Reviews tagging 'Kidnapping'

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry

53 reviews

adventurous funny reflective slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I knew this was a legendary book before reading it & I was fairly overwhelmed by it's heft but, I dove in headfirst & plowed through it & I wanted more when it was over. What a story! If this isn't the greatest American novel ever written, it will make do until I figure out which one is. Mcmurtry's prose is phenomenal & his cast of characters are diverse and each unique in their own way. I definitely plan on reading the rest of this series at some point. This is classic Americana & Western Adventure at it's finest!

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing sad tense slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous emotional sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This book was not at all what I expected, and it was so much better.

I truly think this is some of the best character writing I have ever read. Every character felt so real, and I felt like I knew them to the point where I was disappointed when they made poor choices, but never surprised. So much of what happens in this book is tragic, but the characters are what kept me going. I'm taking off half a star because the Native American characters are the only ones who don't get the same in-depth treatment as the rest of the cast, with the exception of Blue Duck. It feels like too much of an omission for a book whose characters are so developed otherwise.

But this book was incredible, and I can see myself re-reading it at another point in my life when it's not spread out over four months. Warning to prospective readers, though: I was sobbing on the bus with snot running down my face at one point.

Also, shout-out to that random scene with a crazy entomologist for one page. That was delightful and I'm considering including a quote from it in future presentations I give.

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adventurous challenging dark hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective relaxing sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I truly took to heart, the quote about reading only one western, and how it should be Lonesome Dove. Truly a classic and a pinnacle read of character work and description. You feel yourself grow with the characters and enjoy their presence among the pages.

I look forward to following the other novels of the series and more of McMurtry's work

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous challenging informative sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous emotional funny sad tense

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous reflective slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

McMurtry has a wonderful ability to conjure interesting characters with a name and a short anecdote. You find yourself caring deeply about them all, entering each chapter unsure if they will be met with joy or hardship. Incredible things happen, but the novel retains a feeling of realism and plausibility, never breaking your immersion. It is an epic adventure and a rich story. I felt that unique sadness that many readers will recognise from finishing a special book.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous emotional medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous funny sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings