"Plainsong" by Kent Haruf

This is Kent Haruf's justifiably praised story of the McPheron brothers' involvement in helping a young woman and her baby. It's been about four years since I read it, but Haruf's foursquare language, his evocations of the plains of eastern Colorado, his beguiling depiction of the two ranching brothers and their impulse to help their deserving neighbors, all commend this wonderful piece.

"Plainsong" led to the sequel "Eventide," but is superior. The cast of characters, the events, and the ranchers' activities all hit the bulls eye in "Plainsong" but slightly miss the mark in "Eventide."

Read "Plainsong." It will come back to you in sweet memories of conversation, scenes, relationships, and tablaux. I definitely recommend it.