Haruf makes each character inestimably interesting, using gifted dialogue and clever description. Over time, most of the characters grow into better people but not without disappointment and heartache. Occasionally, the characters bump into each other, but mostly this is the heartening story of a small-town community. But the high point of the novel occurs when another woman, Rose Tyler, enters Raymond's life with startling results. When Victoria visits from school, she is a little jealous that Raymond has invited a woman friend to dinner. Raymond McPheron comes into his own in this novel, having experiences and relationships he never dreamed of. Tom Guthrie and Maggie Jones, who played prominent roles in 'Plainsong' are merely secondary characters here, once in awhile showing up to offer help to the brothers. No wonder they have no idea how to react to Betty's mean-spirited uncle, Hoyt Raines, when he insists on moving in with them. Rose Tyler, a social worker, has to deal with the bizarre circumstances facing Luther and Betty Wallace, who are so naive they probably shouldn't be parents.

Because she has completely won over the brothers, they miss her terribly.ĭ.J., a reclusive young boy who lives uncomfortably with his grandfather, comes out of his shell when he makes friends with the daughters of Mary Wells, but Mary has troubles of her own because of the sad disappearance of her husband.

The ranching McPheron brothers (Raymond and Harold) reach another chapter in their relationship with Victoria Roubideaux when the young girl they took into their home leaves with her child for college in Fort Collins. 'Eventide' takes some of the characters from 'Plainsong' and continues their experiences, adding new characters that again capture the nature of an entire community.Ī minimalist writer who carefully crafts every paragraph, Haruf has succeeded in making 'Eventide' even better than 'Plainsong,' and he does it with a wonderful spirit of humanity. In what is likely to become one of the best-read books of the year, Kent Haruf follows-up the story to his phenomenal 'Plainsong,' about the fascinating yet ordinary plains people of Holt, Colo. EVENTIDE, by Kent Haruf, Knopf, 300 pages, $24.95.

Eventide haruf