Lonesome Dove

Lonesome Dove
By Larry McMurtry
Simon & Schuster, 1985. 945 pgs. Fiction.

Gus McCrae and Woodrow Call are former Texas Rangers who own a cattle company in south Texas. Having hunted Indians and tamed most of Texas in their younger years, the two regard this time in their life differently—Gus is content to drink whiskey and spend time with the local prostitute, Lorena, while Call only works all day long. Restless and ready for a new opportunity, Call decides to steal cattle from Mexico and drive them to Montana (where he’s never been) to establish a ranch and see a new country. Gus and Call recruit local cowboys for their journey and set off, having many adventures and meeting old and new friends along the way. During the journey, Call confronts harsh truths about himself and Gus deals with the two women in his life.

I had never read a western before this, but I loved it. I loved the friendship between the two men and their adventure. The writing was incredible (it won a Pulitzer Prize) and the story great. I wasn’t ready for the book to end when it did. And the ending was memorable, concluding with a story and a word that was unexpected, touching, and funny.

MN