I love Rumer Godden's writing, and I loved this book, too, though not as much as some of her others. She tells a cracking good story, and is so convincing in her descriptions that one could waste A LOT of time researching the true events on which the novel is based. At least I could, and did. Though I'm frustrated to say I don't think I've pinpointed the real horse, let alone the actual people.

A great, warm-hearted story with some memorable characters, including the horse!

The Dark Horse was deftly written, and highly enjoyable. The characters were well crafted, the horses were accurately portrayed, and overall the story was fascinating. The setting and history of racing in Calcutta were unique and Godden's lovely writing style is such a refreshing difference from anything I've read in years. The plot included some good twists, and overall this is an older book well worth seeking out.

I always enjoy Rumer Godden's world of Colonial India. Having read some of her novels in high school in the 1950s, I occasionally seek out one I haven't read. This one did not disappoint.

This is the story of an Irish-born horse named Dark Invader who is sold to the wealthy Mr. Leventine who takes him to his facility in Calcutta to train Dark Invader for racing. The story is about Leventine’s actions with the Invader’s handler, Ted Mullins, who accompanies Dark Invader to India, and trainer John Quillan as they deal with the locals, the authorities and other obstacles while trying to get the Invader ready for Viceroy Cup, India’s premier horse race. Included in the locals are the nuns at a local convent led by Mother Morag, where John Quillan’s family attends church and school. Nuns and India let the reader know that this is a Godden novel.

I enjoyed the story while reading the first portion of the book. The wide array of characters were well-developed as was the storyline. Then, at the book’s 2/3 mark, an event occurred that created some key dramatic tension. I found the actions of one of the aforementioned characters during the event to be irritating, which affected my ability to enjoy the storyline. Luckily, I managed to overcome that irritation and returned to the level of enjoyment I had maintained during the first 2/3 of the novel. As a result, I ended up satisfied with the rest of the tale. Overall, I rate this as a 4-star book.

My ratings and ranking of the Rumer Godden novels I have read so far.
RATING-------NOVEL-----------
1) 5 stars - China Court
2) 4 stars - A Fugue in Time
3) 4 stars - The Greengage Summer
3) 4 stars - In This House of Brede
5) 4 stars- The Dark Horse
6) 4 stars - Black Narcissus
7) 3 stars - Kingfishers Catch Fire

I always love Rumer Godden.

I felt so happy at the end. A book filled with faith, awakenings, setbacks, joy, humor, gratitude, realness.

Loved It!!

While the language took a bit to get used to the storyline shone through and warms your heart. What a wonderful horse story

It provides the cultural clash of the English, Indians, and horse racing in Calcutta. Success can be achieved by the so called failures if the conditions are right for a second chance. Even those most compelled by greed can learn the virtue in giving.

I liked it. A horse, a jockey,(lad) and nuns all get a second chance.

3.5 stars, rounded up.

Do you believe in miracles? In answered prayer? Have you ever felt an accident or a twist of fate was God speaking to you or working for you? I have. So this book appealed to me, because everyone between the pages is working for God, whether he wants to or not.

The Dark Horse is actually a story about a race horse, Dark Invader. He is treated badly by a jockey and, as a result, loses his will to run to win in a race. Because of this, he is bought at a discount by a rich Indian and shipped from England to Calcutta and the stables of John Quillan. His groom, Ted Mullins, goes with him. Ted is a wonderfully drawn character, whose life is changed by his association with Dark Invader, but his is not the only life touched.

Near the race track is a convent where the Sisters of Poverty attempt to care for the old and homeless. To feed them, they make a rounds at night of all the restaurants, collecting the leftover food from the day’s business. They have one very old cart and one very old horse to make the collections in, and they pray for a miracle that comes in the guise of Dark Invader.

Godden’s characters are both interesting and well defined, but for me it is the atmosphere she creates in her depictions of India and its class structure that make this book captivating. She also obviously knows a lot about horse racing stables and the differences between racing in England and racing in Calcutta.

I have now read a good smattering of Godden’s work, and have found each book very different from its fellows. Although she is trying to accomplish something entirely different with this novel, I must admit that Kingfishers Catch Fire gave me an even better sense of India and the complexities of class structure than The Dark Horse did and In This House of Brede is a much more complex look at life within a nunnery.

In Godden's novels for adults, the atmosphere she creates is usually what carries them, and The Dark Horse is no exception. The world of Calcutta in the 30s, the slums, racecourses and animals, are all vivid. The story focuses on Dark Invader, a race-horse who has failed in England, but under the care of Ted Mullins, an elderly jockey, he comes to life. This is an idyllic story with few twists, but is very easy and light to read. A good book for a sleepless night.