The Interconnected Lives of Such Different People

In Kent Haruf's novel titled "PlainSong," the interconnected lives of various characters are developed as the plot thickens and difficulties arise. While seemingly random at first, PlainSong demonstrates that feelings, including lonliness, abandonment, and confusion are in fact universal and ubiquitous. Haruf intertwines the lives of a pregnant teenager, two abandoned boys, a fed-up teacher, and two clueless farmers to show that humans really do all experience similar emotions and similar difficulties despite differences in age, gender, status, etc. Haruf's ability to demolish the barriers that exist between these factions allows him to truly develop and focus on an ever-changing plot that provides insight into each character's fears and thoughts.

Likewise, Haruf's use of a linear story line, simple word choice, and plain language allows the reader to solely focus on the characters' development. As a result, the reader devotes full attention to why characters say certain things, how they react when fear and abandonment strike them, etc.

I chose this novel because I was fascinated by Haruf's style of writing. Because he takes such a simple approach in terms of language and diction, I was able to truly focus on and capture the essence of each character. I was captivated as I read because I felt as if I knew the characters and somehow felt their pain, their joy, and their struggles as their lives unfolded. I also liked how he took characters that are related to each other-- a teacher who teaches the pregnant teenager, fathers the abandoned boys, and develops a relationship with the woman who suggested that the pregnant teenager live with the clueless farmers-- and showed their thought processes and views on the world.