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Rough Magic

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Rough Magic

By: Lara Prior-Palmer
Narrated by: Tamaryn Payne
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About this listen

Penguin presents the audiobook edition of Rough Magic written by Lara Prior-Palmer, read by Tamaryn Payne.

The Mongol Derby is the world’s toughest horse race. A feat of endurance across the vast Mongolian plains once traversed by the people of Genghis Khan, competitors ride 25 horses across a distance of 1000km. Many riders don’t make it to the finish line.

In 2013 Lara Prior-Palmer – nineteen, underprepared but seeking the great unknown – decided to enter the race. Driven by her own restlessness, stubbornness, and a lifelong love of horses, she raced for seven days through extreme heat and terrifying storms, catching a few hours of sleep where she could at the homes of nomadic families. Battling bouts of illness and dehydration, exhaustion and bruising falls, she found she had nothing to lose, and tore through the field with her motley crew of horses. In one of the Derby’s most unexpected results, she became the youngest-ever champion and the first woman to win the race.

A tale of adventure, fortitude and poetry, Rough Magic is the extraordinary story of one young woman’s encounter with oblivion, and herself.

©2019 Lara Prior-Palmer (P)2019 Penguin Audio Equestrian Sports Horse Racing Sports Animal Sports Racing Adventure

Critic reviews

"[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)

All stars
Most relevant
Knowing the ending from the start but still full of suspense and excitement. Fantastic story despite already being told that she won the race.

Entranced by the language. Beautifully told.

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I met Lara at a book festival in 2019. She was utterly eccentric, warm and wonderful. I bought her book then. I have just been following the progress of the 2022 Mongol Derby and thought I would revisit Rough Magic in audiobook form. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Great little adventure

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I enjoyed the internal and external journey that Ms Prior-Palmer takes the listener on. She uses poetic descriptions and vivid vocabulary to take one across the plains of Mongolia in her gruelling but fascinating horse race. The reading was lively and a pleasure to listen to.

I only gave it four stars as there was some swearing which detracted from an otherwise excellent book.

Loved it!

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Wow... what an adventure!! Definitely inspiring and one for my kids when they are older!

Lara’s writing style does jump around a bit, weaving in her back-story and revealing glimpses of the future, but it works well. I would have liked more detail on the riding/Mongolia/people and more observations/commentary by other people about her, but the story skips along at a good pace and keeps you wanting more.

My only criticism is that family & friends needed more rounding out. Recollections came over a bit one sided, which left me hoping no bridges were burned in an effort to tell her story.

Overall, a fascinating and remarkable effort by someone so young!!

Well ridden & well written, Lara... keep adventuring and writing. I look forward to more!!

What a ride!!

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Loved this, the honesty, bravery and self awareness of Lara. Brilliantly told and a lovely narration.

Heartfelt & honest, as well as light & observant

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