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adventurous
emotional
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Rape, Violence, Kidnapping
Moderate: Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence
Minor: Child death, Genocide, Gun violence, Misogyny, Death of parent
adventurous
challenging
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don't even know how to rate or review this properly. I've never read a true Western, and I'm glad this was my first. So many feelings, thoughts, conflicting opinions...all I know is this could have gone on 1,000 more pages, and I'd have been along for the ride.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Grief, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death
Minor: War
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I preface this review with saying that I really enjoy westerns. I watched The Magnificent Seven as a kid, and plenty of spaghetti westerns on TV. Tombstone was one of my favorite movies growing up, and I've read from classic authors such as Louis L'Amour and Zane Grey. Why, then, had I never read McMurtry? This book was on my list for so long that I feared I'd never get to it. Two plane trips and one holiday season later and I've finished it, and I'm here to say that it was... fine.
The book takes 250 pages just to get started (the cattle drive doesn't start driving until almost a third of the way through the book). The characters all speak the same, so it's hard to separate them in your mind. They're either not very bright, or stubborn, or keep making poor decisions, and it gets quite frustrating for the reader. They all seem unable to speak from their heart or show emotion, which constipates them all. It's also not a very believable story- it's as if the author did his research to determine what could possibly occur to a bunch of cowboys pushing cattle from Texas to Montana, and included EVERY SINGLE THING he found. Snakes in a river? Hail the size of softballs? Sandstorms? Snowstorms? Native Americans? Grizzly bear encounter? PUT IT ALL IN. It got to the point where I found myself commenting "Really? Come on" at the pages. If you were playing bingo, you'd win, several times. The novel also ends very abruptly, almost as if the author got up one day and decided he was done on a page turn. The 850 plus page novel leaves more questions than answers.
I'm surprised that McMurtry didn't provide a list of characters at the beginning of the novel, as well as a map of the cattle drive to Montana. This would have been beneficial to refer back to, as I kept forgetting who was who and where they were in the journey.
What did I like? For the cattle drive section, it read smoothly and I was mostly engaged with the story. I read it mainly for the few characters I did like, mostly Newt, Dish, Pea Eye and Deets, the only capable cowhands in the bunch. I am intrigued enough to try the next in the series to see what happens to the remaining characters. All in all, it would have been much better if it had started with the cattle drive, included some reference material and eased up on the bingo game. It was fine enough, but nothing life-altering or causing me to rethink my favorite books of all time list.
The book takes 250 pages just to get started (the cattle drive doesn't start driving until almost a third of the way through the book). The characters all speak the same, so it's hard to separate them in your mind. They're either not very bright, or stubborn, or keep making poor decisions, and it gets quite frustrating for the reader. They all seem unable to speak from their heart or show emotion, which constipates them all. It's also not a very believable story- it's as if the author did his research to determine what could possibly occur to a bunch of cowboys pushing cattle from Texas to Montana, and included EVERY SINGLE THING he found. Snakes in a river? Hail the size of softballs? Sandstorms? Snowstorms? Native Americans? Grizzly bear encounter? PUT IT ALL IN. It got to the point where I found myself commenting "Really? Come on" at the pages. If you were playing bingo, you'd win, several times. The novel also ends very abruptly, almost as if the author got up one day and decided he was done on a page turn. The 850 plus page novel leaves more questions than answers.
I'm surprised that McMurtry didn't provide a list of characters at the beginning of the novel, as well as a map of the cattle drive to Montana. This would have been beneficial to refer back to, as I kept forgetting who was who and where they were in the journey.
What did I like? For the cattle drive section, it read smoothly and I was mostly engaged with the story. I read it mainly for the few characters I did like, mostly Newt, Dish, Pea Eye and Deets, the only capable cowhands in the bunch. I am intrigued enough to try the next in the series to see what happens to the remaining characters. All in all, it would have been much better if it had started with the cattle drive, included some reference material and eased up on the bingo game. It was fine enough, but nothing life-altering or causing me to rethink my favorite books of all time list.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Rape, Kidnapping
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Sexism, Violence
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A book firmly ensconced in its setting - a broad journey through the western genre. Some tough characters, some haunted, some you want to slap upside the head.
With many storylines that cross and intertwine, it still felt clear and easy to sort out who is who. The opening scene with the debate over the sign was one of my favorite parts of the book.
As kids we always played our pretend frontier skirmishes with indigenous folks winning the day in the end and ngl a bit of that rose up in my heart while reading. McMurtry does hint at some of the negative impacts of western expansion on both the decline of bison herds and occasional sympathetic encounter with displaced tribes, but it is more firmly seated in the western perspective. He doesn’t shy away from the uglier sides of the western story, whether from unpleasant events, perceptions, terms/names, etc.
If you can take a bit of trail grit in your coffee, pad your saddle and settle in for a long adventure.
With many storylines that cross and intertwine, it still felt clear and easy to sort out who is who. The opening scene with the debate over the sign was one of my favorite parts of the book.
As kids we always played our pretend frontier skirmishes with indigenous folks winning the day in the end and ngl a bit of that rose up in my heart while reading. McMurtry does hint at some of the negative impacts of western expansion on both the decline of bison herds and occasional sympathetic encounter with displaced tribes, but it is more firmly seated in the western perspective. He doesn’t shy away from the uglier sides of the western story, whether from unpleasant events, perceptions, terms/names, etc.
If you can take a bit of trail grit in your coffee, pad your saddle and settle in for a long adventure.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, Sexual content, Xenophobia
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Lawd have mercy, this was nearly a DNF so many times! I listened to this audiobook at X1.25 and it was still a slog! Yes, it’s an epic western. Yes, there are great moments and vast complex character development but YES these moments are between MANY OTHER meandering moments of riding the plains and whoring. So many prostitutes. Also got put off by its classic western racism, no matter how realistic it was for the times. I was determined to finish it because I thought I would eventually run into the thing that makes this book so lovable and the GOAT for folks. I never found it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Racial slurs, Racism, Torture, Violence, Alcohol, Colonisation
Moderate: Death, Rape, Sexual violence, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
funny
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
How do I sum up Lonesome Dove?
I feel accomplished for completing it. The humor throughout sustained me. The humor also grounded the story, making it feel more real. I think if the humor wasn’t present, I would’ve abandoned or at least thought less of the story.
The length of the book is mostly fitting, since it makes you feel like you’re trudging along at the same pace as the rest of the Hat Creek Outfit. Will the story stay with me? Maybe, vaguely. I’m somewhat curious about how Newt and Clara’s stories would evolve. Not sure I’ll continue reading the trilogy since I read that the next book in the series centers on Call. I wasn’t a fan of his character and lack of growth for 800+ pages. I mean sure it’s realistic, but he disappointed and annoyed me.
Favorite Characters: Gus, Newt, Deets, Po Campo, Clara, the pigs
Most exhausting characters: Call, Lorena, July, Elmira, Bob (the descriptions of his personality pre-accident)
I feel accomplished for completing it. The humor throughout sustained me. The humor also grounded the story, making it feel more real. I think if the humor wasn’t present, I would’ve abandoned or at least thought less of the story.
The length of the book is mostly fitting, since it makes you feel like you’re trudging along at the same pace as the rest of the Hat Creek Outfit. Will the story stay with me? Maybe, vaguely. I’m somewhat curious about how Newt and Clara’s stories would evolve. Not sure I’ll continue reading the trilogy since I read that the next book in the series centers on Call. I wasn’t a fan of his character and lack of growth for 800+ pages. I mean sure it’s realistic, but he disappointed and annoyed me.
Favorite Characters: Gus, Newt, Deets, Po Campo, Clara, the pigs
Most exhausting characters: Call, Lorena, July, Elmira, Bob (the descriptions of his personality pre-accident)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder
Moderate: Body horror, Child death, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Pregnancy
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Vomit
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I could have read 500 more pages, don't let the page count intimidate you! I loved this book. The plot has a great balance between page-turning thrills and incredible character and setting development. I felt like I was on the cattle drive myself! McMurtry's writing style is easy to read, and his characters are so memorable. I'll miss reading about Gus, Clara, Newt, Call, and Lorie, will be recommending this book to anyone and everyone!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault
adventurous
emotional
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I don't really understand the hype of this book. Well, I do and I don't. The story itself is pretty awful, and none of the characters are people I'd want to befriend. Everyone is out for themselves, and the spirit of the Wild West is in every nook of every person. Some of the story was also quite ridiculous - are Lorena and Clara the only women of value? Even then, they are treated pretty abysmally.
Of course I couldn't help but think of Taylor Sheridan's 1883, especially given both journeys are to end in Yellowstone. It's also just as littered with tragedy and sorrow.
I can see why people would gravitate toward this book. A lot to ponder and lots to discuss to consider regardless of where you land on the political spectrum. I can see people claiming the book represents all sorts of ideas and ideals. I suppose that's what makes this book brilliant.
I shall probably not read the other three. This book was exhausting!
Of course I couldn't help but think of Taylor Sheridan's 1883, especially given both journeys are to end in Yellowstone. It's also just as littered with tragedy and sorrow.
I can see why people would gravitate toward this book. A lot to ponder and lots to discuss to consider regardless of where you land on the political spectrum. I can see people claiming the book represents all sorts of ideas and ideals. I suppose that's what makes this book brilliant.
I shall probably not read the other three. This book was exhausting!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, Dysphoria, War, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
I think I could read about the wild wild west of Texas and it’s Cowboys and Indians forever and ever.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Violence
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Kidnapping, Alcohol