Kent Haruf facts for kids

Alan Kent Haruf (born February 24, 1943 – died November 30, 2014) was an American novelist. He was known for writing books about small-town life in rural Colorado. His stories often showed the quiet strength and kindness of everyday people.

About Kent Haruf

Early Life and Education

Kent Haruf was born in Pueblo, Colorado. His father was a minister. In 1965, he earned a college degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University. Later, he got a master's degree from the Iowa Writers' Workshop at the University of Iowa in 1973. This workshop is a famous place where writers learn their craft.

Before Becoming a Full-Time Writer

Before he became a well-known author, Haruf had many different jobs. He worked on a chicken farm and at a construction site. He also worked in hospitals and at a presidential library. He even taught English in Turkey as part of the Peace Corps. The Peace Corps is a program where Americans volunteer to help people in other countries. He lived with his wife, Cathy, in Salida, Colorado, until he passed away.

His Fictional World

All of Kent Haruf's novels take place in a made-up town called Holt. This town is in eastern Colorado. Holt is based on a real town called Yuma, Colorado, where Haruf lived for a while. His first book, The Tie That Binds, came out in 1984. It won an award and was recognized for its quality. Another novel, Where You Once Belonged, followed in 1990.

Popular Novels

His book Plainsong was published in 1999. It became a very popular book in the U.S. Many people loved its simple, beautiful story. One reviewer said it was "a novel so foursquare, so delicate and lovely, that it has the power to exalt the reader." Plainsong won several awards and was a finalist for the National Book Award.

Eventide came out in 2004. It was a sequel to Plainsong, meaning it continued the story of some of the characters. Critics praised its honest storytelling. A third book in this series, Benediction, was published in 2014.

His Last Book and a Movie

In the summer of 2014, Haruf finished his very last novel, Our Souls at Night. He completed it just before he died. The book was published in 2015, after his death. In 2017, Our Souls at Night was made into a movie. Famous actors Robert Redford and Jane Fonda starred in it.

Kent Haruf passed away on November 30, 2014, at his home in Salida, Colorado. He was 71 years old.

Awards and Recognition

Kent Haruf received many awards for his writing. Here are some of them:

• 1986 – Whiting Award for fiction
• 1999 – Finalist for the National Book Award for Plainsong
• 2005 – Colorado Book Award for Eventide
• 2009 – Dos Passos Prize for Literature
• 2012 – Wallace Stegner Award
• 2014 – Shortlisted for the Folio Prize for Benediction

Kent Haruf's Books

Novels

• The Tie That Binds (1984)
• Where You Once Belonged (1990)
• Plainsong (1999)
• Eventide (2004)
• Benediction (2013); this book was also made into a play in 2015.
• Our Souls at Night (2015); this book was made into a Netflix movie in 2017.

Essays

• "The Making of a Writer". This essay appeared in Granta Magazine in 2014.

Other Works

• West of Last Chance, a book with photographer Peter Brown (2008)