Broken Horses
A Memoir
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Broken Horses
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Narrated by:
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Brandi Carlile
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Written by:
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Brandi Carlile
About this listen
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
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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
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Maureen Madigan
- 2021-05-31
Outstanding Memoir
This memoir is outstanding . It is like no other. Brandi is a true story teller. Like a great writer,Brandi shows us ,not tells us the story of her life. The music is beautiful , extensive and generous. It was interesting to hear the story behind the lyrics or how an album was recorded in the studio. This book gave me a lot to think about .
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jeannie
- 2021-04-22
So good.
I don’t dig deeply into myself whilst reading many books. Other than the musically talented bit, I relate a ton with Brandi’s story. Brandi’s reflections on her past, relationships, Jesus and desire to be present strikes a chord. From the beginning few chapters to the very end, I some how thought her story was all of our’s. Music speaks so loudly and is so relevant through our lives, it’s like a vein that keeps the blood safely flowing though the body and back to the heart. So good. I know she won’t see her self as a hero, but I believe she will be a hero to some, just like Joni Mitchell, Elton John or John Prine are to her. I physically read the book this week and then listened to Brandi read it here...the acoustic music was an extra treat!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- dewartracey
- 2021-05-15
Raw, honest and inspiring.
Thank you Brandi. I hung on your every word. I hope that one day I can see myself as clearly as you see yourself. I am inspired to try and write my story too.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- V
- 2022-04-17
Superb
I was sad when this book ended as it was such a mix of fine storytelling and music. It’s always a bonus when the artist/writer narrates their own story, but the real magic was when Brandi ended the chapters with acoustic versions of songs that relate to the concept covered in the chapter. This book answered so many of my questions snd curiosities and gave me a peek into Brandi’s awesome life and world. She is an entertainer on the stage and on the page. A must for any fan.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Geoff C.
- 2023-05-19
Beautiful!!!!
Sooo beautifully told and her voice is like butta! And she sings throughout, what a real treat this was. Thank you Brandi! Forever a big fan xo
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kelly Sarlo
- 2021-06-28
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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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Bonnie Grogan
- 2021-05-17
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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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- 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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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- VH8429
- 2022-06-28
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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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jo Morrison
- 2022-08-06
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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