Step into the quiet, heartfelt world of the Plainsong series, where the windswept plains of Holt, Colorado, cradle stories of family, resilience, and human connection. Written by Kent Haruf, this trilogy of contemporary American novels captures the beauty of ordinary lives with lyrical prose that feels like a warm conversation with an old friend.
Kent Haruf’s Plainsong series isn’t about grand adventures or epic battles—it’s about the small, profound moments that define us. From a pregnant teenager finding refuge to a teacher navigating single fatherhood, these stories weave a tapestry of compassion that’s as timeless as the prairie itself.
How Plainsong Began
Kent Haruf, a son of Colorado’s high plains, drew inspiration from his life in rural Yuma, Colorado, to create the fictional town of Holt. After a varied career—teaching English in Turkey with the Peace Corps and working on chicken farms—Haruf honed his craft at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. Published in 1999, Plainsong emerged as his breakout novel, earning a National Book Award nomination and launching a trilogy that would cement his legacy.
Haruf’s vision was simple yet profound: to tell honest stories about real people. His minimalist prose, often compared to plainsong church music—unadorned and pure—reflects the stark beauty of the Colorado landscape and the understated strength of its people.
The Heart of Plainsong
The Plainsong series comprises three novels: Plainsong (1999), Eventide (2004), and Benediction (2013). Set in Holt, each book intertwines the lives of its residents, creating a rich community portrait. In Plainsong, we meet Tom Guthrie, a high school teacher raising two boys after his wife’s departure, and Victoria Roubideaux, a pregnant teen taken in by the elderly McPheron brothers. Eventide continues their stories, introducing new characters like a struggling couple and a compassionate social worker, while Benediction explores themes of mortality and redemption through a terminally ill man’s final days.
Haruf’s themes—family, loneliness, and the search for belonging—resonate deeply. His spare, dialogue-driven style strips away excess, letting raw emotions shine. The setting of Holt, with its flat, sandy expanses and winter wheat fields, acts as a character itself, shaping the lives and choices of its inhabitants. Whether it’s the McPheron brothers learning to open their hearts or young Ike and Bobby facing their mother’s absence, Haruf crafts characters who feel like neighbors you’ve known forever.
The series balances light and shadow. While moments of kindness, like the community rallying around Victoria, warm the heart, darker elements—a violent prank or a disturbing encounter—ground the narrative in reality, making the triumphs of resilience all the more poignant.
Why Plainsong Resonates
The Plainsong series has left an indelible mark on contemporary American literature. Critics, including The New York Times, have praised its delicate, lovely prose, calling it a novel that “exalts the reader.” Its awards, including the Mountains & Plains Booksellers Award, reflect its critical acclaim, while readers cherish its empathetic portrayal of human struggles. Haruf’s ability to find beauty in the mundane has inspired writers and readers to look closer at the world around them.
Even after Haruf’s passing in 2014, the series endures, offering solace in its quiet wisdom. Its exploration of community and compassion feels especially relevant in today’s fast-paced world, reminding us that connection can heal even the deepest wounds.
- Publication Years: 1999, 2004, 2013
- Number of Books: 3
- Notable Award: National Book Award Finalist (Plainsong)
Grab Plainsong and dive into Holt, Colorado’s soulful world! Let Kent Haruf’s tender storytelling sweep you away to a place where every life matters.