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4.58 AVERAGE
4.58 AVERAGE
Y'all, I am shocked by two things right now. 1) That despite growing up in Texas, I had never read this book before. 2) That I liked it as much as I did.
I'm not really what you would call a fan of the western genre. While there are a few exceptions to the rule (True Grit, No Country for Old Men), it just hasn't been a genre that I've felt drawn to. But I kept hearing over and over again how good this book was. So I thought I should at least give it a chance. After all, it did win the Pulitzer so that had to mean something, right?
Yes, the book does start out a little slow. It takes its time. But it can afford to do that because it is over 900 pages long so it has some room to breathe. And after having recently finished The Stand, another multi-length epic, I was willing to go with it and give it the time and space it deserved.
Around page 100, I found myself feeling really invested in these characters and caring deeply about them. And the story really got to me. The plot is pretty simple but it will suck you in. I was completely absorbed in this book and couldn't put it down. I wanted to just keep reading and spend more time with all the characters. What most surprised me was how funny this book was. I found myself laughing at some parts and was surprised that there would be so much humor in it.
This is a true epic. Some characters die, some of them die quite tragically. And it is a testament to McMurtry's writing abilities that I found myself almost on the verge of tears when some of the characters died. It felt so unfair and so wrong, kinda how it feels in real life too. And many of the characters make really stupid decisions, ones that result in them getting killed. But I guess that is also how it is in life too, isn't it?
Note that the book doesn't really have any sense of closure. Yes, it does have an ending but it doesn't really feel like an ending in the traditional. I don't know if that is cause there is another book in the series or if it is because that is just how it had to be but be prepared for that fact.
So, here I sit, giving this book five stars much to my surprise. The hype was right about this one. Yes, it is long. Yes, there are long stretches where it seems like nothing happens. Yes, the portrayal of the Wild West does feel a bit cliched and stereotypical. But y'all, this book. I don't even know what else to say about it.
If you're looking for an epic that you can sink your teeth into and you've got a lot of time to kill, I urge you to give this one a try. Even if Westerns aren't your thing. Even if you don't like books like this. Give it a shot anyway. You may just find yourself surprised by how much you love it. I certainly did. One of the best books I have read this year. This is one I might have to read again someday so I can get sucked in all over again. This was my first Larry McMurtry novel but I can assure you that it will not be my last. What a treat he is!
I'm not really what you would call a fan of the western genre. While there are a few exceptions to the rule (True Grit, No Country for Old Men), it just hasn't been a genre that I've felt drawn to. But I kept hearing over and over again how good this book was. So I thought I should at least give it a chance. After all, it did win the Pulitzer so that had to mean something, right?
Yes, the book does start out a little slow. It takes its time. But it can afford to do that because it is over 900 pages long so it has some room to breathe. And after having recently finished The Stand, another multi-length epic, I was willing to go with it and give it the time and space it deserved.
Around page 100, I found myself feeling really invested in these characters and caring deeply about them. And the story really got to me. The plot is pretty simple but it will suck you in. I was completely absorbed in this book and couldn't put it down. I wanted to just keep reading and spend more time with all the characters. What most surprised me was how funny this book was. I found myself laughing at some parts and was surprised that there would be so much humor in it.
This is a true epic. Some characters die, some of them die quite tragically. And it is a testament to McMurtry's writing abilities that I found myself almost on the verge of tears when some of the characters died. It felt so unfair and so wrong, kinda how it feels in real life too. And many of the characters make really stupid decisions, ones that result in them getting killed. But I guess that is also how it is in life too, isn't it?
Note that the book doesn't really have any sense of closure. Yes, it does have an ending but it doesn't really feel like an ending in the traditional. I don't know if that is cause there is another book in the series or if it is because that is just how it had to be but be prepared for that fact.
So, here I sit, giving this book five stars much to my surprise. The hype was right about this one. Yes, it is long. Yes, there are long stretches where it seems like nothing happens. Yes, the portrayal of the Wild West does feel a bit cliched and stereotypical. But y'all, this book. I don't even know what else to say about it.
If you're looking for an epic that you can sink your teeth into and you've got a lot of time to kill, I urge you to give this one a try. Even if Westerns aren't your thing. Even if you don't like books like this. Give it a shot anyway. You may just find yourself surprised by how much you love it. I certainly did. One of the best books I have read this year. This is one I might have to read again someday so I can get sucked in all over again. This was my first Larry McMurtry novel but I can assure you that it will not be my last. What a treat he is!
“Life in San Francisco is still just life. If you want one thing too much it’s likely to be a disappointment. The healthy way is to learn to like the everyday things, like soft beds and buttermilk - and feisty gentlemen.”
Long read that hooked me in from the beginning with its western cowboy ranch hand lifestyle story.
Long read that hooked me in from the beginning with its western cowboy ranch hand lifestyle story.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
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
I'd had this book on my "to read" list for a long time, and I am so glad I read it. Wonderful story, rich characters.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
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
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-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
A magnificent book! War and Peace with cowboys!