Rating: 
Summary: Far from plain
Review: I couldn't put this book down and I didn't want it to end. Although the characters and story line are simple Plainsong is remarkably suspenseful, intriguing and exciting. One of the best books I have ever read - and for once a book that doesn't have a tragic ending. Very realistic.
Rating: 
Summary: Plainsong: A Down-to-Earth Experience
Review: In Plainsong, Kent Haruf creates a convincing "realistic" novel as he plainly (both straightforwardly and simply) relates a story of the daily lives of characters in the isolated, small town of Holt, Colorado, through what seem to be the eyes of ten curious townsfolk. Left to discern the plot from only the characters' spare conversations and actions, the reader becomes one these inquisitive folks and is free to interpret the growing pains of individuals forced to find "family" in the surrounding community in less-than-conventional ways. Diguised by undemanding prose, Plainsong's intricacy appears when the reader dares to take up Haruf's challenge to read between the lines and evaluate each character's motives according to the readers's own individual experience. In this way, Plainsong resonates with a different melody for every reader, every audience. After all is said and done, the reader may well feel as though he or she has a new lick of gossip to contribute to the banter of the folks at the local diner.
Rating:
Summary: Showing the heart of a small town
Review: Although "Plainsong" is set in eastern Colorado, it could be West Texas or small town Iowa. The characters are true to the feel of life in the backwaters of the United States. I started by listening to the audio tape & finished by reading. The voices of the McPherron brothers were especially distinctive on the audio version, but the reader does a fine job of bringing all the characters to life. The heartbreak of not knowing why your family is breaking up or the fear of moving in with strangers is totally real. I laughed out loud at the harsh portrait of the Beckman family in the principal's office--so true, so true in a society that tolerates anything from athletes. In the hands of a writer like Stephen King, this story could have been over the top--all secrets revealed with a sensational ending scene with the Beckmans. But Haruf has done something far more remarkable. He has dared to offer the hope of healing for damaged souls.
Rating: 
Summary: Straining to be poetic
Review: What is the deal with the run-on sentences? They are distracting at best, incomprehensible at worst. I can't comment on the story line because I haven't finished the book...and don't know if I will after reading, "Overhead the sky was as blue as just-washed cafe crockery and the sun was shining brilliantly." I would expect to read something like that in a college creative writing class. I'll stick to Irving and Vonnegut...this "flowery" writing makes me cringe and distracts me from the story as I critique the poetry. In my opinion, if distracts from the story, it simply doesn't work.
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Summary: listening is different
Review: I am recovering from eye surgery. Listening is different than reading. My mind and heart were assualted by the coarse language and apparent lack of respect in most of the characters..The big boys were the little boys grown up/tender and thoughtful.Maggie surely was the most considerate and compassionate.Brutal and earthy were my best words of discription. Will I think different when I am able to read it? ..will let you know.
Rating:
Summary: Am I Missing Something?
Review: I'm afraid what we have here is an example of "The Emperor's New Clothes." A few "important" writers and critics call something great and readers fall all over themselves to add their praise. Well, I thought this was one of the more tedious, predictable, and unbelievable novels I've read in years. There are holes in the story a mile wide. I even started reading it a second time because I wanted to find what so many people found "wonderful." Needless to say, I found it even more tedious the second time around.
Rating:
Summary: Trite; almost painful to get through
Review: I listened to this book on tape. I had to go back and read the cover to see if this book was written for adolescents. The plot was so trite and the writing sophmoric. Why did the mother leave? Does anybody know....I almost cringed near the end when Victoria dropped the baby and nobody seemed concerned about that. I just dont get the positive reviews. The characters were underdeveloped and a lot was left unresolved.
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Summary: Sweet and Spare
Review: This is a sweet and sparely written novel -- Haruf doesn't waste words stating the obvious or on extraneous detail. What is is what is important, not what happened because of it or what caused it. Victoria's flat affect and lack of depth is important because of the effect it has on others and the story it brings together. She herself is neither here nor there. The dialogue between the McPheron brothers is worth the price of admission alone. This is not a book for folks who need to know exactly WHY everything is happening and how the characters are going to fare after the book ends. It is, simply, what it is and what it is is a poignant story about some hapless folks who come together as their lives come together.
Rating:
Summary: a pretty unrealistic 'realistic'novel
Review: The town doesn't know whether to believe Tom (a career teacher with no history of trouble) or Russ beckman (the town bully with a laundry list of priors)? Victoria, who has been presented as sensitive and caring, doesn't ever think to call theold men from Denver? Come on. But for all its 'All the Pretty Horses'-wannabeness, Haruf has written a genlt, engaging novel. Only, its more of a supermarket-Oprah bok than real literature. To me, anyway.
Rating:
Summary: A book anyone would enjoy
Review: There were parts in this story for everyone to identify with. A teenage girl with a strained relationship between her and her mother. There's two old men that farm and are rather bland in an interesting way. There's an unwed teenage girl who runs off with the baby's father. There's concerned school teachers. Just an all around interesting book with writing that makes you feel like you're actually there. Very good book.....Highly recommend it....You'll enjoy it
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