Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
by Jenners • 06/11/2009 • 5 Stars, Fiction, Historical, L Titles, M Authors, Western • 11 Comments
My Favorite Reads is hosted by Alyce at At Home With Books.
The idea is to write about some favorite books
that you read before you started blogging!
Today I want to shine a spotlight on
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
What I Say
This book is over 800 pages but you will not want it to end. The characters are unforgettable (I love Augustus McCrae!), the setting of the American West comes alive, and McMurtry’s storytelling is first-class. Everyone always talks about the Great American Novel. Well, I think Lonesome Dove should be a contender for the title. I read this book when I was just out of college after considerable prodding by my father. He is a huge fan of Westerns, and I am not. Finally, I gave in and immediately became hooked. I laughed, I cried, I wanted to be a cowboy. If you’ve never read Lonesome Dove, I urge you to give it a go — even if Westerns are not your thing. It is a novel that will stick with you, and the characters will remain with you forever. And as an added bonus, there is a fantastic mini-series available on DVD that is top-notch. The actors — especially Robert Duvall — really bring McMurtry’s characters to life.
I, too, Love Larry McMurtry and especially Lonesome Dove, although I'm usually not very interested in Westerns.
Streets of Laredo is a sequel to Lonesome Dove and Dead Man's Walk is a prequel, so you might be interested in those, too.
McMurtry has created such a wide range of novels, from Lonesome Dove to Terms of Endearment. He wrote The Last Picture Show, then returned to the town of Thalia for 5 more novels (with varying degrees of success.) And he ventures beyond novels —for example with Paradise, a travel log about the South Pacific.
McMurtry wrote the screenplay for Brokeback Mountain (and other films,) The film Boone's Lick (for which he wrote the novel and screenplay) is scheduled to come out in 2010 with Julianne Moore and Tom Hanks.
Oh, also one of my all-time favorite books. We *love* the mini-series with Robert Duvall. We watch it once a year or so. Who doesn't love Gus?
Great review. I'm not a huge fans of westerns mainly because I haven't read any. I might just have to give this one a go.
I've heard of the miniseries, but I've never seen it or read the book. Hmm, maybe this might be a good movie/book to do for the Take a Chance Challenge.
I know it's not the same, but I LOVE the movie – it's one of my all time favorites. I cry my eyes out every time I watch it. Oh yes! I love Augustus McCrae! And, the music in the movie even makes me cry. I wish I could read the book, but, don't know if I could tackle all those pages.
On another note, I'm excited to tell you I just started my first book for your 'Take a chance challenge'. Can't wait to write my review.
One of my favorite books ever!!!
I have to admit that I've never read the book or seen the movie. With such a rousing endorsement, this one definitely makes the wish list.
That sounds really good. Must put in on my list.
We must be kindred spirits, because Lonesome Dove is my favorite book EVER!!!
I really enjoyed the movie too! I would like to read this book. My father loved it. I remember how he raved about McMurty's character development. Thanks for the review!
Loooove the movie.. never read the book. I'll have to check it out.