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  • Broken Horses

  • A Memoir
  • Written by: Brandi Carlile
  • Narrated by: Brandi Carlile
  • Length: 10 hrs and 3 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (178 ratings)

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Broken Horses

Written by: Brandi Carlile
Narrated by: Brandi Carlile
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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

©2021 Random House Audio (P)2021 Random House Audio

What the critics say

“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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Binge-Worthy

A binge-worthy read! Brandi’s story is captivating from start to finish and her narration is powerfully steady and wise. You can’t help but adore her.

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A mix of humour, emotions and celebration

Broken Horses -- I found this audio book by chance listening to Brandi being interviewed...I think on the Ellen show. It was truly so perfect for the current situation we are in and brought me a nice mix of humor, emotion and joy from her singing at the end of each Chapter. I will definitely listen to this again! Spectacular!!

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  • Amy
  • 2021-04-29

A misfit amount of stars

Amazing memoire-ish. Just finished and I couldn’t stop listening. Starting chapter 1 for the second go around right now. This book has all the things needed to truly step into yourself.
Loved it !

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A lovely book to unwind with

Bonus tracks were gorgeous to listen to. Nice to hear Brandi tell her own story.

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Such a treat

Having Brandi tell her story about growing up in her family impoverished and loved. The musical journey and her coming out, so unpretentious and real.
The music tracks throughout and at the end are such a treat to the ears and my heart. Thank you !

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Her Generosity Abounds

I loved this autobiography, the story, the reader and the music. I had never heard of Brandi Carlisle until she hosted Joni Mitchell at the Norfolk Folk Festival ... so I was curious. What a generous human being - voice, life story and values touched me deeply. Thank you Ms. Carlisle

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Beautiful Memoir

I loved memoir and I’m so glad I listened to the audio version. Hearing Brandi tell her story and the vast amount of music included in the audio make it the logical choice.

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Loved it!

Fantastic! I was already a fan and the music was a bonus to the heart warming storytelling.

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  • NKH
  • 2021-05-20

AMAZING

Brandi’s Grandma was right, she is a very special person. Thanks to Brandi for openly and beautifully share her life story so far. Loved the book and sad it had to end.

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I was already a fan but now...

I have listened to BC since early 2000’s and now listening to her story in her voice completely takes my respect for her to a deeper meaning. Love the way her music is spread throughout the book and the at the end ....thanks so much for this

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