Born as his mother died, Karel Scala only feels comfortable in the saddle. Set in rural Texas from 1890-1924, we follow Scala through adolescence, yearning for the love of his father, who is embittered by the loss of his wife. Scala’s skill at horseback riding, coupled with his father’s addiction to gambling, create the buildup to Scala’s high-stakes loss of the family farm in a race. Then, a fast-forward to adulthood shows him trying to make amends with his spiteful brothers and reclaim his life.

Tonight, Machart breathes life into his words with a reading; a signing follows.

Bruce Machart @ King’s English, 1511 S. 1500 East, 801-484-9100, Nov. 11, 7 p.m., free. KingsEnglish.com.