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Title: Hollow Song
Review: I was unable to finish this novel, after giving it one hundred fifty pages worth of a chance. There are too many unread books on my life's list to continue wasting my time with this one. I rarely give up on a book. Starting one is a comittment I take seriously. But there is just nothing in Haruf's "Plainsong" to hold onto. The spare, simple writing that is praised on the book's jacket is almost childish at times. The lack of quotation marks and long, rushed sentences are truly bothersome. But to me, a book's foundation is character. The characters here are like sketches of people, stick-figure drawings, none of which brought out any feelings whatsoever in me. I can't believe this book was a finalist for the Book Award and a bestseller. I take starting a new book very seriously, and I wanted to do my part in helping other people who might be considering this one. Buy a classic instead.
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