The Dark Horse

* featured on Virago.co.uk

From the esteemed author of Black Narcissus and The Diddakoi comes the classic story of Dark Invader, a powerful racehorse who wins the hearts of India's people.

By the author of Black Narcissus and The Diddakoi comes the moving tale of Dark Invader, a powerful racehorse.

'[Godden's] distinctive, poised and unsentimental books have never lost a shred of their almost hypnotic appeal' ROSIE THOMAS, GUARDIAN

'One of our best and most captivating novelists' PHILIP HENSHER

'[Godden has] a genius for storytelling' EVENING STANDARD

'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.'

In Calcutta, India, John Quillan cares for racehorses belonging to wealthy owners, and Mother Morag, who lives just down the road and leads a group of nuns working with Calcutta's poor, loves to watch these beautiful animals in action.

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?

Follow Dark Invader's journey, now available as a Virago Modern Classic.