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Will Byrnes's Reviews > Plainsong
Plainsong (Plainsong, #1)
by
Kent Haruf - 1943 - 2014 - image from the New York Times - photo credit - Michael Lionstar
Victoria Robideaux is 17 and pregnant. Her mother throws her out and she is taken in, for a time, by the kindly Maggie Jones. But Maggie’s old father is off his rocker and this makes for a dangerous household for Vicky. She winds up with two brothers, Raymond and Harold McPheron, sheltered gentlemen who have spent their entire lives working the same ranch in the home in which they grew up. The love that springs up in this makeshift family is a glory to behold. Dark forces abide in the town as well, and are given their due attention. But it is a very human town that Haruf portrays. The writing is beautiful and spare. This is a work of art.
Other Kent Haruf books we have enjoyed
-----Our Souls at Night
-----Benediction
-----Eventide
by
Kent Haruf - 1943 - 2014 - image from the New York Times - photo credit - Michael Lionstar
Victoria Robideaux is 17 and pregnant. Her mother throws her out and she is taken in, for a time, by the kindly Maggie Jones. But Maggie’s old father is off his rocker and this makes for a dangerous household for Vicky. She winds up with two brothers, Raymond and Harold McPheron, sheltered gentlemen who have spent their entire lives working the same ranch in the home in which they grew up. The love that springs up in this makeshift family is a glory to behold. Dark forces abide in the town as well, and are given their due attention. But it is a very human town that Haruf portrays. The writing is beautiful and spare. This is a work of art.
Other Kent Haruf books we have enjoyed
-----Our Souls at Night
-----Benediction
-----Eventide
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Reading Progress
Started Reading
November 1, 2004
–
Finished Reading
October 29, 2008
– Shelved
June 9, 2018
– Shelved as:
fiction
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Cecily
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rated it 5 stars
Dec 07, 2015 02:04PM
Yes, yes, yes: "spare" and "art". Perfect.
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Haruf is a delight. His subsequent novels continue to demonstrate his singular talent for looking at families, whether biological or constructed.
It is a wonderful book
I love beautiful and spare writing. :) It pulls you toward its scenery and story in a way that most other books do not. Thanks for the great review, I'll add it to my to-read list. Happy New Year! :)
Will wrote: "This is a work of art.I completely agree!!
Beautiful review of a beautifully told story - simple, nuanced prose with deeply glowing embers of feeling. It's my favorite of his. Thanks for reminding me of its grace.
Thanks, Renata. This was my introduction to Haru, and I stayed with him from then until the end.
Rebbie wrote: "I love beautiful and spare writing. :) It pulls you toward its scenery and story in a way that most other books do not. Thanks for the great review, I'll add it to my to-read list. Happy New Year! :)"Thanks, Rebbie. And Happy New Year to you, too!
Me too, It really is wonderful.
spare&art important to this story
Wonderful review, Will. I simply adored this book!
Thanks, Margitte. It really is a jewel of a book.
I have to believe this was a conscious effort to make the review reflect the book -- beautiful and spare. By that criterion, you'll forgive me if I skip any review you might do of Heidegger's Being and Time.
sein oder nicht sein, oops, gotta go, no time to finish
Loved all books in this trilogy, they were favorites for me.
I really need to read this! Great review, Will!Happy New Year!
Kent Haruf if on my list of Authors to visit in 2017. Thank you for this beautiful review.
Thank you, Kenny, Dosha and Deanna. Happy New Year!
I’ve read this book years ago and read our souls at night this year. I had no idea it was the same author 😆
Have you discovered David RhodesJewelweed?
Safa wrote: "I’ve read this book years ago and read our souls at night this year. I had no idea it was the same author 😆"He sets many of his stories in the town of Holt, CO. There is some continuity from book to book.
Sheridan wrote: "Have you discovered David RhodesJewelweed?"
I have not heard if that writer
Big fan of his writing.
Ditto
Well said Will. One of my favorite authors.
Thanks, Jan
I am currently reading this book and am close to finishing it. Cannot agree more with your review. Such a great read.
I’ve read and loved all of Haruf’s novels. Was so sorry to hear of his death. I wanted more.
Such a shame there'll be no more of these splendid novels from Haruf.😞RIP
