An Absolutely Joyful Read

Plainsong is a joyful tale of an unexpected family of unrelated people bound together for their common need to love and be loved. The very small east Colorado town of Holt is the setting. All inhabitants know each other's histories and current status. The destinies of the characters we follow unfold into a web of situations and circumstance. At times we are overjoyed, at other times we are horrified, but at no time are we bored. We, the readers, watch these people in our minds' eyes as though we are watching players in a theatrical production.

Kent Haruf does a stellar job of fusing understandable language with symbolism and imagery. For those of us who are unaccustomed to these literary magic tricks, the message may be subliminal but at least it gets across. For those of us who are accustomed, we are wooed and mystified by the ease of which the author's words create a picture so real and so meaningful. He divides chapters by perspective. Each chapter is titled by a character's name and focuses on the respective perspective.

For the most part, the characters in Plainsong are well-rounded. We get to know them so well that we can predict exactly what they might do or say. They move us to either protest vehemently while crying out "Why!" or to cheer them on and encourage their behaviors.

The Cast

Guthrie, a single father and high school teacher; Ike & Bobby, Guthrie's sons. Their mother (Guthrie's ex or soon-to-be-ex-wife) is present in the story. She has drifted into depression and has basically left Guthrie and the boys to fend for themselves.

Victoria, a pregnant high school girl. Her mother kicks her out of the house at the very beginning of the novel for "getting herself pregnant". The baby's father is present in the story.

Maggie, a high school teacher. She is compassionate and intuitive, a mother figure.

Raymond and Harold, farming brothers who are getting on in their years. They are unmarried and live together on their cattle farm.

There are many other supporting players, but these are the main ones. I don't want to reveal too much, just enough to peak your interest.

Plainsong sort of reminds me of Paradise by Toni Morrison. A group of unlikely comrades who are "thrown" together by fate. They discover they are able to give each other the companionship, love and security that they so desperately need. The language in Paradise is far more evolved and poetic; the language in Plainsong is more common and easy to read.

This is the first book I have read by Kent Haruf. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will certainly read other books he authors.