Plainsong by Kent Haruf

Plainsong—the unisonous vocal music used in the Christian church from the earliest time, a simple or unadorned melody or air.

The definition above is an introductory page to the novel Plainsong.   The words “simple or unadorned” describe the style of this novel as it jumps back and forth between a fairly large number of characters.  Events and complications are described, sometimes returned to, sometimes not.  The story starts off slowly and after finishing, it’s hard to summarize.  But I recommend it, mainly because I appreciated the hard work, likability, and goodwill of so many of the characters.  Tom Guthrie copes with his wife’s withdrawal.  Bobby and Ike, ages nine and ten, observe their mother’s withdrawal and their stern father’s preoccupation with work and relationships.  Victoria Roubideaux faces an unplanned pregnancy.  Maggie Jones cares for an ailing and confused father, and the two McPheron brothers open their doors and welcome an unexpected expansion of their small family.  Finishing the novel, I was inspired by the low-key goodness of so many of the characters.  And though I recommend the book, I felt for awhile that something was missing.  Writing about the story helped me appreciate it more and feel the conclusion was complete or complete enough.  The rest of these reflections contain spoilers and are for those who have read the book.

Tom Guthrie seems publicly competent and emotional confused.  He takes care of the physical needs of his sons but seems to lack many kind and loving words for them.  His wife leaves him emotionally.  From their one conversation, I conclude she suffered from depression, and her suffering is exacerbated by Guthrie’s inability to communicate.  They each seem to want something from the other that the other can’t or won't give.  When she finally moves out, there are no clues that Guthrie reflects on what went wrong.  Instead, he distracts himself  with work, drinking, and smoking.

Victoria Roubideaux decides she wants to keep the child she carries, even though the baby's father has already abandoned her.  Her reasons for this are unclear. The novel contains sparse clues that she has an abusive mother and an absent father.  Maybe she thinks being a parent will make up for not having much parenting herself.  The McPheron brothers open their house to her, provide consistency and a kind of parenting as well which allows her to become a mother to herself and eventually her child.

Raymond and Harold McPheron are the heroes who take in Victoria when she has no place to go.  They, among all the characters in the novel, allow their own view of the world to expand the most and provide Victoria a space to grow up.  Raising heifers has taught them practicality, consistency, and responsibility.  Victoria allows them to apply these skills to a human.

Maggie Jones is a hero too; she cuts through to what is important and gets it done.  When Victoria shows up at her door, she takes her in.  She is very matter-of-fact in her help for Victoria and later, in her love for Guthrie.  She either knows a lot more about Guthrie than the reader does or she is drawn to his quiet-seeming competence and strength.  However, his quiet manner seems to be a cover for a lot of social incompetence.  Her caring for him may be a weakness on her part, but if they stay together, her ability to forge connections may help him use his work ethic in softer, better ways.

Bobby and Ike take care of each other and try to figure out they mysteries of human behavior.  They quiety observe behavior that is sometimes caring, sometimes competent, and too often cruel.  Guthrie takes care of their physical needs, but emotionally, they could use more nurturing.  Yet they seem to have a strong sense of survival.

Victoria's boyfriend and Gutherie's failing student who attacks his sons provide cruelty for the protagonists to respond to, but they aren't developed.

The above writing is more a list than graceful prose, but it was useful in understanding and appreciating Plainsong.  Please add to the list.