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JimZ's Reviews > Our Souls at Night
Our Souls at Night
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Yesterday I read Plainsong. I ordered ‘Our Souls at Night’ at the same time that I ordered Plainsong so I read it this morning. A sweet and bittersweet story. I was waiting for the end expecting one thing (and that didn’t happen) and then another thing (and that didn’t happen). So, in my eyes that’s a plus. Haruf presented the people in this novel as people who are not perfect and some people I liked more than others. But I guess there is nobody that I really disliked, although Gene came close, but then the story explains how his personality might have been shaped —and was shaped let’s be honest —. by his father Carl, and Carl’s persona was affected by Connie his daughter….and so on and so on. Life goes on. I think the take-home message for me was ‘Carpe diem’. And to stop and smell the roses, and enjoy the fragrance.
I found it amusing that Kent Haruf managed to sneak in a referral to Plainsong near the end…about a play being shown in Denver involving the McPhersons in the town of Holt, Colorado. Funny! And then Addie said to Louis of Haruf “He can write a book about us. How would you like that?” Well he did! 😊
I did not know this: The tragedy of it all is that the author wrote it for his wife Cathy as he was dying and didn’t live long enough to see it published. https://sckarakaltsas.com/2018/12/21/...
Reviews:
• https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/07/bo...
• review is by Ursula K. LeGuin, May 27, 2015: https://www.theguardian.com/books/201...
• https://www.chicagotribune.com/entert...
I found it amusing that Kent Haruf managed to sneak in a referral to Plainsong near the end…about a play being shown in Denver involving the McPhersons in the town of Holt, Colorado. Funny! And then Addie said to Louis of Haruf “He can write a book about us. How would you like that?” Well he did! 😊
I did not know this: The tragedy of it all is that the author wrote it for his wife Cathy as he was dying and didn’t live long enough to see it published. https://sckarakaltsas.com/2018/12/21/...
Reviews:
• https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/07/bo...
• review is by Ursula K. LeGuin, May 27, 2015: https://www.theguardian.com/books/201...
• https://www.chicagotribune.com/entert...
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September 12, 2020
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September 12, 2020
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September 12, 2020
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Anne
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rated it 5 stars
Sep 12, 2020 07:42AM
I read this bppl before Plainsong so I did not catch the reference to Plainsong. So glad you pointed that out. It is funny.
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If you liked 'Plainsong' more, that means I will have to read both, Jim :-) Bittersweet is the flavour I like in books (not in food). I loved your take-home message to stop and smell the roses
Jim, great catch in your second paragraph! I like Haruf’s reference to Plainsong and himself. ‘Carpe diem’ is indeed the message. Thanks, Jim.
I'm so pleased that Haruf's novels are resonating with you, JimZ. Looking forward to your thoughts on Eventide when you get to it.
What I love about Haruf is that not only does he make me care about his characters, but he also makes me reflect on my own relationships with friends and family. Glad you're off to a good start with his books, Jim!
Anne wrote: "I read this bppl before Plainsong so I did not catch the reference to Plainsong. So glad you pointed that out. It is funny."I'm glad I read Plainsong first...
Ilse wrote: "If you liked 'Plainsong' more, that means I will have to read both, Jim :-) Bittersweet is the flavour I like in books (not in food). I loved your take-home message to stop and smell the roses"Yes, I try and do that...and occasionally I realize I am happy and contented...and it's a nice feeling.
Laysee wrote: "Jim, great catch in your second paragraph! I like Haruf’s reference to Plainsong and himself. ‘Carpe diem’ is indeed the message. Thanks, Jim."Thanks Laysee....it was amusing/interesting to see that in the novel!
Zoeytron wrote: "I'm so pleased that Haruf's novels are resonating with you, JimZ. Looking forward to your thoughts on Eventide when you get to it."I'll let you know! :)
Candi wrote: "What I love about Haruf is that not only does he make me care about his characters, but he also makes me reflect on my own relationships with friends and family. Glad you're off to a good start wit..."You recommend I read his earlier works? I know I will be reading Eventide...
Nice review Jim. I did not know the story about his wife or the reference to Plainsong.
Jim, I've not yet read his earlier work, but I plan to! Definitely pick up Eventide as your next one though! :)
Jim wrote: "Nice review Jim. I did not know the story about his wife or the reference to Plainsong."Yes, that was interesting...
Candi wrote: "Jim, I've not yet read his earlier work, but I plan to! Definitely pick up Eventide as your next one though! :)"Will do! :)
If I'm not mistaken I think this was made into a movie starring Jane Fonda and Robert Redford. I'll have to look for the book now.
The movie was made in Florence, CO where there are lots of antiques and a shop owner there kept telling me where Robert Redford ate (HA) but we wanted Quincy's.
He is one of my favorite author. He created the Holt county and each of his novels refers to his other books’characters and it’s nice and sometimes sad. You need to read Eventide to be back with the characters of Plainsong
Electra wrote: "He is one of my favorite author. He created the Holt county and each of his novels refers to his other books’characters and it’s nice and sometimes sad. You need to read Eventide to be back with th..."Yes I will be reading Eventide. :)
I just watched the movie without realising it was a book first. Now what should I do??
WF wrote: "I just watched the movie without realising it was a book first. Now what should I do??"Isn't it a truism that 'the book is better than the movie'?
JimZ wrote: "WF wrote: "I just watched the movie without realising it was a book first. Now what should I do??"Isn't it a truism that 'the book is better than the movie'?"
Generally true, but I have once or twice found a movie better...will try to find a copy of this to read, and see!
