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57 pages 1 hour read

Kent Haruf

Plainsong

Kent HarufFiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1999

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Book Brief

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Kent Haruf

Plainsong

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1999
Book Details
Pages

301

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Holt, Colorado • 1980s

Publication Year

1999

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

770L

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Super Short Summary

Plainsong by Kent Haruf, set in the high plains of eastern Colorado, weaves multiple storylines into a profound exploration of community, acceptance, and loneliness. Key figures like Tom Guthrie, his sons Ike and Bobby, pregnant teenager Victoria Roubideaux, and the McPheron brothers navigate isolation and personal challenges, eventually finding solace and new connections within their small-town community. Sensitive topics such as depression, mental health struggles, and verbal abuse are depicted.

Contemplative

Bittersweet

Emotional

Melancholic

Heartwarming

Reviews & Readership

4.2

81,998 ratings

76%

Loved it

18%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Haruf's Plainsong garners acclaim for its evocative prose and poignant portrayal of small-town life. Critics praise its compelling characters and the intertwining of their lives, though some note the narrative's slow pace. While its simplicity is lauded, others find it lacks tension. Overall, it is celebrated for its emotional depth and authenticity.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Plainsong?

A reader who enjoys deeply human, character-driven narratives would appreciate Kent Haruf's Plainsong. Fans of Marilynne Robinson's Gilead and Annie Proulx's The Shipping News will find its depiction of small-town life and intricate relationships particularly compelling. Haruf's spare, evocative prose appeals to those who value introspective and quietly powerful storytelling.

4.2

81,998 ratings

76%

Loved it

18%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

301

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Holt, Colorado • 1980s

Publication Year

1999

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

770L

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