January discussion thread: Lonesome Dove

[SusanH]

Here is a place to discuss Lonesome Dove as you read. Let us know where you are and what you think. As always, beware of spoilers.

~Susan and Caryl

[Caryl]

...and I think I'm finally getting into the story. I'm not a fan of westerns at all, so the start of this book was tough for me. But now that they are starting to go off on adventures, I am getting more interested. (Thank you, Call, for pushing these guys! )

[Lisa Jo]

Caryl, this may be the only western I've ever read, as it's a genre completely unappealing to me. What I loved about this book (from memory anyway, we'll see how it reads to me now, 15+ years later) was McMurtry's storytelling ability. He spins a great yarn using folksy language, wonderful imagery, and characters that seem real and whole.

I am currently on page 158 but I broke out in a big smile right on page 1, at "Pigs on the porch just made things hotter, and things were already hot enough." I really enjoy the way he writes! After reading this book I tried a few other McMurtry books but none of them held a candle to Lonesome Dove.

[Caryl]

Originally Posted by Lisa Jo

I am currently on page 158 but I broke out in a big smile right on page 1, at "Pigs on the porch just made things hotter, and things were already hot enough."

Yes, Lisa, I laughed at that, too! I'm going to try to get some more reading time in tonight, and I'm looking forward to seeing how this horse situation turns out. And I am starting to care about the characters. At first, they just felt like your typical western caricatures, but now I'm beginning to see their depth. I want to protect Newt, I admire Deets' wisdom and I want to know more about Call.

Caryl

[carissanboys]

Have any of you seen the miniseries that was done on TV? Probably one of the best. I've never read the book, although I intend to at some point. If you haven't seen the miniseries, you might be interested in watching it after you read the book. I'm sure it's available on DVD or video. It's full of great actors!

[jennifershepard]

I'm only on page 12, which is slightly less than 1/90th of the way to the end. And there's a sequel to this?

So far I'm trying to imagine that this is the sort of novel Dickens would have written if he'd been plunked down in Texas.

But, seriously, what's with the pigs?

[amykw33]

Originally Posted by jennifershepard

I'm only on page 12, which is slightly less than 1/90th of the way to the end. And there's a sequel to this?

So far I'm trying to imagine that this is the sort of novel Dickens would have written if he'd been plunked down in Texas.

But, seriously, what's with the pigs?

OK, now I have to pick up this book. I've been thinking about reading it, but between Dickens and the pigs... how can I pass up reading it?!?!

[Caryl]

Originally Posted by jennifershepard

I'm only on page 12, which is slightly less than 1/90th of the way to the end. And there's a sequel to this?

So far I'm trying to imagine that this is the sort of novel Dickens would have written if he'd been plunked down in Texas.

But, seriously, what's with the pigs?

ROFL! Just wait, Jen. There's more pig fun to come.

And your Dickens comment encourages me to continue! Actually, I haven't read any of the book yet today, and I can't wait 'til the kids are in bed and I can get to it. (I'm almost 300 pages in.) I think that's the first I've felt that pull you get with a good book with this one.

Yes, Amy, join us!

And Carissa, I just talked to my mom last night, and she really enjoyed the miniseries, too. I'll have to see if my library has it.

Caryl

[Maribeth]

I just finished it yesterday and I really enjoyed it. I think there were a couple of things that made me really love it:

1) I've seen snips of the miniseries. My folks actually have a copy. Robert Duvall plays Gus and I can hear his voice so clearly when I read his dialog. Tommy Lee Jones plays Call, Robert Urich plays Jake, Ricky Schroder is Newt, Danny Glover is Deets, and Diane Lane is Lorena. Oh - and Anjelica Huston is Clara. I can't remember anybody else but just knowing those actors and how they speak really brought the book to life for me. It's good that I saw so little of the movie because it would have spoiled the surprises in the book. I do want to watch it now though.

2) When I was a teenager, my older brother used to bring seabags full of books home on leave from the Navy - nothing else to do when you're stuck at sea for 6 months at a stretch. He was an avid fan of James Michener. One day he handed me Centennial and said he thought I'd like it. We were living in Wyoming at the time and the setting of the book is that area of Colorado and Wyoming so it really hit home. It seemed awfully daunting to read a book that long but since Mark took the initiative with the book (and we had NOTHING else in common except reading), I read the book just to be nice - and fell in love with Michener and long epic novels. I ended up reading all of his books. Lonesome Dove reminds me of Michener's work (without all the excess detail) and why I love long books. This is a book I would have shared with Mark (he died 5 years ago) but I'm willing to bet he read it when it first came out!

I don't want to say too much more about the book because I don't want to spoil anything for those working through it.

I've heard that there is a sequel and two prequels. After reading Lonesome Dove, it's hard to imagine that McMurtry wrote Terms of Endearment. Talk about different genres!

Mari

[Caryl]

Mari, your thoughts on this book make me excited to get back to it (and to watch the miniseries!) I enjoyed your thoughts about your brother Mark.

A question for everyone: When exactly is this novel supposed to take place? What year(s)? Any guesses?

Caryl