'Horseman, Pass By' by Larry McMurtry is a novel set in the dry, barren flatland of West Texas, focusing on the life of a teenager named Lonnie as he navigates the hardscrabble existence on his grandfather's ranch in the 1950s. The book provides a glimpse into ranch life in Texas, showcasing the relationships, struggles, and toxic masculinity prevalent in a small town setting. Through concise yet often poetic prose, the author captures the essence of coming of age in the mid-20th century West, painting a vivid picture of the setting and characters.
The novel delves into Lonnie's perspective as he tries to make sense of the world around him, including his relatives, friends, and the catastrophic events that unfold on his grandfather's farm. The story beautifully portrays the desolate yet full-of-life prairie, the challenges of growing up in a remote town, and the complex dynamics between characters, especially Lonnie and his grandfather. The narrative also explores themes of loss, change, and the evolving landscape of the West, offering a poignant reflection on vanished lives and lost times.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include themes of animal slaughter, toxic masculinity, and familial conflict, which could be distressing for some readers.
From The Publisher:
A stunning literary debut, Horseman, Pass By (1961) exhibits the "full-blooded Western genius" (Publishers Weekly) that would come to define McMurtry's incomparable sensibility. In the dusty north Texas town of Thalia, young Lonnie Bannon quietly endures the pangs of maturity as a persistent rivalry between his grandfather and step-uncle, Hud, festers, and a deadly disease spreads among their cattle like wildfire.
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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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