Horse Heaven (novel)

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Horse Heaven
AuthorJane Smiley
CountryUSA
LanguageEnglish
PublisherKnopf
Publication date
April 6, 2000
Pages576
ISBN0-375-40600-X

Horse Heaven is a novel by American author Jane Smiley, published in 2000 by Knopf. It was shortlisted for the 2001 Women's Prize for Fiction.

Background[edit]

Smiley, a lover of horses since childhood, used the proceeds of her first novel, A Thousand Acres, to buy a small horse farm in California, which inspired Horse Heaven.[1]

Summary[edit]

The plot focuses on various figures involved in horse racing across two seasons. Both humans and horses appear as characters.

Reception[edit]

Horse Heaven was well received by critics. Writing for the LA Times, Pam Houston spoke favorably of Smiley's ambitious "narrative balancing act".[2]

The Guardian's Phillip Hensher praised the book's prose and dialogue, stating that Smiley "has started to look like the best living American novelist."[3]

Kirkus Reviews gave a positive view of the novel, commenting Smiley's work-ethic and "gift for transmuting the products of her obviously extensive research into compelling fiction.[4] In a starred review, Publishers Weekly said Horse Heaven was a "highly readable novel".[5]

Booklist reviewed both the novel and audiobook,[6] providing the former a starred review.[7]

Awards[edit]

Horse Heaven was shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction in 2001.[8]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Minzesheimer, Haukebo, Bob, Kirsten (April 15, 2000). "And they're off: Horses race into novels". Star-Gazette. Elmira, New York. Archived from the original on September 6, 2023. Retrieved September 6, 2023.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ Houston, Pam (April 30, 2000). "Calling Mr. Ed". LA Times. Archived from the original on September 5, 2023. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  3. ^ Hensher, Phillip (June 4, 2023). "Saddle lore". The Guardian. Archived from the original on September 5, 2023. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  4. ^ "Horse Heaven". Kirkus Reviews. March 1, 2000. Archived from the original on September 4, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  5. ^ "Horse Heaven". Publishers Weekly. April 3, 2000. Archived from the original on September 4, 2023. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  6. ^ "Horse Heaven". Booklist. March 1, 2001. Archived from the original on September 8, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  7. ^ "Horse Heaven". Booklist. February 15, 2000. Archived from the original on September 8, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  8. ^ "Horse Heaven". Women's Prize for Fiction. Archived from the original on September 5, 2023. Retrieved September 6, 2023.

External links[edit]

Horse Heaven at Penguin Random House