Rough Magic
Riding the world's wildest horse race. A Richard and Judy Book Club pick
- Published: 6 June 2019
- ISBN: 9781473558380
- Imprint: Ebury Digital
- Format: EBook
- Pages: 320
Think the next Educated or Wild. Palmer’s memoir of beating the odds to become a horse champion is an inspiring saga of perseverance — and a classic underdog tale.
Entertainment Weekly
Prior-Palmer's style is a fascinating mix of pep and poignancy. A really terrific story by a spirited new voice.
Sara Baume
[Prior-Palmer's] gorgeous, sensual depiction of this race is a literary marvel; it feels like you are riding alongside her across the desolate steppes; her verbal acuity makes vivid the most elusive of landscapes; her triumph becomes ours.
NYLON
In this sensual, spiritual memoir, Prior-Palmer recounts her grueling journey through immense physical hardship, and her surprising transformation from underdog to champion
Esquire
Absolutely riveting.
Buzzfeed
Filled with soulful self-reflection and race detail, this fast-paced page-turner is a thrill ride from start to finish.
Publishers Weekly
Feisty and exhilarating . . . Horse lovers will adore this inspiring and spirited memoir.
Kirkus Reviews
Prior-Palmer may be a gifted equestrian, but also she’s a born writer. . . . The journey, told through Prior Palmer’s voice, would’ve been interesting even without the satisfaction of victory
Refinery 29
Prior-Palmer writes with a dash and boldness few writers possess. . . Her narrative alchemy is remarkable
NPR
Such an addictive and likeable book. It’s not really about horse riding. It’s about female nonconformity and a desire to plug into the thrills and torments of existence *****
The Telegraph
An astonishing and hair-raising memoir that you, too, will race to finish.
Newsweek
A riot.
Metro
It’s the resistance to the obvious narratives that makes Rough Magic so appealing: the book undermines lazy women-in-the-wilderness tropes at every turn.
Sarah Moss, Guardian
Rough Magic is transporting, beguiling and terrifically entertaining.
Daily Mail
A heroic tale beautifully told
TLS