Rating: 
Summary: Too "artsy" for this reader!
Review: (And no, I've never read Finnegan's Wake either.) e.e. cummings abhored capital letters. Evidently, Kent Haruf thinks it high literary style to eschew quotation marks - or, as Tom Robbins calls them: "earrings." Yes, Mr. Robbins, they are "earrings" when the author wishes to note that something is being called something which it may not be - for example "a good book"- but quotation marks also perform the very useful function of letting the reader know when a character is speaking. This midwestern reader found this book to be too disconcerting - the lack of punctuation impedes the flow - makes one constantly have to "translate" as one is trying to read. Life is too short - and there are too many readable books out there to waste time on this one. I gave up on page 62. It's interesting that, on the jacket where they are trying to sell the book, the publishers know quite well how to use quotation marks!
Rating: 
Summary: This is a wonderful, warm, satisfying book.
Review: The characters in "Plainsong" are all very believable and real. Kent Haruf does an exceptional job telling us a story through vignettes of small town life. I listened to the book on CD in my car, and I have done what I never had done before; I brought the book inside so I could listen to it more in my home. The only downside about it is that it ended too soon.
Rating:
Summary: A RARE BOOK..WONDERFUL..TENDER..READ IT!
Review: This is the best book I've read in several months. So warm and tender. One of the rare books I hated to see come to an end. I recommend this book highly if you're someone that looks forward to your time cuddling up with an extraordinary read.
Rating:
Summary: simply lovely
Review: a constellation of great characters, the lack of \pretense, a compelling story (several, actually) and a deceptively simmple style that is the mark of great skill. I loved the way unlikely characters were thrust together, and the development of these genuine midwest people into their best selves. A truly superb story by an obvious master. highly recommended -- it was a life enhancing novel, thank you mr. Haruf...
Rating:
Summary: Plainsong
Review: One of the most enjoyable books I have read in quite a while. Kent Haruf creates people you would love to know. The dialect used to form the characters of Raymond and Harold McPheron is priceless. (I looked forward to the McPheron chapters beyond all the others.) None of the story was predictable, all of it was very human. Makes you want to know what happens next to all of them. A very enjoyable read.
Rating:
Summary: beautifully written!
Review: This book was wonderful!! All the characters had a different way of veiwing situations and the author was very open minded. The author also left the reader room for their own opinions. It is a great book in general and i would definitely reccomend it.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully constructed
Review: The simplicity of the prose is perfect for both the setting and the story. I was struck by the kindness of the characters and the way Haruff brought them alive with an economy of words. Beautiful job of writing. From one novelist to another - congratulations on an exquisite tale!
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I found this book annoying to read. The style has potential, and appears to be letting the characters speak for themselves. However, the author's prejudices come through way too strongly. It is very clear that some characters are "good" and the others are "bad"; some of the characters are very close to being caricatures. There is no character development to speak of.
Rating:
Summary: Great read!
Review: This book has so much to offer readers, with its generous spirit and its understanding of human fears and joys. The characters will touch your spirit while they make you laugh out loud with recognition.
Rating:
Summary: GREAT BOOK!
Review: I was spellbound from beginning to end. All the characters were believable and the story magic.
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