The Horse

'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.'

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.

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

WILLY VLAUTIN has published six previous novels: The Motel Life, Northline, Lean on Pete, The Free, Don't Skip Out on Me and The Night Always Comes. The Motel Life and Lean on Pete were turned into feature films, released in 2012 and 2017 respectively. The former starred Kris Kristofferson and Emile Hirsch and the latter, starred Charlie Plummer, Chloe Sevigny and Steve Buscemi, and was adapted and directed by Andrew Haigh. Vlautin lives outside of Portland, Oregon and is the founding member of the bands Richmond Fontaine and The Delines. The Night Always Comes is being developed by H2L Media with Vanessa Kirby's production company, for Vanessa to star. Ben Caron (Sharper) will direct.

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