The Dark Horse

All horses can walk - some badly, some well, but to a few is given a gift of movement feline in its grace, a slouching, flowing continuous movement that is a joy to watch. Dark Invader strode in glorious rhythm, his great shoulders rolling, muscles rippling along his flanks under the satin skin.

Dark Invader is a beautifully bred young racehorse but after a disappointing first season he is sold cheaply and shipped from England to Calcutta. At his new home 'Darkie' is surrounded by outsiders like himself: his trainer, who is married to a beautiful but socially unacceptable wife; his middle-aged, doting stable lad; and his flamboyant owner who has decided to ignore his past record and take a chance. Before long, with gentle handling Dark Invader is performing at his peak and is the firm favourite for India's most famous race, the Viceroy Cup. But three days before the race Darkie disappears. Only someone with an eye for a horse - and for a miracle - can possibly save the day.

“A moving and unusual story-- Daily Telegraph”

[Godden's] distinctive, poised and unsentimental books have never lost a shred of their almost hypnotic appeal -- Rosie Thomas Guardian
[Godden has] a genius for storytelling Evening Standard
All [Godden's novels] have one important thing in common: They are beautifully and simply wrought by a woman of depth and sensitivity Los Angeles Times
One of the greatest horse books ever written . . . Moving, and highly original -- Lauren St. John, author of The White Giraffe
A moving and unusual story Daily Telegraph

Rumer Godden (1907-98) was the acclaimed author of over sixty works of fiction and non-fiction for adults and children. Born in England, she and her siblings grew up in Narayanganj, India, and she later spent many years living in Calcutta and Kashmir. Several of her novels were made into films, including Black Narcissus, The Greengage Summer and The River, which was filmed by Jean Renoir. She was appointed OBE in 1993.

'All horses can walk - some badly, some well, but to a few is given a gift of movement feline in its grace, a slouching, flowing continuous movement that is a joy to watch. Dark Invader strode in glorious rhythm, his great shoulders rolling, muscles rippling along his flanks under the satin skin.' Dark Invader is a beautifully bred racehorse, but after a disappointing first season he is sold in disgrace and shipped from England to Calcutta. With love and gentle handling 'Darkie' wins the hearts of the people and becomes the firm favourite for India's most famous race, the Viceroy Cup. Three days before the race, Dark Invader disappears. With so little time to lose, it would take a miracle to put things right.

All horses can walk - some badly, some well, but to a few is given a gift of movement feline in its grace, a slouching, flowing continuous movement that is a joy to watch. Dark Invader strode in glorious rhythm, his great shoulders rolling, muscles rippling along his flanks under the satin skin. Dark Invader is a beautifully bred young racehorse but after a disappointing first season he is sold cheaply and shipped from England to Calcutta. At his new home 'Darkie' is surrounded by outsiders like himself: his trainer, who is married to a beautiful but socially unacceptable wife; his middle-aged, doting stable lad; and his flamboyant owner who has decided to ignore his past record and take a chance. Before long, with gentle handling Dark Invader is performing at his peak and is the firm favourite for India's most famous race, the Viceroy Cup. But three days before the race Darkie disappears. Only someone with an eye for a horse - and for a miracle - can possibly save the day.

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