Plainsong

By: Kent Haruf

Narrated by: Tom Stechschulte

Length: 9 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

A taste of Real Life

Would you listen to Plainsong again? Why?

This is a story I can relate to - the characters are as real as life itself. Narrator does an excellent job

What other book might you compare Plainsong to and why?

Can't compare Plainsong to any other author - it is unique

What does Tom Stechschulte bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Tom's delivery provides flavor - his ability to create characters with different voice inflections is very valuable

Any additional comments?

Just an excellent work - the kind of story that you can connect with. Finishing this story made me crave for more.

Comfort food for the brain

Would you consider the audio edition of Plainsong to be better than the print version?

N/A. I have not read the book.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I liked them all. The McPheran brothers, though were especially entertaining.

What does Tom Stechschulte bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He is a good reader who captures the manner of speech in that part of Colorado well. I am a Co. Native who has been to Yuma (Holt) many times.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

It wouldn't work well as a movie.

Any additional comments?

After a steady diet of spicy food, (thrillers and action novels) I needed some comfort food. This hit the spot.

Wonderful

What a wonderful book. I enjoyed it tremendously and will be referring it to others.

Spectacular novel

Totally mesmerizing novel of the harsh realities of life on the western plains.
The intersecting stories of primarily four different families is so movingly articulated by this brilliant author I could feel, see and smell every scene and sentence. I didn't want it to be over. Beautifully narrated by Tom Stechschulte

Happy Making

I truly enjoyed this story. There was some modest suspense & action. The verbiage was smooth, realistic, & interesting. My interest was held throughout & at the end I couldn’t put it down.
There were places where the story line was a little choppy but took nothing away from the transit of the pathway to the end.
I recommend this book to those interested in a slice of small town life that is true to life.

Kind of like plain lettuce

It was comfortable reading… but not very exciting. I would stop listening for a few days and almost forget about it. I prefer when characters remain in my mind after I close the book. Not enough to the resolution either.

Good people

I deeply enjoy Mr Haruf’s writings. His stories ring true of life without the false importance of today’s self-created internet & tv celebrity; or our own over indulgence.

Haruf’s books are brimming with people who exhibit a deeply moving richness of character, who in living come up against travails yet manage to make life choices which benefit more than themselves, and to there are the few who show up flat as paper cut outs, the empty soulless ones.

People who just naturally make decisions based on a strong moral compass remind me of another time and place. Thank you Mr. Haruf. Your books are simply beautiful.