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Broken Horses
- A Memoir
- Narrated by: Brandi Carlile
- Length: 10 hrs and 3 mins
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Broken Horses
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Publisher's Summary
Number-one New York Times best seller
The critically acclaimed singer-songwriter, producer, and six-time Grammy winner opens up about a life shaped by music in this candid, heartfelt, and intimate story.
“One of the great memoirs of our time...a gift from Brandi’s soul.” (Glennon Doyle)
“Brandi’s story is about perseverance, humor, forgiveness, and manifestation. I absolutely loved it.” (Elton John)
“Broken Horses led me right into Brandi’s heart, and my own.” (Brené Brown)
Brandi Carlile was born into a musically gifted, impoverished family on the outskirts of Seattle and grew up in a constant state of change, moving from house to house, trailer to trailer, 14 times in as many years. Though imperfect in every way, her dysfunctional childhood was as beautiful as it was strange, and as nurturing as it was difficult. At the age of five, Brandi contracted bacterial meningitis, which almost took her life, leaving an indelible mark on her formative years and altering her journey into young adulthood.
As an openly gay teenager, Brandi grappled with the tension between her sexuality and her faith when her pastor publicly refused to baptize her on the day of the ceremony. Shockingly, her small town rallied around Brandi in support and set her on a path to salvation where the rest of the misfits and rejects find it: through twisted, joyful, weird, and wonderful music.
In Broken Horses, Brandi Carlile takes listeners through the events of her life that shaped her very raw art - from her start at a local singing competition where she performed Elton John’s “Honky Cat” in a bedazzled white polyester suit, to her first break opening for Dave Matthews Band, to many sleepless tours over 15 years and six studio albums, all while raising two children with her wife, Catherine Shepherd. This hard-won success led her to collaborations with personal heroes like Elton John, Dolly Parton, Mavis Staples, Pearl Jam, Tanya Tucker, and Joni Mitchell, as well as her peers in the supergroup The Highwomen, and ultimately to the Grammy stage, where she converted millions of viewers into instant fans.
Evocative and piercingly honest, Broken Horses is at once an examination of faith through the eyes of a person rejected by the church’s basic tenets and a meditation on the moments and lyrics that have shaped the life of a creative mind, a brilliant artist, and a genuine empath on a mission to give back.
Carlile recorded new stripped-down, solo renditions of more than 30 of the songs featured in the book, including her own and songs from artists who’ve inspired her, from Dolly Parton to Elton John, Leonard Cohen and more, available exclusively on the audiobook:
“I Don’t Hurt Anymore” by Hank Snow
“Coat of Many Colors” by Dolly Parton
“Ride on Out” by Brandi Carlile
“Honky Cat” by Elton John and Bernie Taupin
“Philadelphia” by Neil Young
“Happy” by Brandi Carlile
“That Year” by Brandi Carlile
“Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen
“Eye of the Needle” by Brandi Carlile
“Turpentine” by Brandi Carlile
“Wasted” by Brandi Carlile
“The Story” by Brandi Carlile
“Closer to You” by Brandi Carlile
“Caroline” by Brandi Carlile
“Josephine” by Brandi Carlile
“Sugartooth” by Brandi Carlile
“Looking Out” by Brandi Carlile
“Beginning to Feel the Years” by Brandi Carlile
“Love Songs” by Brandi Carlile
“I Will” by Brandi Carlile
“I Belong to You” by Brandi Carlile
Critic Reviews
“A vulnerable document.... The resilience of her sense of self, through poverty and fame, is transcendent. One of her great strengths as an artist is a willingness to stare herself straight in the face and not flinch.” (Amanda Hess, The New York Times)
“[Carlile is] perceptive, vulnerable, humble, funny and above all else, a good storyteller. She’d already proven her storytelling chops as a lyricist and she proves them once again in these pages. She knows how to use a few words to make a big impact.... Readers walk away feeling like they know the real Carlile.” (Associated Press)
“Intimate...Carlile's story is too big to fit in a song..... The memoir covers it all with conversational ease.... This pulls the veil back in a way [Carlile] hadn’t done before.” (Vulture)
What listeners say about Broken Horses
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Nicholas
- 11-05-2021
What a work of art
Why on earth would you buy the hard copy of the book, when you can get a whole work of art in this audio recording? To have Brandi sing after each chapter, songs that you know and love, brings more meaning and layers to them. I feel to privileged to be given such an amazing gift.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Melanie Leighton
- 11-11-2021
Absolutely loved it!
Such an interesting story, so beautifully told, and the inclusion of the songs was magical! Loved it!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 09-07-2021
Heartfelt Genius
I am a huge fan of Brandi from her first CD and have followed her career wondering for years how the world hadn’t discovered her talent passion and artistic beauty! I am so glad she and the twins got their Grammy moment to shine I selfishly felt a little sad at losing being part of this “secret “ musical carpet ride.. the signed cds limited edition tshirts posters etc but I just feel proud that someone whose music had touched my life got to finally be seen by some many more . We need artists like Brandi and the twins and all the amazing people who still believe in the value of music and how important it is n people lives , how it can heal and help and leave a mark. I read this book and was blown away at Brandi’s personal story and loved having the insight to her thoughts and feelings because it just made me admire and respect her more. The. My friend sent me this audible copy as a gift as I am unwell and I spent the last two days listening. What a gift to not only hear her words in her own voice but to add all the musical moments just blew my heart wide open ! This is the first audible book I ever listened to and I’m not sure it will ever be beaten … I could not recommend it more and am so grateful to have had this time to listen and understand why I love their music , its human connection and it’s in my heart forever 🙏🏻 thanks Brandi I hope you make it to Melbourne one day I had tickets and hoped to finally see you live … that’s the dream … Andy 🌈❤️
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Mrs. Jaye Clarke
- 15-08-2022
Beautiful
An incredibly beautiful and raw story that allows the outside world to experience another’s heart, life, experiences, dreams and emotional struggles. The author’s love for God is felt throughout as is her passion for music and her delight for those who’s music has touched her, leaving their mark on her life. Brandi Carlisle tells her story not unlike lyrics that capture the listener both in poetic imagery and melodic tune. You can’t help but feel moved, to feel an embrace with God and others that inspire you to want to do the same. Maybe not as a musician but as a human being longing to connect and in doing so, experience more of the depth I believe we were created for. God’s heart shines from within her.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Suzanne Pang
- 24-07-2021
An intimate conversation
Some books read by their authors sound like they're read off the copy. Not this one. It feels as if she's talking directly to you, like as if you're sitting there at one of those Joni nights with Brandi sitting on the floor, leaning against an armchair, face illuminated by a crackling fire in the hearth.
The bonus (compared to a regular book) is the musical performances, instead of just lyrics.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 19-10-2022
Loved it!
Couldn’t stop listening! Great work of art with a combination of vulnerability, honesty and music.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Des
- 15-05-2023
A real story beautifully told, with wonderful music woven through
A genuinely moving insight into a life of music, love and ordinary things made extraordinary in the telling.
I’m relatively new to the music of Brandi Carlisle and her music and lyrics resonate.
I bought this book because of the music and continued to listen not just because it’s a bloody good story but because Brandi is the one telling it.
Worth reading/listening to, fan or not, aware of her music or not, for a decidedly human story that sings to the soul. Loved it❣️
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Vivi
- 24-01-2022
Magnificent
I am out of words for the experience of this book. If the story wasn’t already so poetic and inspiring, it is also read by the author who just gives us the pleasure to also listen to her singing as if she was in my living room. One of the best experiences I have had on audible.
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1 person found this helpful
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- barbara
- 03-05-2021
loved loved loved it
i could listen to it again already. With music at the end of chapters makes for a memorable experience
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- Italia
- 02-10-2021
This book is sacred!
I loved this book, I didn’t know Brandi’s music before I read it (thank you Glennon Doyle for the intro!). It is so raw, it’s filled with authenticity. Highly recommend it because not only is it narrated, Brandi shares her music. ♥️♥️♥️
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