Reviews - Lonesome Dove | The StoryGraph

4.27k reviews for:

Lonesome Dove

Larry McMurtry

4.58 AVERAGE

fessiej's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous emotional funny inspiring sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

tankfurter's review against another edition

4.75

adventurous dark emotional sad tense

This book started slowly, even by my fantasy reader standards, and it took around 125 to 150 pages before things truly locked in and the narrative began to evolve. Yet, once it took off, I was genuinely amazed by how much I loved it. On the surface, it seems like just another cowboy story, but it quickly reveals itself as a surprisingly deep commentary on the human condition. In fact, it reminds me strongly of modern grimdark fantasy, with morally grey characters performing actions you'd never associate with traditional heroes.

McMurtry crafts a world that feels simultaneously vast and intimate. The sense of scale he creates with the land, contrasted against the sparse population of the era, brings the Wild West vividly to life. He also excels at subtly changing your perception of characters without relying on grand, overt twists. Instead, he achieves this through gradual revelations and interactions, quietly shifting your sympathies and understanding. Characters I initially disliked became more understandable, while those I trusted revealed troubling depths.

The flawed nature of humanity is brilliantly portrayed throughout the narrative, making it unlike any book I've read before. Every time I thought I knew what to expect, the story took a completely different path. Relationships, especially the profound yet succinctly conveyed bond between Gus and Call, add layers of depth that lingered with me long after finishing the book.

Overall, this book is a powerful exploration of character and setting, leaving a profound and lasting impact.

It has been a long time since the ending of a book has left me feeling this empty and not sure what to do with myself.