Benediction by Kent Haruf

Benediction

Kent Haruf

In a small Colorado town an elderly, dying man looks back on his life and tries to put things in order with his family and friends. The writing style is very unadorned and perfectly suits the setting and subject of the novel. This is the third volume of a trilogy set in the town and featuring some of the same characters. I loved it for its style, its characters and its compassion.

Extract
Well, what in the hell. What are you doing here?
They let me out, she said.
I didn't hear any car out front. How'd you get here?
I walked.
What do you mean you walked?
I walked home.
You walked home from the hospital. ...
Well, Jesus Christ, Dad said.
Parallels
  • Dear Life by Alice Munro
  • Grace and Mary by Melvyn Bragg