Title: Lonesome Dove
Author: Larry McMurtry
First published January 1, 1985
960 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780671683900 (ISBN10: 067168390X)
Rating: 4.52
Overview
Larry McMurtry’s Lonesome Dove is a breathtaking tale of love, adventure, and the American frontier. This Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece is the third book in the Lonesome Dove series and takes readers on a journey to the rugged town of Lonesome Dove, Texas.
Meet an unforgettable cast of characters including outlaws, heroes, ladies, whores, settlers, and Indians. With rich authenticity and beautiful writing, this epic novel is a true masterpiece that will make you laugh, cry, and remember the last days of the wild west.
Get lost in the grandeur of Lonesome Dove and experience the beauty and danger of the American wilderness.
About the Author
Larry McMurtry, a renowned novelist and screenwriter, was born on June 3, 1936 in Wichita Falls, Texas. His extensive body of work includes twenty-nine novels, three memoirs, two essay collections, and over thirty screenplays.
One of his early novels, Horseman, Pass By, was adapted into the film “Hud.” McMurtry’s talent for storytelling has also led to several of his other novels being adapted into movies and a television mini-series.
In 2006, McMurtry received numerous accolades for his work on “Brokeback Mountain,” including co-winning the Best Screenplay Golden Globe and the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. His contributions to literature and film have made him a highly respected figure in both industries.
Editoral Review
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry is a western classic that takes readers on an unforgettable journey through the American frontier. Published in 1985, the book has won numerous accolades and became a major TV series.
McMurtry was an award-winning author, who penned over thirty novels and screenplays, including The Last Picture Show and Terms of Endearment. Lonesome Dove is a timeless masterpiece that masterfully encapsulates the ethos of the Old West while revisiting some of its most notorious characters.
The book’s plot revolves around two retired Texas Rangers, Gus McCrae and Woodrow F. Call, who decide to embark on a perilous cattle drive from south Texas to Montana.
Along the way, they encounter thieves, outlaws, and hostile tribes, all while struggling to maintain the unity of their ragtag group of cowboys. McMurtry’s writing is evocative and richly detailed, capturing the rugged landscape and rough-hewn characters of the West with an authenticity that makes the book feel like an eyewitness account.
The characters are colorful and fully fleshed out, with backstories and motivations that add depth to their actions and dialogue. Gus and Woodrow are particularly memorable, with their contrasting personalities and steadfast loyalty to each other providing a powerful emotional anchor for the story.
At its core, Lonesome Dove is a meditation on the fleeting nature of life and the bonds that hold us together. The book explores themes of friendship, loyalty, justice, and mortality with a sensitivity and nuance that are rare in western literature.
Amidst the violence and hardship of the setting, McMurtry infuses the story with moments of humor, tenderness, and poignancy that elevate it to the level of great literature. While Lonesome Dove is an excellent book, it is not without its flaws.
The pacing can be slow at times, and some readers might find the book’s length daunting. Additionally, the book’s treatment of Native Americans has been criticized for perpetuating negative stereotypes and romanticizing the white cowboy experience.
Overall, Lonesome Dove is a landmark in western literature and a must-read for anyone who loves epic tales of adventure and human drama. It is a book that transcends genre, with a universal appeal that speaks to our shared human experience.
If you’re looking for a gripping, emotionally resonant story that will transport you to a distant time and place, look no further than Lonesome Dove. Rating: 4.5/5
