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Lonesome Dove

Book 1 in the series:Lonesome Dove

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'Lonesome Dove' by Larry McMurtry is a sprawling epic Western novel that follows the journey of two aging ex-Texas Rangers, Augustus McCrae and Woodrow Call, as they set out on a perilous cattle drive from Texas to Montana. The narrative is rich in historical detail, exploring themes of friendship, adventure, love, and survival in the rugged landscape of the American West. Through vivid characterizations and intricate plotlines, the author paints a compelling portrait of the challenges and triumphs faced by a diverse cast of characters on their arduous journey.

Characters:

The characters are intricately drawn, showcasing average human complexities and desires, making them relatable and memorable as they navigate the challenging American frontier.

Writing/Prose:

McMurtry employs a third person omniscient style that provides depth to character experiences through rich descriptions and humor-laden dialogue, enhancing the emotional resonance of the narrative.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers around a cattle drive driven by two aging Texas Rangers and explores their pasts, relationships, and a harsh, often brutal landscape, intertwining numerous character arcs.

Setting:

The setting captures the American frontier's vast, harsh beauty, effectively grounding the reader in the post-Civil War era's challenging landscapes.

Pacing:

The pacing begins gradually through character introductions but accelerates once the cattle drive commences, keeping readers engaged despite some slower sections.
WHEN AUGUSTUS CAME OUT on the porch the blue pigs were eating a rattlesnake—not a very big one. It had probably just been crawling around looking for shade when it ran into the pigs. They were having ...

Notes:

Lonesome Dove was originally conceived as a screenplay before it became a novel.
The book won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1986.
The story is set in the late 1800s and follows two retired Texas Rangers on a cattle drive from Texas to Montana.
Major characters include Augustus McCrae and Woodrow F. Call, who are portrayed with deep flaws and complexities.
The novel's themes include aging, unacknowledged paternity, and the harsh realities of frontier life.
It is regarded as an epic Western but also subverts typical Western tropes by focusing on deeper character studies and moral ambiguities.
Larry McMurtry's narratives often explore the struggles of human emotion and relationships, particularly in the context of harsh environments.
The novel includes a diverse cast, featuring female characters like Clara and Lorena, depicted with more nuance than typical in the genre.
Despite its length, the book is praised for its engaging storytelling and character development that keeps readers invested.
The story includes moments of humor amidst its heavier themes, with characters often providing comic relief through their interactions.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include graphic violence, death, and sexual violence, all of which are depicted in a manner consistent with the gritty realism of the narrative.

Has Romance?

While romance exists in the novel, it is not the central focus; it plays a significant role in character development and plot progression.

From The Publisher:

The Pulitzer Prize--winning American classic of the American West that follows two aging Texas Rangers embarking on one last adventure. An epic of the frontier, Lonesome Dove is the grandest novel ever written about the last defiant wilderness of America.

Journey to the dusty little Texas town of Lonesome Dove and meet an unforgettable assortment of heroes and outlaws, whores and ladies, Indians and settlers. Richly authentic, beautifully written, always dramatic, Lonesome Dove is a book to make us laugh, weep, dream, and remember.

Ratings (124)

Incredible (51)
Loved It (54)
Liked It (16)
It Was OK (1)
Did Not Like (2)

Reader Stats (294):

Read It (118)
Currently Reading (5)
Want To Read (129)
Did Not Finish (4)
Not Interested (38)

9 comment(s)

Loved It
1 week

“Life in San Francisco is still just life. If you want one thing too much it’s likely to be a disappointment. The healthy way is to learn to like the everyday things, like soft beds and buttermilk - and feisty gentlemen.”

Long read that hooked me in from the beginning with its western cowboy ranch hand lifestyle story.

 
Loved It
1 month

The problem with reading a book AFTER you see the movie or mini-series is that the book holds very few surprises, if it was done right. Fortunately, they did Lonesome Dove justice in the mini-series, but I wish that I read the book first, for the richness of the words to be better absorbed. I cannot help but see the characters from the tv film when they speak in the novel, and pages blur into one another with the visuals of the film i mind.

So, do you read this? Yes, definitely, if you have not seen the mini-series. If you have watched it, then this book will hold nothing new, and will only give you an opportunity to relive the show at a slower pace. Too many books on my shelf to read to re-live a story at this time though. 4 stars.

 
Incredible
3 months

This massive book may have taken me about five months to read, but it was truly enjoyable from start to finish! It started off slow and lazy, just like a hot Texas day, introducing us gradually and intimately to a cast of fascinating characters. At first, the male characters' attitudes towards women was disgusting and off-putting, but gradually the female characters ended up being the most well-developed and interesting, strongest characters in the entire novel. I never knew how much sex slavery of women and girls was part of building the American frontier. This book is not a romantic movie version of the Wild Wild West. Even if the book moseys along a bit at the beginning, there was a part I reached, where I then proceeded to devour this book and could not stop reading it or thinking about reading it while I was away. I hit my stride reading it on vacation, and literally was reading in a public airport, with tears running down my face! Yah, that's embarrassing, but that's also a sign of good writing!

Pick this one up if you get a chance, particularly if you like long epic books about American history, like [b:Gone with the Wind|18405|Gone with the Wind|Margaret Mitchell|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328025229s/18405.jpg|3358283]

 
Loved It
2 years

The first hundred pages or so of this mammoth book about the American West are sluggish, but the rest of the book makes up for it. A lengthy story that is obviously well-researched, well defined characters and well written

 
Loved It
2 years

Massive tome. Western, with a lot of action, family drama and a cattle run.

 
Loved It
2 years

The finest Western ever penned. This is without a doubt a top-tier literary work. The book is somewhat graphic for my tastes, but the plot and the characters are fascinating. Pulitzer winner.

 
Loved It
2 years

This is easily in my top five favorite novels. This was the first western book I've ever read, and it definitely left me wanting to read more.

 
Incredible
2 years

I read it after watching the miniseries on TV. What an amazing story! Un-put-downable!

 
Loved It
2 years

You don't have to be a fan of westerns to appreciate the masterful storytelling, plotting, and character development in this novel.

 

About the Author:

Larry McMurtry (1936-2021) was the author of twenty-nine novels, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning Lonesome Dove, three memoirs, two collections of essays, and more than thirty screenplays. He lived in Archer City, Texas.

 
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