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loisr5's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
olliejudd00's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
rfcray22's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
amieeaya's review against another edition
5.0
One of my favorites, book and author. The writing is perfect. I feel things I can't put into words with Haruf's books; maybe it has to do with the way he can plainly convey complex emotions. And the narration is also perfection. Recommend reading or listening to this one, slowly, and with attention.
hedyharper's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Pregnancy, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Bullying, Abandonment, Drug use, Blood, Dementia, Medical content, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
ned_f's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
elizasut's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
Plainsong – the unisonous vocal music used in the Christian church from the earliest times; any simple and unadorned melody or air
This definition perfectly describes this gentle, unassuming yet impactful novel. Haruf introduces us to several residents of the small town of Holt, Colorado: Tom Guthrie, a high school teacher struggling to raise his two young sons (Ike and Bobby, ages 9 and 10) after their mother leaves; Victoria Robideaux, a pregnant teenager forced to try to make it on her own; the McPheron brothers – Harold and Raymond – elderly bachelors working the family cattle ranch; and Maggie Jones a compassionate woman who helps weave a crazy quilt of characters into a sort of family.
With little in common but the realities of a hard life, these seven people hesitate to reach out to one another, but find comfort when they succeed. There are scenes of tenderness that took me by surprise – from the lonely old woman who recognizes the boys’ pain at losing their mother, to the way the bachelor brothers open their home and hearts to the youngest generation. And there are some violent scenes that had me nearly breathless with worry.
The prose is crisp and clean as the winter air in the Great Plains. The story is at once simple and profound. Haruf gives us a glimpse at the lives of these wonderful characters – lives full of wit, sorrow, happy surprises, poor choices, impetuous actions, and thoughtful responses. At the end, I am left wanting more.
This definition perfectly describes this gentle, unassuming yet impactful novel. Haruf introduces us to several residents of the small town of Holt, Colorado: Tom Guthrie, a high school teacher struggling to raise his two young sons (Ike and Bobby, ages 9 and 10) after their mother leaves; Victoria Robideaux, a pregnant teenager forced to try to make it on her own; the McPheron brothers – Harold and Raymond – elderly bachelors working the family cattle ranch; and Maggie Jones a compassionate woman who helps weave a crazy quilt of characters into a sort of family.
With little in common but the realities of a hard life, these seven people hesitate to reach out to one another, but find comfort when they succeed. There are scenes of tenderness that took me by surprise – from the lonely old woman who recognizes the boys’ pain at losing their mother, to the way the bachelor brothers open their home and hearts to the youngest generation. And there are some violent scenes that had me nearly breathless with worry.
The prose is crisp and clean as the winter air in the Great Plains. The story is at once simple and profound. Haruf gives us a glimpse at the lives of these wonderful characters – lives full of wit, sorrow, happy surprises, poor choices, impetuous actions, and thoughtful responses. At the end, I am left wanting more.
lpkbooks's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 rounded up. Quiet, spare style that perfectly matches the characters he paints.