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4.58 AVERAGE
4.58 AVERAGE
While there were parts of this book that I really enjoyed, I think that I have determined that westerns are not for me.
4.5/5
Damn what a story. It took me a couple hundred pages to feel properly invested but by that point I was hooked. I don’t like westerns but this will be my exception. The characters are so real and fleshed out in a way that I’ve rarely experienced. I understand why people reread this book.
Damn what a story. It took me a couple hundred pages to feel properly invested but by that point I was hooked. I don’t like westerns but this will be my exception. The characters are so real and fleshed out in a way that I’ve rarely experienced. I understand why people reread this book.
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
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
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
sad
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
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-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 picked up this book with skepticism, fully not expecting to be impressed. A "classic" western didn't seem like my cup of tea, and I was wary of what the depictions of women and people of color would be. I also count Blood Meridian to be among my favorite books, and though not a fan of the classic hero-based Western genre, actually do love scholarly treatments of the American West and all that it encompasses, as well as the unflinching, morally ambiguous, dark, and philosophical Blood Meridian.
That said, by about 200 pages in (many people are right in saying it takes a while to really pick up momentum), I was hooked. I can truly say this is one of my favorite books of all time. It is thoroughly entertaining, filled with romance, adventure, deep emotion, complex and well-rendered characters, humor, and all without shying away from the brutal and seemingly random violence and tragedy of life.
I will say that the depictions of Black and Indigenous people leave a lot to be desired. Is it fair to expect anything more from a white male author writing in the 1980s? Maybe not. But still. I did find the characterization and writing of the women characters remarkably good, and perhaps the best of any I've seen from a male author. McMurtry's characters are memorable and incredible and they will stay with me for a long time.
I'm glad I read this and it will forever have an honored place on my shelves.
That said, by about 200 pages in (many people are right in saying it takes a while to really pick up momentum), I was hooked. I can truly say this is one of my favorite books of all time. It is thoroughly entertaining, filled with romance, adventure, deep emotion, complex and well-rendered characters, humor, and all without shying away from the brutal and seemingly random violence and tragedy of life.
I will say that the depictions of Black and Indigenous people leave a lot to be desired. Is it fair to expect anything more from a white male author writing in the 1980s? Maybe not. But still. I did find the characterization and writing of the women characters remarkably good, and perhaps the best of any I've seen from a male author. McMurtry's characters are memorable and incredible and they will stay with me for a long time.
I'm glad I read this and it will forever have an honored place on my shelves.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Mcmurtry has a great talent for creating fleshed out characters. All of them make stupid unfortunate decisions but I understand why every one was made. Because each character is three dimensional, Mcmurtry avoids much of racism and sexism associated with the genre and the time the book was published. Minus half a star for the weak ending to an otherwise expansive and fulfilling plot.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes