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Discover the remarkable journey of Lara Prior-Palmer’s unexpected triumph in the world’s most challenging equestrian event, the Mongol Derby, in this gripping memoir that retraces Genghis Khan’s historic route across Mongolia. Embark on a captivating journey of self-discovery that secured its spot in the Richard and Judy Book Club and won the Stanford Travel Writing Awards 2020. It was also shortlisted for the prestigious William Hill Prize 2019.
Described as ‘addictive and likeable…one of the best memoirs of the year’ by The Telegraph, Rough Magic defies traditional narratives and stereotypes, making it a unique and compelling read. Sarah Moss from The Guardian praises it for undermining ‘lazy women-in-the-wilderness tropes at every turn.’ Entertainment Weekly equates it to a blend of ‘Educated’ and ‘Wild’, while the Daily Mail hails it as ‘transporting, beguiling and terrifically entertaining’.
The Mongol Derby is renowned as the world’s most gruelling horse race. This formidable challenge across the vast Mongolian plains, once travelled by Genghis Khan’s army, requires competitors to ride 25 horses across a staggering distance of 1000km. Many riders do not reach the finish line.
In 2013, at just nineteen years old and woefully underprepared, Lara Prior-Palmer decided to enter the race. Propelled by an insatiable desire for the unknown, a stubborn nature, and a lifelong passion for horses, she raced for seven days through scorching heat and terrifying storms, catching a few hours of sleep at the homes of nomadic families. Despite battling illness and dehydration, exhaustion, and bruising falls, she had nothing to lose and pushed on with her diverse team of horses.
In one of the Derby’s most surprising outcomes, Lara became the youngest-ever champion and the first woman to win the race. Rough Magic is not just an adventurous tale