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A review by explikator
Plainsong by Kent Haruf
challenging
emotional
inspiring
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? No
5.0
This book is a masterwork. I can't describe properly what makes it so special. But it has to be the narrator's voice. It's written in a first person point of view, using an omniscient narrator, a pov that's seems a little out of date. It fluctuates between an objective and a subjective stance, meaning: We can sometimes hear the character thinking.
But it's not taking the easy way. Everything we see and hear tells us about the characters, informs us of the world Haruf has created for us.
The language is very unobtrusive and poetic, but the author is never shining through. Everything is told in favour of the characters. There is no judgement in this book. We simply are witnesses as the story of life itself unfolds. I'm very impressed.
But it's not taking the easy way. Everything we see and hear tells us about the characters, informs us of the world Haruf has created for us.
The language is very unobtrusive and poetic, but the author is never shining through. Everything is told in favour of the characters. There is no judgement in this book. We simply are witnesses as the story of life itself unfolds. I'm very impressed.