Plainsong

By: Kent Haruf

Narrated by: Tom Stechschulte

Kent Haruf has received prestigious awards, including a special citation from the PEN/Hemingway Foundation for his finely-tuned works. Before the opening chapter of this novel, Haruf offers a definition. Plainsong is “any simple and unadorned melody or air.” Direct yet elegant, Haruf’s Plainsong is a hymn to the breadth of the human spirit.

A high school history teacher in a small Colorado town, Guthrie is raising his two young sons alone. Thoughtful and honest, he is guiding them through a world that is not always kind. Victoria, one of his students, is pregnant, homeless, and vulnerable to the scorn of the town. When Guthrie helps two elderly ranchers take the young woman into their home, an unlikely extended family is born. As the chapters of these people’s lives alternate throughout Plainsong, loneliness and need are transformed into nourishing bonds. Narrator Tom Stechschulte captures the subtle changes that bring the men, women, and children together. His performance highlights every shading of this superb New York Times best-seller.

©1999 Kent Haruf (P)1999 Recorded Books, LLC

every chapter.. simple and engaging, with charater

every chapter simple and engaging with every character being someone we could champion or hope would change

Enjoyable read

Thoroughly enjoyed this simple relaxing book. Would recommend this book. Looking forward to listening to the next one!

Timeless Storytelling

I have always enjoyed the brevity of the language when characters are speaking. It seems like a beautiful relic of another time. I really like these people. Great Storytelling and a highly recommended book.

An indescribable tale that captured me fully

If you’re thinking about this book, just do it. The narration is perfect and sets a tone that captures the spirit I think the author was trying to convey.

Interesting -

I finished this book the weekend the author died. My sympathies to the family. It the author lived his life as thoughtful as his writing he was a wonderful being I am sure.

The characters and the proses are beautifully crafted, I loved the writing. But if you listen, expect a very subtle overlay of simple stories that unfold slowly. There is no big dramatic moment, anywhere; rather it is beautiful writing about people you could know, trying to figure out their lives that occasionally intersect.