Plainsong

Rating:
Summary: A well written and endearing story.
Review: The characters became actual friends. The story was real in that not everything had a happy ending, life can be tough. Can certainly see this being made into a film (but the book is always better). This will be one I recommend to my reading friends...

Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Tale of Brothers and Loneliness
Review: Plainsong is a triumph and a tribute to the sturdy people of small town America. It is a story of two sets of brothers -- the young Guthrie boys and the elderly McPheron brothers -- both of whom overcome the loss of parents and redeem themselves in in a peculiar mix of kindness and coarse pragmatism. The book pivots on the caring fulcrum of Maggie Jones, a teacher who unites all the main players. Disaster seems to lurk at the turn of every page only to be vanquished by the essential honor of Holt, Colorado's pillar citizens, the principled school superintendant, the confident small town physician, the skilled veterinarian and, most of all, Tom Guthrie, the overwhelmed high school history teacher who overcomes his personal travails and teaches us all a lesson in loyalty and tenacity. Most of all, Plainsong is a story about loneliness and how the resident strength of the human spirit can beat it and soar even on the barren plains of a ugly place that only looks more beautiful the closer you get to it. Plainsong must be savored, if not for the sheer joy of a delightful read, then for lessons we take from it. Five stars with no reservations.

Rating:
Summary: Evocative of Simple People and Country--Good and Bad
Review: Written in simple, clear and generous prose, "Plainsong" shares with us the story of three seasons, early fall to late spring, of the eastern Colorado plain and the good and bad people of Holt. I will remember for quite some time the stories of Victoria Roubideaux, 17, pregnant and abandoned by her bitter mother, but taken in by the schoolteacher, Maggie Jones, and then the square, puzzled, but overwhelmingly generous and compassionate McPheron brothers, bachelors in their 60s; the 9- and 10-year olds, brothers Bobby and Ike Guthrie, learning about the truth of life and death, life's challenges, confusion and, occasional ugliness. Then there is Tom Guthrie, father of Ike and Bobby, and the quietly strong, caring, but ultimately understanding husband of Ella. She exists in her own largely silent and withdrawn world. She moves out, eventually into the big city. He moves on with his life. This is a wonderful story of truth, understanding, compassion, love and the countryside. Well-worth reading.

Rating:
Summary: a beautiful story about plain folk
Review: A touching story about plain folks on the Plains. A book that can be read as a simple story or a good character study. It's not plain and it's not a song. It is a symphony!

Rating:
Summary: Unforgetable, believeable, caracters.
Review: Well written, it took me away.

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Summary: Oldest cliche in the world, but I couldn't put it down
Review: I started reading Plainsong last evening and read until sleepy. A barking dog woke me up at 12:30 and I decided to read a few more pages before falling back asleep. The next thing I knew I was turning the last page and it was 3:45 in the morning. Haruf's affection for his characters, especially the McFerond brothers, won me over completely. I agree with Richard Russo's statement on the back cover that it was the best book he's read this year. A wonderful, memorable reading experience.

Rating:
Summary: powerful simplicity
Review: Mr. Haruf has written a novel that captures for us a big slice of small town humanity. The language is beautiful. I read alot of books, but rarely review them. The last time I was this touched by a book was A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY. You do not need to be from a small town to enjoy this book, or to understand it. In a time where cynicism and materialism have led us to forget the simple things in life, and the special bonds between individuals, Mr. Haruf has encouraged the herd to have another look. Kudos to Mr. Haruf, who I hope has a National Book Award waiting for him on that cool, autumn horizon.

Rating:
Summary: One of the most beautiful novels of our time
Review: This is one of the strongest and most winning stories I have ever read. From its first page it takes the reader into a world that is lost but not forgotten. An elegy to how people should treat each other, a fictional self-help book for the new millenium, and an exquisite piece of literary craft, this is one of the most assured and astonishing fictions of our time.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful book I couldn't stop reading!
Review: Plainsong is an amazing novel not only for its compelling story, but for its memorable characters and prose as well. Mr. Haruf truly captures the feel of a place and its people with his wonderful writing style. The characters and their stories will stay with you long after the pages are read. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who likes to read, likes a good story, or appreciates the art of the written word. I will read Plainsong again, slowly, just to savor the words and images.

Rating:
Summary: Like planting seeds in the winter
Review: What a shame! This book could have been so much more if the author wasn't so impressed with his own writing style. It was filled with two dimensional characters and overused ideas. The oddities the characters had were much too contrived. This guy can obviously write a book but praising him this early will only do his career more harm than good. Let's save the praise for when he really deserves it. Hopefully this won't be his best book. Looking forward to a maturing writer.