Shrimp Harris Author:Colin Davy Though the main character of the story is a successful flat-race jockey in the 1920's, its interest does not depend upon the thrills of the races he rides. Every one is familiar with the little men in silken jackets on the racecourse, but very little is known of their 'off-stage' lives. The setting - this peep behind the scenes - is interesting ... more »if only for its rarity: but it is the character of one of these little men, and how it is shaped by the people and events of his private life which makes the book remarkable.
Shrimp Harris was ill-educated, vain and ambitious; a born 'showman' and wildly extravagant. But he was intelligent, generous, brave as a lion on occasions, and could charm people as he could all horses. He could love deeply, but also betray. His nature was to play fair, but he could also cheat.
This book is a deep and searching study of a man's character, and so faithfully drawn that whether you like racing or not, you cannot help loving Shrim Harris.« less