Plainsong is a heartstrong story of family and romance, tribulation and tenacity, set on the High Plains east of Denver. In the small town of Holt, Colorado, a high school teacher is confronted with raising his two boys alone after their mother retreats first to the bedroom, then altogether. A teenage girl -- her father long since disappeared, her mother unwilling to have her in the house -- is pregnant and alone, with nowhere to go. And out in the country, two brothers, elderly bachelors, work the family homestead, the ...
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Plainsong is a heartstrong story of family and romance, tribulation and tenacity, set on the High Plains east of Denver. In the small town of Holt, Colorado, a high school teacher is confronted with raising his two boys alone after their mother retreats first to the bedroom, then altogether. A teenage girl -- her father long since disappeared, her mother unwilling to have her in the house -- is pregnant and alone, with nowhere to go. And out in the country, two brothers, elderly bachelors, work the family homestead, the only world they've ever known. From these unsettled lives emerges a vision of life, and of the town and landscape that bind them together -- their fates somehow overcoming the powerful circumstances of place and station, their confusion, curiosity, dignity, and humor intact and resonant. As he chronicles four generations, Kent Haruf displays an emotional and aesthetic authority to rival the past masters of a classic American tradition. Utterly true to the rhythms and patterns of life, Plainsong is a novel to care about, believe in, and learn from.
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One of my favorites. I go back to it again and again for inspiration. I will read every novel he writes until he's done writing.
michael s
Jul 8, 2010
Great characters
Several stories entertwined around a search for love, support and caring. The characters, the older brothers, the young girl, the caring friend, all combine for memorable scenes filled with both the good and the bad of the human condition. The writing pace was leisurely but not boring. You fell in love, in like or in dislike with each character. The scene where a crib is selected for the yet unborn was touching. This is a great read for someone looking to get into characters and to experience emotions flowing from the written page.
sooz
Aug 14, 2008
soulwarming
asked my brother, the bookseller, for his recommendation a couple of summers back, and this was it. i took it home and savored every morsel of scene, personality, and interaction. just a lovely, satisfying read put together in an intriguing and comforting way. had to go back the next day for "eventide", the continuation of the pleasure.
kriskringle
May 17, 2007
A Hymn to Humanity
Kent Haruf, who I had the pleasure of meeting at a writers workshop, has written an elegant novel depicting the complexities of life in a small plains town.Perhaps he could have chosen mid town Manhattan but a small town has its graces and everyone knows each others stories. The descriptions of characters and Kent's writing style,plain and articulate, draw the reader into each chapter and every dramatic scene. I dont want to ruin the the plot or dealve into individual characters but I couldnt put the book down. A wonderful read especially for your Summer reading lists. I cant wait to read his next novel!
