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4.58 AVERAGE
4.58 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book really took me by surprise. I don't even know what to say about it, it was really just such a great book. The characters were so real but in such an understated way, it kind of sneaks up on you how much you feel like you KNOW them. And how, in this almost 1,000-page novel, the author wrote so many interesting plot lines that all made sense together and kept me fully invested the whole way through, I'll never know. I really just have to say, highly recommended, definitely worth your time.
Listened on audio. I can understand why this won awards; it depicts what real life was like in the West. The way it winds the story together is nice. But it was hard to get through. I didn't like any of the characters and some parts were hard to read. But the story will stick with me. I don't want to read another book like this but I'm glad I read this one.
adventurous
medium-paced
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Pleasantly surprised. Good read, 800 pages flew by.
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
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
adventurous
emotional
sad
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
This one breaks the star scale for me.
This is not just a story about cowboys, but it is a story about a cattle drive from south Texas to Montana led by two former Texas Rangers. This is not just a western, but there are cowboys & Native Americans and saloons and bandits and everything else in between. Lonesome Dove is simply brilliant and defies categorization to me. McMurtry created his characters with a depth and nuance that made we want to reach into the book and hug all of them. Not one is a cardboard character and McMurtry really takes his time revealing the complexities and motivations of each one. (Deets & Gus - I❤️U). The one emotion that I felt McMurtry encapsulated to a tee was longing. A male perspective on unrequited love was truly fascinating.
I LOVE a story line with a foreshadowed entanglement between the main characters & McMurty's version is the best I've read. You know there will be reckonings amongst the characters and boyyyyyyyy were there. I appreciated how nothing was wrapped up in a neat little bow - you don't leave the novel really feeling like anyone "won" which I think makes for a richer overall experience. Because life is hard. Life during this time period was harder in a lot of ways. Violence was aplenty - especially for women. Mother Nature is not forgiving when you're going up against her elements. And just when you think you've made it, some other force appears and shows you how wrong you are.
What I really will harp on is how McMurtry portrayed his male characters. He showed us how they wanted to act "tough" and "hard" while simaltaneously exposing their insecurities and frailties. I don't know if I've ever read a novel that has left me feeling that way before. After about 60-70 pages, I couldn't put it down and I was thinking about the novel when I wasn't reading it. I am not usually into Westerns. In fact, I remember my dad used to watch them a lot on TV and I would groan and comment how cheesy the whole thing was. This is not that. Read it, even if it's outside your comfort zone and your intimidated by a 900-page book. I promise it's worth it.
This is not just a story about cowboys, but it is a story about a cattle drive from south Texas to Montana led by two former Texas Rangers. This is not just a western, but there are cowboys & Native Americans and saloons and bandits and everything else in between. Lonesome Dove is simply brilliant and defies categorization to me. McMurtry created his characters with a depth and nuance that made we want to reach into the book and hug all of them. Not one is a cardboard character and McMurtry really takes his time revealing the complexities and motivations of each one. (Deets & Gus - I❤️U). The one emotion that I felt McMurtry encapsulated to a tee was longing. A male perspective on unrequited love was truly fascinating.
I LOVE a story line with a foreshadowed entanglement between the main characters & McMurty's version is the best I've read. You know there will be reckonings amongst the characters and boyyyyyyyy were there. I appreciated how nothing was wrapped up in a neat little bow - you don't leave the novel really feeling like anyone "won" which I think makes for a richer overall experience. Because life is hard. Life during this time period was harder in a lot of ways. Violence was aplenty - especially for women. Mother Nature is not forgiving when you're going up against her elements. And just when you think you've made it, some other force appears and shows you how wrong you are.
What I really will harp on is how McMurtry portrayed his male characters. He showed us how they wanted to act "tough" and "hard" while simaltaneously exposing their insecurities and frailties. I don't know if I've ever read a novel that has left me feeling that way before. After about 60-70 pages, I couldn't put it down and I was thinking about the novel when I wasn't reading it. I am not usually into Westerns. In fact, I remember my dad used to watch them a lot on TV and I would groan and comment how cheesy the whole thing was. This is not that. Read it, even if it's outside your comfort zone and your intimidated by a 900-page book. I promise it's worth it.
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
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
This book built its world and characters seamlessly, it was such an extraordinary book at giving people full lives and feelings, without belaboring. Truly a gem. “The reason men are awful is because some woman has spoiled them.”
“I don’t know, Gus,” Lorena said. “Seems like I change every day.” “Oh, like most people do,” he said, watching her.
“I don’t know, Gus,” Lorena said. “Seems like I change every day.” “Oh, like most people do,” he said, watching her.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is easily a 5 star read. The only thing I wish were better was McMurtry’s depiction of woman. All the women in the book were quite one dimensional and flat. But the tone and dialogue and male character plot development was so good otherwise, I couldn’t help but love it