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Tuesday, October 26, 2021

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry ★★★★★

Two coyboys on hourseback with a sunset backdrop
This has defiantly become one of my favorite novels though it's hard to explain why. The meat of the story is about two retired Texas Rangers who decide to leave their south Texas ranch and drive cattle to Montana. As there are no ranches currently in the wilds of Montana this is both an opportunity for financial gain and adventure for two restless older men. 

Lonesome Dove is a multi-character driven tale told in many POVs and short flashbacks. Mostly it's a medley of stories of unrequited love. Really, I dare you to find a book with more unrequited love. Add to that, the whole book ending in a twenty-page John Mayer song and I have to admit if I had read this review I would not have picked up this book. Oh, there are also plenty of gunfights, brutal deaths, and humor, but none of the aforementioned would have caught my interest.

Thankfully, I went into it blind on a whim to read a Pulitzer and I am so glad I did! The writing is effortless and engaging, I could have happily read fifty pages of Lonesome Dove every night for the rest of my days. 

This was my first full on Western, and likely has spoiled me for the genre, but has me very interested in other Pulitzers. I generally ignore Man Booker winners as that seems to be the prize for Most Depressing Book of the Year. 

Whatever your main genre you must read Lonesome Dove, it's worthy of every single accolade. Five Fat Happy Stars.

Special thanks to Vicki Willis from Horror Aficionados who gave this to me for Christmas! Goodreads friends are the best!

2 comments:

  1. Great review, Lena! I have seen the movie, but haven't read the book. Need to read it at some point too. :)

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