Lonesome Dove: A Novel

The quick summary of Lonesome Dove would be to say it's about a cattle drive from Texas to Montana. True, but it is about so much more. Call and McCrae lead a collection of vibrant characters into your reading space, and they might well be there to stay. You won't want to release them. Outside of being characters who have learned and continue to learn how to survive, they are not stereotypical. The relationships between men and women are complex, and the cowboys are not drawn in black and white but are colored by their fears, desires, pasts, and philosophies. There is drama and comedy, and some scenes that are profoundly moving. This novel could be a candidate for your list of favorites. It is now on mine. Read Lonesome Dove for the characters, for the action, for the smooth writing style. Read it because it's McMurtry.

It took me a few chapters to settle into Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry and get used to the dialogue. I knew it was a Pulitzer Prize winning novel and could see right away that the prose was exemplary. It's very lengthy at 960 pages and yet, I didn't feel it was a long read.The story itself is a simple one about a group of cowboys, headed by two former Texas Rangers, on a 3000 mile cattle drive from Texas to Montana. But it isn't just a story about the expected trials and travails encountered along the way, Lonesome Dove is about the complicated relationships between the two primary, and the many secondary, characters. The tale unravels at a very steady pace which allows the reader time to absorb all the exquisite details of the landscape, towns and life on the Frontier and the riveting dramatic highs and lows.The large cast of characters, some who flow in and out of the narrative, are brilliantly portrayed. With their individual strengths, frailties and peculiarities so well defined, it's easy to keep track of them all. The author has an uncanny knack of writing distinct dialogue, with humour, sarcasm, hope, fear, resentment, anger, regret, longing and love, all equally well expressed.McMurtry lures us into complacency as he sets up the story, introduces the characters and the story begins to unfold. When the drama arrives, it's hard-hitting and gut-wrenching, Death is always near.The cowboys' skills, courage to overcome their fears and endurance of the weather and endless days and nights in the saddle on the cattle drive is striking.The author has the amazing talent of creating heart rending insights into the mental states of his characters. We see the petty jealousies between the men and how irritated with and intolerant of each other they become as their enforced time together on the trail lengthens. The story centers on the unspoken emotions and thoughts of the characters, Clara being the exception. She's used to speaking her mind and likes an argument as much as Gus does. The excessive anxiety and runaway thoughts which result in obsessiveness debunks the myth of the strong silent cowboy. Our cowboys are fragile and silent for the most part.The few female figures are complex, independent and damaged. I was surprised by the depth of their bitterness and how adversarial they were towards the males. Most of the men come off badly, Gus less so because he genuinely knows and likes women. As my favourite figure, Gus McRae will be a character I remember for a long time. I love his wit, honesty, wisdom and audacity and that he's as flawed a man as there ever was.I found myself disappearing into McMurtry's world and often replayed scenes as I fell asleep. Lonesome Dove will be one epic of the Old West that stays with me for quite a while.

In Lonesome Dove, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Larry McMurtry delivers a monumental tale of the American West that captures the essence of frontier life through the experiences of two aging Texas Rangers, Woodrow F. Call and Augustus “Gus” McCrae. Embarking on one last adventure, the duo's journey from the dusty town of Lonesome Dove leads them into the heart of wild and untamed landscapes, where they encounter a vibrant cast of characters—heroes and outlaws, whores and ladies, Indians and settlers.McMurtry's masterful storytelling and richly authentic prose breathe life into the American frontier, offering readers a beautifully crafted narrative filled with humor, tragedy, and unforgettable moments. Through the trials and triumphs of Call and Gus, the novel explores themes of friendship, love, and the harsh realities faced by those who dared to forge their lives in a harsh and unforgiving landscape.Lonesome Dove is not just a novel; it's an epic journey that evokes laughter, tears, and deep reflection, making it a timeless classic that resonates with readers long after they close the book. This grand tale is a celebration of the spirit of the West and the enduring power of human connection, a must-read for anyone captivated by the allure of adventure and the complexities of life on the frontier.