Reviews

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry

byp's review

4.0

3.5 stars, but I'm bumping it up because after 800+ pages, I feel like I still want to read about these characters. This is the first western I've ever read, so it took me a while to get into the style and language. I balked the first 100 times I read a man referring to "whores," but then you get the feel of how the word is really meant, and it's not so jarring. I loved the descriptions of the country, and the day-to-day lives of these characters, who absolutely feel like real people to me.

As far as Gus goes, obviously, I love him. He's funny and wry and keeps the book going, and no question is a total badass when it comes to rescuing Lorena (although he sure spends a long time hanging out with Buffalo Bones while she's being tortured). The whole think about cheating and cutting the cards, and then paying Lorena $50 doesn't sit well with me, though. Does he do that just to prove he can? I feel like the women is this book keep returning to being castrating harpies or greedy bitches. Even Clara becomes unsympathetic. It's nice to read about so many different female characters, but Lorrie becomes a mere shell, Ellie is a stone-cold bitch, and Clara is capable, but harsh. Not that the men fair well, either, but no woman is as sympathetic as Newt or Deets. Add on the whole savages thing, and it got a bit uncomfortable at times. Still, like Gone With the Wind, it's an engrossing, adventurous read, and I'm glad I finally got around to it.

robergeginette's review

adventurous dark sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

willfjennings's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing 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

5.0

drood's review

adventurous emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

p_oz1021's review

adventurous emotional sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This book is exactly what I was searching for, an epic tale about cowboys that was engaging, adventurous, and at times emotional. Very excited for the rest of the tetralogy

relates's review

adventurous challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

danielmay's review against another edition

4.0

The characters don’t feel fictional, and their hardships and struggles feel like those of a close friend. Too often novels are guilty of giving the reader what they want, a happy ending, but not Lonesome Dove. You want Call to accept Newt as his son, and for Gus to stay with Clara, and for Lorena to move on and be happy. Instead we have to accept the often painful (but beautiful) reality of life.

bookworm8815's review

adventurous emotional funny reflective sad tense fast-paced

5.0

jmac1220's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective sad slow-paced

4.5

lunabear33's review

adventurous reflective slow-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

4.5