25 - the tie that binds

here's another kent haruf novel.  i've written before about why i love his books so much, and the tie that binds did not disappoint.  this novel was a little different from his others, which are usually written in (here's an english teacher word for you) third person omniscient point of view - you get the story told from a variety of perspectives and you get to be inside the head of several different characters.  if i am remembering correctly, all of haruf's books that i've read thus far are written in this style.  the tie that binds, his first novel, is not.  

instead, it is told by sanders roscoe, who now may just be one of my favorite characters from a novel.  (he's up there with scout.)  i could go on and on about why i love haruf's writing as much as i do, but one (main) reason is the characters in his novels.  because he has such a gift at creating interesting characters with authentic voices, it was a treat to read an entire book told in one of those voices.  i really felt like i was sitting at a small town cafe, drinking coffee and eating pie with sanders roscoe while he was telling me his story.

that said, none of haruf's books are very lighthearted.  they deal with very real and serious issues.  i tend to cry quite a bit when i read his books, not because they are sappy, but because i connect so deeply to the themes and issues and characters and settings set forth on his pages.