The Dark Horse

By the author of Black Narcissus and The Diddakoi comes the moving tale of Dark Invader, a powerful racehorse. 'One of our best and most captivating novelists' Philip Hensher '[Godden's] distinctive, poised and unsentimental books have never lost a shred of their almost hypnotic appeal' Rosie Thomas, Guardian '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. But three days before the race Dark Invader disappears. Can he be found before it is too late? Dubbed 'one of the greatest horse books ever written,' follow Dark Invader's journey, now available as a Virago Modern Classic.