Imagine my surprise this morning finding this post about Lonesome Dove in my emails! It filled me with memories. The first time I read the book, like you, I expected comical characters and to be entertained. While there are comical characters in Lonesome Dove, there is so much more. It is an extraordinary and tragic story of the old West. It’s so gritty that I would feel the dust that the cowboys would drag into a room. The first time I finished it, I immediately turned back to the first page and re-read it. A couple years later, I read it again. Then I searched out the mini-series (on VHS at the time), watched that several times through, and read all the sequels. Most definitely one of my favorite books of all times, the TV series became my favorite of its genre also. Robert Duval, Tommy Lee Jones, Diane Lane and that exquisite cast brought the book to life. Thank you for reminding me about this great American novel. I may be due for a return to the pages of Lonesome Dove! And remember… “We don’t rent pigs!”
I re-read “Lonesome Dove” last year after seeing it described in The New Yorker as “the ‘Ulysses’ of the Plains.” Not to mention, Tommy, Larry’s son James McMurtry, a Texas songwriter and singer whose narrative ballads channel his dad’s voice and ear for story. Check out James’ “Choctaw Bingo.” He’ll be at App State on Sept. 26. https://music.apple.com/us/album/choctaw-bingo/712174179?i=712174357
After reading Lonesome Dove, I found, bought, and read every single book Larry McMurtry ever wrote. Falling in love with the book caused me to fall in love with its author.
You had me with the Lewis Grizzard quote ! McMurtry’s characters are so perfectly imperfect! . The series was so well cast that everyone of them seems out of place in another film. And there are so many memorable quotes. Thanks for this reminder! Cheers! “Here’s to the sunny slopes of long ago.”
You motivated me to read Cold Mountain - a book I’d started a few times in the past but never finished. I’m nearing the end and feeling the satisfaction of finally tackling something I’d been hoping to accomplish. Also, it’s great that Frank Bruni included a reference to your rhinestones as mirrors line in your Dolly Parton remembrance. Someone in the Writing Shed comments had already noted the beauty of that comparison.
Just finished Lonesome Dove over the weekend as well. I miss those men and women. Now I have to wait four days for the sequels/prequels to get to my house. Not sure what to do in the meantime.
Right on as always, Tommy. My wife and I don’t agree about football (Steelers-Browns) but we both absolutely loved Lonesome Dove from page 1. What a story. Made me want to travel the path from Texas up through the Plains and up into Montana, just to see the vistas and imagine crossing those rivers. Have there been many characters more hauntingly fearsome than Blue Duck? And who wouldn’t mind an occasional poke?
I recommend Tracey Daugherty’s fantastic McMurtry biography. What an interesting, troubled, brilliant writer.
"Lonesome Dove" is one of my favorite books of all time. What a masterpiece. I was so sorry to finish it.
Imagine my surprise this morning finding this post about Lonesome Dove in my emails! It filled me with memories. The first time I read the book, like you, I expected comical characters and to be entertained. While there are comical characters in Lonesome Dove, there is so much more. It is an extraordinary and tragic story of the old West. It’s so gritty that I would feel the dust that the cowboys would drag into a room. The first time I finished it, I immediately turned back to the first page and re-read it. A couple years later, I read it again. Then I searched out the mini-series (on VHS at the time), watched that several times through, and read all the sequels. Most definitely one of my favorite books of all times, the TV series became my favorite of its genre also. Robert Duval, Tommy Lee Jones, Diane Lane and that exquisite cast brought the book to life. Thank you for reminding me about this great American novel. I may be due for a return to the pages of Lonesome Dove! And remember… “We don’t rent pigs!”
I re-read “Lonesome Dove” last year after seeing it described in The New Yorker as “the ‘Ulysses’ of the Plains.” Not to mention, Tommy, Larry’s son James McMurtry, a Texas songwriter and singer whose narrative ballads channel his dad’s voice and ear for story. Check out James’ “Choctaw Bingo.” He’ll be at App State on Sept. 26. https://music.apple.com/us/album/choctaw-bingo/712174179?i=712174357
I love the comparison to Ulysses!
After reading Lonesome Dove, I found, bought, and read every single book Larry McMurtry ever wrote. Falling in love with the book caused me to fall in love with its author.
You had me with the Lewis Grizzard quote ! McMurtry’s characters are so perfectly imperfect! . The series was so well cast that everyone of them seems out of place in another film. And there are so many memorable quotes. Thanks for this reminder! Cheers! “Here’s to the sunny slopes of long ago.”
“Those rhinestones were mirrors”. Four words revealed her brilliantly. ❤️
I read the Warmth of Other Suns last summer right after reading The Barn. I’d love to hear Wright and Isabell Wilkerson on a panel discussion.
You motivated me to read Cold Mountain - a book I’d started a few times in the past but never finished. I’m nearing the end and feeling the satisfaction of finally tackling something I’d been hoping to accomplish. Also, it’s great that Frank Bruni included a reference to your rhinestones as mirrors line in your Dolly Parton remembrance. Someone in the Writing Shed comments had already noted the beauty of that comparison.
Cold Mountain has one of the most beautiful and haunting endings I've ever read.
Just finished Lonesome Dove over the weekend as well. I miss those men and women. Now I have to wait four days for the sequels/prequels to get to my house. Not sure what to do in the meantime.
Right on as always, Tommy. My wife and I don’t agree about football (Steelers-Browns) but we both absolutely loved Lonesome Dove from page 1. What a story. Made me want to travel the path from Texas up through the Plains and up into Montana, just to see the vistas and imagine crossing those rivers. Have there been many characters more hauntingly fearsome than Blue Duck? And who wouldn’t mind an occasional poke?
I recommend Tracey Daugherty’s fantastic McMurtry biography. What an interesting, troubled, brilliant writer.