Benediction (Vintage Contemporaries)

I just finished the third of Kent Haruf's Plainsong trilogy. I am deeply moved. He finds a way to present the ordinariness of life in a transcendent way. Somehow, by the end of each of these books, I saw into the beauty and breadth of what it is to be human. Can't recommend these books enough.

Another gem by Kent Haruf. A beautiful book about family, love, and saying goodbye at the end of life. As always, Haruf captures the beauty and connections of small town living that are so welcome in today's world of high tech and disconnection at the human level.

The book was very small town story, where everyone knows everyone somewhat interesting how the old ladies took over the little girl. I suppose she was an interest for them, very funny when they all went swimming in the trough. The book is so sad with the father-son experience , and father dying that we needed a chuckle.

Life. People you come to know who surprise you,stir deep feelings in you, both positive and negative. As in life, you never know what the turning of the page will present. This is the first book I read by this author, and I quickly read his others. Never wanting to reach the last page.

I was really surprised as i started reading this book. It is written with no "he said" "she said". It is written as if people are just talking to one another. Af first it is hard to get used to but then the story just flows without all the unnecesary words. This book deals with some really hard subjects but does so in a way that it makes a beautiful story. I really hated for the book to end.

Written in an unusual and almost haunting style. A book that evokes the whole spectrum of emotions, including some anger and frustration with the characters and thus the author. A most unusual read, but worth the effort.

Haruf,as usual grabs you and holds on tight. The high plains characters and happening are as real as the warts on your toes. Being an Iowa kid,I grew up with all these guys Kent writes about. They are my uncles,aunts,cousins, grandparents and parents. This author brings to life the daily trials and small triumphs that are our lives.

The ability of this author to transport the reader into the daily life of families in small rural communities and keep them transfixed as they await what is yet to come is truly a gift, one he gives his reader with every page.

I read Benediction in two sittings and got acquainted with small town Colorado. I grew up in a town of similar size in Wisconsin so related to much of the story. It will stay with me for a good, long time. We will see the play in a month to enjoy the story again.

Insightful, down-to-earth this book speaks to everyday life. It's set in the country, but resonates no matter where you live - if you take the time to look and listen. How can the hard knocks of life feel so comforting all at the same time?

The Benediction continues in Haruf's style of setting his writing in NE Colorado. He writes of the common people who lived in the fictitious town of Holt and he draws the reader into their lives. A very enjoyable read. Thanks again, Kent Haruf.

I always liked Kent Haurf and have enjoyed all his books including the coffee table book of photos he cowrote with a photographer. I love his stories set in Colorado and the steadfast, hard working people of Holt.

This novel is an end of life story but beautifully done, Dad and his wife are so decent and unassuming, the women so strong and loyal. Honestly, the uncomplaining and straight forward way the characters handled their lives, brought tears to my eyes more than once. It's not sad but beautiful.

A lovely story chronicling the end of life for Dad Lewis and the way he touched so many lives. Written in the terse style that is a hallmark of Haruf's writing, the story takes place in the little town of Holt, Colorado. Beautifully told, the story is rendered in the ways of a small town with long-time residents interacting with each other and coming to terms with the changes in their lives.

This book was simply beautifully written, I enjoyed reading it even though it was about dying. Kent Haruf's books will be truly missed as he had his own style of writing that truly touched on real life. You won't be disappointed by his books once you have read one.

Once again Haruf takes us inside the hearts and minds of the good people
of Holt, Colorado. This is a gentle book, written in the same slow and simple and loving language as Plainsong and Eventide -- a welcome escape from today's high speed, high tech pace.

Simple little book about the way we live--and die; of relationships and emotions we all share; of being there and not being there; of fulfillment and disappointment; of rejection and acceptance. Read it.

In the genre of "prairie novels" that stretches from O.E. Rolvaag's superb GIANTS IN THE EARTH through the work of Willa Cather Ivan Doig and many others, no one catches the idiom better than Haruf. Not a word is wasted. No sentence is a jot longer than it need be. Yet, for those of us who grew up in the US's empty quarter or have simply come to love it, Haruf's BENEDICTION carries both great emotional impact and food for quiet thought. If you appreciate precision in writing, this is a book for you, whether you live in NY, Glendive or LA.

A classic Kent Haruf book, and as always, an excellent book!

I have read all of Kents previous books and was not disappointed in this new one. I became involves with all the characters. I laughed and cried. For anyone who wants to get involved with the characters, this is the book for you!

I liked the author's first two books (Plainsong and Eventide) better. I was irritated by a man seemingly knowledgeable about the lives of the women characters. Some of it didn't ring true. Character's are introduced-like the preacher-then not developed. Previous events-like the death of the daughter in a car accident-are just mentioned then nothing. I mean, the death of a child is kind of big deal. Still, I witnessed my mother dying of cancer and that part of the book was true and well written.

I love the characters that inhabit Holt. As a fellow Coloradan I understand and admire them. Haruf's books are not about exciting drama but about the story and what happens in his character's lives. This would be a difficult read for someone who has recently gone through a slow cancer death as he details the grief and sadness that acompanies this journey. Well worth the time.

This book, set in the same Colorado Plains town as Plainsong and Eventide, lives up to its name. An old man, at the end of his life, reflects on how he lived it. The other family members and towns people who come into his orbit are all struggling with their own problems, but also rise to the occasions presented to them to help the old man and his family. This lovely, deceptively simple novel is a meditation on life and the decisions that take us in various directions.

I loved the development of Benediction's characters and the depth of emotions shared in Haruf's very understated prose. I fell in love with Dad and his wife, even while Dad lay dying. Kent Haruf has a brilliant way of describing love by using the relationships of his characters and their actions. He describes love perfectly without the need to define it. His writing shines a light on what is important in life. Dad's story is everyone 's story. The author's writing is sparse but eloquent. His characters are very human. But it is the novel's theme that makes the reader want to weep at the expressions of love in Benediction. This truly beautiful story about life in small town America will resonate with its readers. I give it my highest recommendation to any reader who appreciates subtle but exquisite language. You will be glad you read Benediction. This story will live long in your heart.

Kent Haruf writes about real people who you would like to know. Even though all you can do is read about them, you won't forget them. This author know the territory in which his books take place. I only wish he could write faster because I'm always watching for a new book by him.

This was a touching and heartfelt novel, I enjoyed reading it very much. Have read this author before and really like his work. His characters are rich and multi-textured. I would read any of new novels that he would write in the future. These types of books are rare and hard to find.

I enjoyed this book from page one. I could relate to many topics as my father had lung cancer and my husband had brain cancer. Although the language is not the best it fits in to the behavior of the cancer stricken patient. Highly recommend this book