2025 & 2026 Reading Challenge discussion

This thread is to discuss Kent Haruf‘s book, Eventide.


***Please remember to mark spoilers.***

Participants: Mary Pat, Lynn, Eva

Suggested break down of reading so that you can check in and let us know how you're doing. The following breakdown is purely a suggestion and is therefore not set in stone.

Rather than putting dates for each section I've done it so that it takes into account that not everybody will necessarily have the book at the same time.

Week 1: 75
Week 2: 75
Week 3: 75
Week 4: 75

I'll only be able to read this book a bit later this month.

Same here, Eva. It is my shortest read for the month so I will probably get through some of the longer books first. Will let you know when I get started.

Checking in! I have not started this book yet and probably won't do so for another week. I probably over committed for March so I am glad there is an extra week this month! :)

Yes, I think the good people of Holt, Colorado have to wait another week for my undivided attention as well! :)) But I'm planning on starting it after the weekend!

I will be starting Eventide this week! Looking forward to a change of pace and style in my reading this week!

Some old characters; some new! Lump in my throat and tears in my eyes! Love these characters! They are just so real to me. Ordinary in a bigger than life way - if that makes sense.

About a third of the way through the book. Wondering what's coming next...

Although I'm reading this for the second time, I'm feeling the same emotional impact as before. It's very easy to love these characters. I think this book is sadder than the first.

I'm at 40% and I can't wait to hear your thoughts on how this develops :-)

About half way through - wasn't expecting the sad part about the McPheron brothers at all.... One thing I noticed is that chapters with the brothers usually end with mentioning what kind of wind is blowing. Don't remember if that was the same with the first book? Any ideas what this could mean? (if it means something!)

I agree that the wind is constantly mentioned. It is a major fact of life out on flat lands and high plains. Everybody plants long rows of trees to baffle the wind near houses and the wind comes up strong every night. I was taking the wind very literally since ranchers are so focused on weather and their animals.

Since common sense is meant with the phrase 'knowing which way the wind blows', I'll bet that's why the McPherons are taking note. There might also be a connection with foretelling the future (or the weather in the case of the brothers), since they'd better know which way the wind blows...it could be dangerous if they don't.

Minor spoiler from Part 2:
(view spoiler)[I was so moved by Raymond's idea of the afterlife: he lay under the quilt staring at the ceiling, wondering how his brother might be faring in the faraway yet-to-be. There would have to cattle present there somehow and some manner of work for his brother to do out in the bright unclouded air in the midst of these cattle. He knew his brother would never be satisfied otherwise, if there were not. He prayed there would be cattle, for his brother's sake. (hide spoiler)]

Finished this book earlier in the week and loved it even though there are some very, very sad moments. These are real people experiencing real life. It is as if Kent Haruf simply wrote what he saw and didn't make up any of it - even Holt!

March is winding down. Onward to Benediction in April!

Lynn wrote: "I agree that the wind is constantly mentioned. It is a major fact of life out on flat lands and high plains. Everybody plants long rows of trees to baffle the wind near houses and the wind comes up..."

Thanks for you reply, Lynn. I guess you're right: the McPheron brothers are just so much part of the land and as ranchers so dependent on the elements as well, that those will be as much on their mind as any personal or emotional events.
Finished the book last night and actually enjoyed this one a bit more than the first. But this could be as well, because I was already familiar with Holt and its characters. Looking forward to the last book in the trilogy!

I love the mix of surprising kindness and gentleness of some characters contrasted with the brutal world. I was struck by Haruf's eloquence on the frustration and impotence of youth. All the kids: DJ, Dena, Emma, Joy Rae, and Richie, are trying to raise themselves when their caregivers fail them in some way.

Well put, Lynn! The contrasts between the goodness and the harshness of the world - both in the characters and in nature - are very sharp in this book. All of the children - even Donna - have been let down by those who were supposed to love them and find it difficult to hope. They almost seem tougher than some of the adults at times. Especially those adults who want nothing more than to help them but end up feeling so sad.

We can only hope that there are enough Raymonds and Roses to make a difference.

Oh, we so need more Raymonds and Roses in the world! :)