Benediction | 
pickThis one was quite different from the others in the trilogy. It seemed like it focused more on one main story with a few others too. It did not connect much at all to the earlier books. I enjoyed it all the same. The theme of love and grace were intertwined with the story of a dying man. Led me to think of my own mortality and living for less regret.
pickI love every single thing Kent Haruf writes and this is no different. Every word he writes is magic. A bit different from Plainsong and Eventide, I was expecting it to continue the same plot, but I don‘t think it was a bad thing that it was different in the end. Very calm, almost withdrawn, and melancholy but hopeful. No one writes small towns like Kent Haruf.
#scarathlon2022 #teamslaughter @Clwojick +6
I just finished Eventide; Benediction is the third of the Plainsong trilogy. I‘ve rarely read such quality literature in my life. It‘s simple but profound and some of the most moving prose I‘ve encountered.
pickI was slightly disappointed as I thought this was going to be a continuation of the stories from the first two in this series. It‘s not. It does take place in the same town and there are mentions of those characters I loved, but this is about all new folks.
That said I did still enjoy it. It‘s mostly a journey towards death for one man who has cancer and his wife and daughter. There are neighbors we follow as well. I do like Haruf‘s writing.
pickBeautiful prose, as always. Never fails to calm my mind. Whilst a sad and sensitive life issue, he's written it in such a gentle manner.
pickI loved this book. Very real characters and portrait of the western Plains. Lovely.
so-so#UnpopularOpinion I was SO looking forward to the final book of Kent Haruf‘s Plainsong Trilogy but this one did not deliver. It was a flat storyline with caricatures more than characters. All the charm and heart I felt in the first two books were lacking for me in this one. I was hoping to have one last visit with some beloved residents of Holt but unfortunately no prior characters were included ( except for a passing comment) Disappointing ending
My city‘s library is holding its annual book sale ( I did not buy all of these ) and I showed remarkable restraint. I always find it overwhelming to choose from all the books, I know I left too many good ones behind
First full #24in48 book. Obsessed with the plain and simple writing and timeless small town observations, but oof this one was a bit punch. Level 3 weepy snot bomb the last 30 pages 😭
pickAn old man is told he hasn‘t gone long left to live and looks back on the mistakes in his life. It sounds depressing, and in some places it is, but it‘s also uplifting in places, and beautifully written.
#ReadingUSA2019
#colorado
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pick"May you leave this physical world without any more pain or regrets or unhappiness or remorse or self-doubt or worry and may you let all your trials and troubles and cares pass away. May you simply be at peace."
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
If you have not yet read Kent Haruf you are missing something truly lovely.
pickI found this book through a beautiful quote. When I picked it up, I was not aware this was a third book, in a loosely tied together series. It is a free standing book, but I guess side characters are important in other books. This is very much a Midwest, slow moving, character/town study on dying and the isolation that comes with getting your things in order. It is slow and plodding by design. The writing is great!
I just finished Eventide and was going to read Benediction to see how this trilogy finishes up. I especially want to hear more about Raymond, but the blurb on the book doesn‘t seem to touch on any previous characters at all. Is that right? It‘s billed as Plainsong #3 and it is set in Holt once again, but if it does not continue any stories from the first two books, I may not keep going right now.
Since I don't already have 5 million books in Mount TBR...
But it's Haruf.
That settles it.
I got my salad tonight and then started crying from the overwhelming emotional week. The husband responded with: "Do you need to go to the library? Do you need some books? Want to go to the bookstore? Tell me about the book you're reading now. Do you want some cake?" ?
Today's Dollar Tree book haul. I still can't believe I found Kent Haruf on that shelf 🎉
I need to ask the husband to go to the library for me 😀 @saresmoore Benediction is in!
I want to share the spare paragraph that just stabbed me right in the heart, but I won't, because spoilers. Haruf creates moments so honest, so rich, so painful that I'm forced to pause even when I want to keep reading.
Chores are done, children are happy, dinner is cooking. This book is rich and soothing, much like the Malbec pictured. 🍷 I plan to read everything Haruf has written.
"He's married... He can still be good-looking."
I have never read an author who writes so deftly about the mundane as Haruf. You can look for his judgment or opinions, but all you'll find is his observations and contemplation.
@Eamann You were right about this series getting even better.
pickEvery Haruf book I read is better than the last. His stories are like mediation in an age of distraction, filled with simple scenes and true emotions. Unfortunately they can also cause deep, aching sadness, as represented by my special effects above. Keep tissues handy with this one, people. Rating: 4 monkeys 🙉🙉🙉🙉
Still life: rainy street, cozy coffee shop, lamp, notebook
Like a lot of people, I am overwhelmed with the barrage of anxiety-inducing information that gets thrown at us each election cycle. Then I pick up this book, which is calm, clear as a bell, and filled with the warmest, simplest kind of family love. I am so grateful for books.
