Horse Heaven (novel)

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
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.

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

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

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."

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. In a starred review, Publishers Weekly said Horse Heaven was a "highly readable novel".

Booklist reviewed both the novel and audiobook, providing the former a starred review.

Awards
Horse Heaven was shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction in 2001.