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A review by byp
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
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.
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.