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mariabl's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
joeygirl1030's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.25
book_concierge's review against another edition
5.0
Digital audiobook performed by George Hearn
Continuing the story of the residents of fictional Holt, Colorado, the novel features some of the same characters that readers came to love in Plainsong. The McPheron brothers see Victoria Roubideaux move off their ranch to begin college; Maggie Jones once again displays the compassion and good sense that make her such a wonderful teacher; Tom Guthrie and his boys make an appearance as well. And social worker Rose Tyler finds that the burden of helping people who sometimes cannot be helped is made a little easier with a strong shoulder to cry on. New characters move the story of the town and its residents forward: a young boy helps his aged grandfather, a woman with two girls tries to find her way now that her husband has left, and a couple with limited resources have difficulty caring for their two children.
Life can be hard in Holt. Accidents cause injury and death. Alcohol fuels violent tendencies and foolish behavior. Misunderstandings lead to wounded egos and bruised sensibilities. Then again, there are scenes of tenderness and caring that touch my heart and give me faith in humankind. People rise to the occasion and help one another without thought to payback or obligation. Couples find humor in their situation, or reach out to comfort one another. People make hard decisions and move forward with courage and grace in the face of adversity.
And I just have to comment on how Haruf paints the landscape. I felt the bitter wind of a December midnight, saw the weak sunlight on wide open fields, smelled the squalor of an unkempt trailer, or relished in the sights and sounds of a spring afternoon.
I came late to the party when it comes to reading Haruf. But better late than never. As I came to the end of this novel I found myself mourning his passing all over again. A week or so after I finished listening to the audio, I picked up the text and read it again, cover to cover.
George Hearn does a fine job narrating the audiobook. He has the perfect pace and tone for this quiet novel. He really brings these characters to life; I particularly love how he voices the McPheron brothers.
Continuing the story of the residents of fictional Holt, Colorado, the novel features some of the same characters that readers came to love in Plainsong. The McPheron brothers see Victoria Roubideaux move off their ranch to begin college; Maggie Jones once again displays the compassion and good sense that make her such a wonderful teacher; Tom Guthrie and his boys make an appearance as well. And social worker Rose Tyler finds that the burden of helping people who sometimes cannot be helped is made a little easier with a strong shoulder to cry on. New characters move the story of the town and its residents forward: a young boy helps his aged grandfather, a woman with two girls tries to find her way now that her husband has left, and a couple with limited resources have difficulty caring for their two children.
Life can be hard in Holt. Accidents cause injury and death. Alcohol fuels violent tendencies and foolish behavior. Misunderstandings lead to wounded egos and bruised sensibilities. Then again, there are scenes of tenderness and caring that touch my heart and give me faith in humankind. People rise to the occasion and help one another without thought to payback or obligation. Couples find humor in their situation, or reach out to comfort one another. People make hard decisions and move forward with courage and grace in the face of adversity.
And I just have to comment on how Haruf paints the landscape. I felt the bitter wind of a December midnight, saw the weak sunlight on wide open fields, smelled the squalor of an unkempt trailer, or relished in the sights and sounds of a spring afternoon.
I came late to the party when it comes to reading Haruf. But better late than never. As I came to the end of this novel I found myself mourning his passing all over again. A week or so after I finished listening to the audio, I picked up the text and read it again, cover to cover.
George Hearn does a fine job narrating the audiobook. He has the perfect pace and tone for this quiet novel. He really brings these characters to life; I particularly love how he voices the McPheron brothers.
laila4343's review against another edition
4.0
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. Clear, simple, lovely, gut-punching writing. I love this guy.
positivewoman2013's review against another edition
4.0
Liked this one better than number 1, but it's still not my favorite style of writing
shaney_swift's review against another edition
emotional
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
danidamico's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
4.0
Me encantó esta segunda entrega de la trilogía de Haruf, aunque creo que Plainsong me gusta más. Capaz lo que me sobró un poco en este caso fue la historia de la familia que recibe asistencia del Estado. Siento que más allá de la conexión a través del personaje de Rose, no termina de encajar con el resto de las historias que conforman la novela. Lo más lindo de Eventide es reencontrarse con los hermanos McPheron y Victoria. Haruf nos regala la posibilidad de seguir siendo testigos de sus vidas, vidas comunes a las que el autor ilumina, llena de cariño y sensibilidad. Toda la parte vinculada a Raymond y su vida amorosa me recordó al primer libro que leí de Haruf, Our Souls at Night, esa exploración tan humana de los intentos por encontrar el amor teniendo ya una edad mayor.
En fin, no mucho más para decir. Un libro muy lindo, entrañable y sensible, como todo lo que escribió el autor. Como mencioné al comienzo, a diferencia de Plainsong, en este caso me sobraron algunas cosas.
En fin, no mucho más para decir. Un libro muy lindo, entrañable y sensible, como todo lo que escribió el autor. Como mencioné al comienzo, a diferencia de Plainsong, en este caso me sobraron algunas cosas.
michperk's review against another edition
3.0
Had the author/publisher used quotation marks, probably would have given another star. Interesting story line that kept me interested, but lack of conventions annoyed me to no end.
billfulton's review against another edition
5.0
I listened to this as an audiobook on a five-day backpacking trip in Olympic National Park. It's a wonderful sequel to Plainsong, which I also enjoyed. Haruf captures the the tone of Eastern Colorado perfectly in this book. I've lived there, and I recognize the language, the scenery, and the characters. They are pitch-perfect. When one of the brothers dies in the cattle corral, I wondered how he would continue the story. But the story line is perfect as it shows grief, loss, and new life. I question the quick relationship that sprung up; it seems to me that was a little unlikely. But it was a great story anyway.