original |
Dewey | 813.6 (edition:23) |
Readership | General – Trade / Code: K |
New In
Related products
-
Operators’ Specials:Various
£6.30 Add to cart -
Shakin’ The Africann LP (UK 1984):Don Redman And His Orchestra
£6.30 Add to cart -
Chuck Wagon Swing LP (UK):Swift Jewel Cowboys
£7.20 Add to cart -
Folclore De Portugal (Vol.6) (Algarve) LP (POR):Various
£8.10 Add to cart -
Bones For The King LP (UK 1986):Dicky Wells
£6.30 Add to cart -
Nat King Cole – Ella Fitzgerald:Nat King Cole; Ella Fitzgerald
£6.75 Add to cart -
Celebrity Club Orchestra Vol. 1 LP (FRA):Buddy Tate
£7.65 Add to cart -
String Quartets LP (CZE):Smetana
£7.11 Add to cart -
Great Jazz Legends 2xLP (UK 1988):Various
£8.46 Add to cart -
Piano Concertos No. 1 In E Flat / Piano Concerto No. 2 In A LP (UK 1972):Liszt; Ivan Davis
£9.90 Add to cart -
Swingin’ With The Count LP (UK):Count Basie; Joe Williams
£6.30 Add to cart -
Welcome The New Year LP (UK 1971):Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
£6.30 Add to cart