Thanks for your thoughts on this tremendous novel, whose story has egaged so many people. IMO, it's quite simple: Lonesome Dove is The Story of Life. Especially about how to keep going when heartbreaking tragedy strikes, and the choices people make that inexorably change their futures as well as the lives of those connected to them.
Lonesome Dove was great. Dodge City I see on your shelf was really good too. Another really great read and nonfiction piece of history about the west is Empire Of The Summer Moon by S.C. Gwynne
I believe you would be pleasantly surprised by the miniseries. Especially the performances of Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones. It actually comes as close as you can imagine to being faithful to the novel.
I enjoyed your review of Lonesome Dove, I stumbled on to it this morning. It truly is an epic novel, I’m guessing you already know the two main characters are loosely based on the lives of Charles Goodnight and Oliver Loving.. If you haven’t read the account of Charles Goodnight’s incredible life, I would recommend the book by J.Evetts Haley.. Mr McMutry being a north central Texas resident would have no doubt heard the stories passed on in cowboy culture about these two incredible individuals. If you enjoy western/cowboy history written by those who endured it then I would recommend The Log of a Cowboy by Andy Adams. Also. A Cowmans Wife by Mary Kidder Rak is an excellent lighthearted read.. And lastly, do yourself a favor and watch Lonesome Dove the mini series.. Simon Wincer did an incredible job capturing the essence of the book. Although impossible to place every page on film he did manage to keep the characters and story true to the novel. I would consider it the best western ever produced for television..
Really enjoyed this epic book. I’ve had it in my library for many years. It’s over 800 pages and well worth the read. I just finished reading it again. (I think I’ve read it 6 times.) Well written!
I loved this book! I thought your perspective on aging was really interesting. I am in my 30s, and I would love to read this again in a few years and see how it resonates with me. I also really enjoyed your thoughts on those two scenes as well as the conflict between civilization and "savagery". Women may not have been the focus of the book, but I felt they haunted the whole story and were the driving force behind many of the decisions made. Call is haunted by his relationship with Maggie, which drives a wedge between him and Newt. I daresay that's why he always needs a challenge...because if he sits still, he will have to come face to face with his loneliness. The lost chance at a life with Clara haunts Gus and motivates him to take the trip with Call. Then of course there's July/Elmira and Dish/Lorie. Bolivar had problems with his wife...and, well, you know what happened to Po Campo's wife. Even the final line was about Wanz/Lorie. Almost all the men...if not all of them...face a sense of isolation because they can't relate to women. I totally agreed with your take on Clara. I too saw her home as this haven in the middle of a somewhat barren plain. Everything - and everyone - seemed to blossom in her presence (interesting, though, that she had difficulties getting her flowers to survive in the wind). I also found it interesting that Lorena, though circumstances gave her no choice but to be a prostitute, maintained a sense of agency. For example, she refused customers when she wanted to. I found her to be very brave. I would love to hear your take on Elmira, as well as Jake Spoon -- particularly his fate.
I've read discussions about Gus and Call describing them as Epicurean and Stoic respectively. I feel like that's a good framework for their characters in a historical sense.
This is such a great book. Enjoyed the idea that you read it for the underlying philosophy. Perhaps I'm not the best person to say this, but I agree with you about the female characters in this book. Clara has to be among the strongest female characters in literature. She is fiercely independent, far more competent and stronger than most of the men in her life, and unwilling to sublimate who she is even for Gus. Lorrie is a survivor. She survives all the worst things that man can do and be, but she remains, in a way, hopeful. Her strength is less evident perhaps, but it is there. And, the relationship that develops between these to woman is such a powerful statement about the bonds that can exist between women in the absence of and even if defiance of the impact that men.
Bookish Well said! You developed out the point about the women very nicely. I was impressed by Lorrie’s strength as well and loved that she was able to witness and learn from Clara that she could be an independent woman.
For the one who pointed the “underlying philosophy”, it made me realize why like it so much. Thought provoking….
Thanks for your thoughts on this tremendous novel, whose story has egaged so many people. IMO, it's quite simple: Lonesome Dove is The Story of Life. Especially about how to keep going when heartbreaking tragedy strikes, and the choices people make that inexorably change their futures as well as the lives of those connected to them.
Great video! Really appreciated your thoughts on the novel.
Lonesome Dove was great. Dodge City I see on your shelf was really good too. Another really great read and nonfiction piece of history about the west is Empire Of The Summer Moon by S.C. Gwynne
Thanks, Bookish! Your mention of the “underlying philosophy” made me realize why I like this book so much. Thought provoking…..
I believe you would be pleasantly surprised by the miniseries. Especially the performances of Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones. It actually comes as close as you can imagine to being faithful to the novel.
Great video ❤️
I enjoyed your review of Lonesome Dove, I stumbled on to it this morning.
It truly is an epic novel, I’m guessing you already know the two main characters are loosely based on the lives of Charles Goodnight and Oliver Loving..
If you haven’t read the account of Charles Goodnight’s incredible life,
I would recommend the book by J.Evetts Haley..
Mr McMutry being a north central Texas resident would have no doubt heard the stories passed on in cowboy culture about these two incredible individuals.
If you enjoy western/cowboy history written by those who endured it then I would recommend The Log of a Cowboy by Andy Adams.
Also. A Cowmans Wife by Mary Kidder Rak is an excellent lighthearted read..
And lastly, do yourself a favor and watch Lonesome Dove the mini series..
Simon Wincer did an incredible job capturing the essence of the book.
Although impossible to place every page on film he did manage to keep the characters and story true to the novel.
I would consider it the best western ever produced for television..
Glad you enjoyed my review Aaron! Thank you for all the recommendations. I will certainly look into them.
Really enjoyed this epic book. I’ve had it in my library for many years. It’s over 800 pages and well worth the read. I just finished reading it again. (I think I’ve read it 6 times.) Well written!
My girlfriend recently read this and absolutely loved it. Thanks for sharing your experience!
I loved this book! I thought your perspective on aging was really interesting. I am in my 30s, and I would love to read this again in a few years and see how it resonates with me. I also really enjoyed your thoughts on those two scenes as well as the conflict between civilization and "savagery".
Women may not have been the focus of the book, but I felt they haunted the whole story and were the driving force behind many of the decisions made. Call is haunted by his relationship with Maggie, which drives a wedge between him and Newt. I daresay that's why he always needs a challenge...because if he sits still, he will have to come face to face with his loneliness. The lost chance at a life with Clara haunts Gus and motivates him to take the trip with Call. Then of course there's July/Elmira and Dish/Lorie. Bolivar had problems with his wife...and, well, you know what happened to Po Campo's wife. Even the final line was about Wanz/Lorie. Almost all the men...if not all of them...face a sense of isolation because they can't relate to women.
I totally agreed with your take on Clara. I too saw her home as this haven in the middle of a somewhat barren plain. Everything - and everyone - seemed to blossom in her presence (interesting, though, that she had difficulties getting her flowers to survive in the wind).
I also found it interesting that Lorena, though circumstances gave her no choice but to be a prostitute, maintained a sense of agency. For example, she refused customers when she wanted to. I found her to be very brave.
I would love to hear your take on Elmira, as well as Jake Spoon -- particularly his fate.
I've read discussions about Gus and Call describing them as Epicurean and Stoic respectively. I feel like that's a good framework for their characters in a historical sense.
This is such a great book. Enjoyed the idea that you read it for the underlying philosophy.
Perhaps I'm not the best person to say this, but I agree with you about the female characters in this book. Clara has to be among the strongest female characters in literature. She is fiercely independent, far more competent and stronger than most of the men in her life, and unwilling to sublimate who she is even for Gus. Lorrie is a survivor. She survives all the worst things that man can do and be, but she remains, in a way, hopeful. Her strength is less evident perhaps, but it is there. And, the relationship that develops between these to woman is such a powerful statement about the bonds that can exist between women in the absence of and even if defiance of the impact that men.
Bookish Well said! You developed out the point about the women very nicely. I was impressed by Lorrie’s strength as well and loved that she was able to witness and learn from Clara that she could be an independent woman.
Yes it is a great book, did you know that Larry McMurtry has a son named James McMurtry and he is a musician.
I did not know this! I’ll look him up.