Horse Heaven Audiobook (Unabridged)

" This is an enjoyable read and, once again, Jane Smiley juggles many characters and plot lines expertly. If you love horses and/or horse racing, this novel is an exceptional pleasure to read. "

" Insightful writer who says it like you feel but never seems to be able to say yourself. Creative story. Not much character resolution. "

" Even if you aren't a horse girl like me, this is an incredible book. One of those books that makes you feel like you're living in the story. "

" Lush language that goes over the top at times, Smiley layers a dense narrative over a fascinating world. "

" Brilliant! Best book I've ever read. So insightful, with both horses and people. LOVED IT! "

" one of my favorites, second time I am reading it. One takes away a real sense to the passion for thoroughbreds and racing amongst a wide assortment of devotees. "

" Delicious satire about the world of horse racing. Eileen the dog is one of my all-time favorite characters. Ever. "

" She's a wordy writer, be warned. But if you love horses, and enjoy stories where the horses are on the page almost as much as the humans, give this a try. A lot of people to keep track of, and a lot of horses to feel sympathy for, but a wild ride. Strongly recommended. "

" Good read, actually think your a horse when you read this book. "

" I enjoyed this but I do remember wishing it was more about the horses than the people. "

" A Soap Opera of a book about horses, but the quality is all there. Similar to a multi-stranded Hollywood film with some of the Horses and characters more arresting than others.I keep dipping into this book and I am always entertained. The story of Just a Bob is worth the read in it's own right. "

" A book my sister gave me 8 years ago, but one of the very very very few I can read over and over. Myriad characters, both human and four-legged. I really really like this book. "

" This is fast and funny and full of information about horses and racing. Best character of all is the Jack Russell ! "

" I'm not mad about the world of horse-racing but this was compelling. Lots of intertwined lives to follow. Even though it is a big fat book it kept me hooked. And amazingly Smiley manages to get across the alien point of view of some of the horses, too, without being twee...just strange. "

" Smiley loves horses deeply enough to ceate a story where horses are strong characers. I enjoyed the racing action, lives of owners and trainers- the excitement of the world revolving around racehorses. Jane Smiley rarely disappoints and inspired me to write. "

" An interesting inside picture of the horse racing world. "

" You don't have to be a horse lover to enjoy this book - it's just simply a good story! I love a long book and this is a lovely one! "

" I loved this book. I l enjoyed all the characters. People and horses. "

" One of my favorite books. Just finished reading it for the second time, and I never re-read books. Even if you aren't a horse person this is a beautifully written, almost poetic novel. "

" For someone like me who was interested but knew nothing about the world of thoroughbred horse racing, this was a fascinating book. Different points of view were covered, including the expected trainer, owner, etc. (great characters), but the horses themselves were also characters. I read it twice. "

" Decent sentimental page turner about the racing industry. I like how this novel not only tracks the success of it's characters, both human and equine but also their failures...in doing this it gives an insight into the flaws of the racing industry as well as it's glories. "

" Another book by Smiley, this time a novel chronicling life on the racetrack from all vantage points. Well-written and intriguing thus far... "

" A great horsey read for grown-ups about American racing; good characterisation of both horses and humans. "

" I loved this book. It was written from the perspective of horse owners and horses. As a previous horse owner, I found it fascinating. My horse was a barrel racer and liked to be "first" when we would trail ride. She gets the whole horse thought and behavior thing for real. It was a great read. "

" One of Jane's very best! "

" Liking this although it isn't holding my interest like A Thousand Acres did. Love the horses thoughts... "

" She's a wordy writer, be warned. But if you love horses, and enjoy stories where the horses are on the page almost as much as the humans, give this a try. A lot of people to keep track of, and a lot of horses to feel sympathy for, but a wild ride. Strongly recommended. "

" Difficult to read --about horse racing--stopped reading 3/4 of the way. "

" You don't have to be a horse lover to enjoy this book - it's just simply a good story! I love a long book and this is a lovely one! "

" Multi-faceted and drily humorous - not just for horse lovers. "

" one of the best books I ever read. I am in the horse business and she captured every aspect perfectly! "

" The story continually switches from one character to another in the horse world, which I found a tiresome device. "

" I loved it. Very accurate story about the horse tracing world.. "

" I absolutely loved this book and the fact that Jane Smiley could give voice to the horses. I was brought up in horse racing, so I don't know if that's why I felt a connection to this book, or if those who know nothing of the sport can enjoy it too. Really great characters. "

" This is a wonderful book about all the freaks involved in horse land. I enjoyed it. "

" A great story, highly recommended for any horse lovers out there. It delves into the life of horse racing in an interesting way. "

" OK, so I'm horse crazy, but I loved getting lost in the equine world this book describes. I've read it twice and will probably read it again. "

" Jane Smiley says this is her favorite of her books, and I enjoyed it too. "

" This was an awful book...I read to page 155 trying to give it a chance but it had way too many characters and every chapter was a page and a half then switching the characters, absolutely no flow...sorry but to the glue factory it must go! "