Horse Heaven

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK • An “irresistible [and] beautifully braided tale” (The Wall Street Journal) that spans two years in the lives of thoroughbred breeders and trainers—and of the horses themselves—from the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of A Thousand Acres

“[A] wise, spirited novel . . . Smiley plumbs the wondrously strange world of horse racing.”—People

“[Smiley is] one of the premier novelists of her generation, possessed of a mystery of craft and an uncompromising vision.”—The Washington Post

“It’s not true,” says a character in Jane Smiley’s funny, passionate, and brilliant novel of horse racing, “that anything can happen at the racetrack,” but many astonishing and affecting things do—and in Horse Heaven, we find them woven into a marvelous tapestry of joy and love, trickery, folly, greed, and heroism.

Millionaire owners risk more than money. Canny horsemen (and women) learn more than they bargained for. Young girls experience their first innocent love for the beautiful animals. And the horses—nervous or cocky, lucky or doomed—take the hapless, hopeful humans on one very wild ride.

Hailed by Salon as “a remarkable achievement,” Horse Heaven is a sprawling masterpiece that revels in the desire and chance that is horse racing.

A LOS ANGELES TIMES BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR • FINALIST FOR THE ORANGE PRIZE

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs