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Mark Porton's Reviews > Plainsong
Plainsong (Plainsong, #1)
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Plainsong by Kent Haruf
Trying to think of one word to describe this book � I would say “Brooding�.
After about twenty pages I decided this was a book I needed to read slowly and deliberately. It was a slow burning, moody piece of work which made me feel. For what this book lacks in dialogue, it makes up for in atmosphere, space and anticipation.
There’s only a handful of characters, each wonderfully portrayed by the author. My favourites were poor little Victoria Roubideaux and the McPherons.
How could anyone one not feel for this young girl? The cards she had been dealt, the choices she made and the fascinating journey she takes us on in this book � her journey. There were parts of her story that made me feel sorry for her and some that just made me feel helpless as her tale of woe unfolded.
Whereas the McPheron brothers, these odd isolated old men were surprisingly central to this story. Some of their conversations with each other were hilarious such as when Harold was comparing Victoria to a two-year-old calf-carrying heifer with regards to sleeping patterns. Raymond was dumbfounded.
I’ve read many terrific books over the years but this one is right up there. It engendered similar feelings to those I felt when I read The Grapes of Wrath, which is perhaps my all-time favourite.
5 Stars
Trying to think of one word to describe this book � I would say “Brooding�.
After about twenty pages I decided this was a book I needed to read slowly and deliberately. It was a slow burning, moody piece of work which made me feel. For what this book lacks in dialogue, it makes up for in atmosphere, space and anticipation.
There’s only a handful of characters, each wonderfully portrayed by the author. My favourites were poor little Victoria Roubideaux and the McPherons.
How could anyone one not feel for this young girl? The cards she had been dealt, the choices she made and the fascinating journey she takes us on in this book � her journey. There were parts of her story that made me feel sorry for her and some that just made me feel helpless as her tale of woe unfolded.
Whereas the McPheron brothers, these odd isolated old men were surprisingly central to this story. Some of their conversations with each other were hilarious such as when Harold was comparing Victoria to a two-year-old calf-carrying heifer with regards to sleeping patterns. Raymond was dumbfounded.
I’ve read many terrific books over the years but this one is right up there. It engendered similar feelings to those I felt when I read The Grapes of Wrath, which is perhaps my all-time favourite.
5 Stars
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message 1:
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Candi
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rated it 5 stars
Apr 07, 2020 06:37AM
A wonderful review, Mark. I agree this book ranks right up there at the top. Those McPheron brothers - I wonder what they'd have to say about the state of our world right now?!
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Mark,I'm smiling. You have filled my heart with joy and I can NOT wait for you to read Eventide now. Just jump right in, sir. There's no time to waste.
Fine review, thank you.
To Candi: what a clever thought, to wonder what the McPheron brothers would think of this situation we're in. They'd probably study it and ponder it for a long while before stating any opinion, and then stay on the ranch, scratching their heads.
Wonderful review Mark!
Julie wrote: "To Candi: what a clever thought, to wonder what the McPheron brothers would think of this situation we're in. They'd probably study it and ponder it for a long while before stating any opinion, and..."Julie, I think you are quite right! I certainly imagined them scratching their heads! I wish I could hide away on their ranch with them :)
Me, too.Certain aspects of this crisis we needed to act on, quickly, and other things, like, say, perhaps. . . online schooling. . . could maybe have unfolded more slowly. Lots of tears of frustration at my house, and probably a lot less at the McPheron household!
Candi wrote: "A wonderful review, Mark. I agree this book ranks right up there at the top. Those McPheron brothers - I wonder what they'd have to say about the state of our world right now?!"Thanks again Candi - ha, I reckon they'd have a good think about it over the kitchen table and stare at the newspaper for a while :-)).....I love those blokes!
Julie wrote: "Mark,I'm smiling. You have filled my heart with joy and I can NOT wait for you to read Eventide now. Just jump right in, sir. There's no time to waste."
Thanks so much for the recommendation Julie, wasn't just the rec it was your enthusiasm that sealed it - I love the fact I'm onto this author now, thx to you :-))
Julie wrote: "Mark,I'm smiling. You have filled my heart with joy and I can NOT wait for you to read Eventide now. Just jump right in, sir. There's no time to waste."
BTW Julie, I have just jumped back to Nick Alexander before reading the Eventide, want to make sure I don't over do it - I did that a bit with Elizabeth Strout!!
@julie and @candi - great discussion, I love the image of the brothers scratching their heads having a think - sometimes we need to do a bit more of that. Aren't they a heartwarming, kind couple of old men?
Karen wrote: "Wonderful review Mark!"Cheers Karen :-)
Karen wrote: "Wonderful review Mark!"Thx so much Ken :-)
Mark,I intentionally haven't read My Name is Lucy Barton because then I'll only have one other Strout book awaiting me, that I haven't read, so I do understand the proper placements of reads!
Julie wrote: "Me, too.Certain aspects of this crisis we needed to act on, quickly, and other things, like, say, perhaps. . . online schooling. . . could maybe have unfolded more slowly. Lots of tears of frustra..."
Julie, I'm guessing the McPheron brothers wouldn't be pulling their hair out over common core mathematics or AP Chemistry! In fact, I have a hunch they'd drag the kiddos out to the barn and teach them something useful! :D
Mark - sorry for tying up your thread with this! This is a frequent bad habit of ours ;D
Candi,What man wouldn't love two women chatting it up on his review, topics ranging from how amazing Kent Haruf's writing is to how ghastly online school is?
Thank you for helping me gain perspective on my life by writing the words "AP Chemistry." I now know where we're headed for our shared big birthdays: Purgatory.
Julie, I'll let Mark answer your question ;) As far as AP Chemistry, my knowledge of 5 or 6 elements doesn't seem to quite cut it according to my daughter. I'm completely helpless! Purgatory... what do I need to pack for that trip? ;)
Good word, brooding is exactly how I would describe his writing
@candi and @julie - more than happy to see a lively thread!!......oh and Chemistry is lots of fun!!
Chavelli wrote: "Good word, brooding is exactly how I would describe his writing"Thanks Chavelli, It took me a while to get that word - as close as I could get I think, had a real mood about it from page one!!
You sum up this novel beautifully Mark ........ it was a lovely read, with some beautifully drawn, unforgettable characters :)
Thanks so much Richard, much appreciated, looking forward to the next 2 in the series - have you read them too?
Mark wrote: "Thanks so much Richard, much appreciated, looking forward to the next 2 in the series - have you read them too?"I haven’t yet .......... although they sound like books to savour.
There are so many books and genres I want to read that it takes me ages to get back to sequels. I’m looking forward to these though :)
How are things with you ......... are you and Australia in complete lockdown?
I'm okay mate, am working in the lab so things are nuts therefore a bit tired. Otherwise we stay at home, walk the dog and shop when needed. It's all a bit all-consuming though. How are you travelling??
Mark wrote: "I'm okay mate, am working in the lab so things are nuts therefore a bit tired. Otherwise we stay at home, walk the dog and shop when needed. It's all a bit all-consuming though. How are you travell..."We’re ok thanks. I teach guitar at home so obviously that’s dried up. My wife works in a doctors surgery so still works as normal.
Everything is quiet though. Seagulls have taken over the nearby industrial estate and all feels very strange. A bizarre Easter!
For me, a good book starts where the dialogue ends. In many cases, except some classics, - the presence of the dialogue merely masks the author's inability to paint ( literarly) - the characters, which inevitably leads to the impossibility of the reader to be robbed of his own imagination. Paradoxically, it may seem the opposite, but I think this depends on the complexity of the reader.
It's just a opinion, the people have his own " complexity"...
Theodor wrote: "For me, a good book starts where the dialogue ends. In many cases, except some classics, - the presence of the dialogue merely masks the author's inability to paint ( literarly) - the characters, w..."Thanks Theodore, that's an interesting perspective - I had to read it a few times!! But got there in the end and know exactly what you're on about. I think this book nailed the characters - do you agree?
I don't know, I only read your re, which finally makes a good recommendation for the book .At least, for me.
Theodor wrote: "I don't know, I only read your re, which finally makes a good recommendation for the book .At least, for me."Well if you read it, hope you like it!
Beata wrote: "Grand review, Mark :))"Thanks again Beata, it's a classic book I reckon - loved it!!
Lovely review, and as you say, a book to savour, slowly.
Cecily wrote: "Lovely review, and as you say, a book to savour, slowly."Thanks again Cecily, I suppose I dont have much choice - not being a particularly fast reader, but yes - I loved it. I'll have to check out your reviews a bit later :-)
![Terence M - [Quot libros, quam breve tempus!]](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1712357414p1/6658001.jpg)
Sounds like this one got to you, Mark. A great review, mate!
Thanks Terry, absolutely mate. I would recommend anything written by Kent Haruf and this series of 3 was purely magical 🙂👍🏻
message 38:
by
Terence M - [Quot libros, quam breve tempus!]
(last edited May 27, 2021 11:57PM)
(new)
Mark wrote: "Thanks Terry, absolutely mate. I would recommend anything written by Kent Haruf and this series of 3 was purely magical 🙂👍🏻"Thank you, Mark. Unfortunately Audible Aust doesn't have Plainsong #1 available, but they have #2 Eventide and #3 Benediction. Would I be missing anything important if I listened to Eventide out of sequence?
Terence M wrote: "Mark wrote: "Thanks Terry, absolutely mate. I would recommend anything written by Kent Haruf and this series of 3 was purely magical 🙂👍🏻"Thank you, Mark. Unfortunately Audible Aust doesn't have P..."
Hey Terry, you know what mate - I think it does matter, they do flow from one to the other :))
Mark wrote: "Hey Terry, you know what mate - I think it does matter, they do flow from one to the other :))..."Thanks Mark, I will hunt down an audio copy of #1 - good advice, mate, thank you!
No problems Terry, it really is a wonderful series
Mark, I love this one too! It's moving without being sentimental as we see the characters getting on with their lives through the grief and disappointments as well as the joys and hopes, as we all must do.
Lisa wrote: "Mark, I love this one too! It's moving without being sentimental as we see the characters getting on with their lives through the grief and disappointments as well as the joys and hopes, as we all ..."Sorry it's taken me months to get back to you Lisa - BUT you said it beautifully "moving without being sentimental".......certainly worth a re-read at some stage!
Kevin wrote: "Another fab review, Mark!"Thanks for your kind comments again Kevin!!! Hope all is good mate :))
