Scan barcode
A review by celestesbookshelf
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
The book was published 1985 and is based on the late 1870s. We start off in Texas, near the Mexican border and are introduced to Gus and Call, two retired, well-known Texas rangers.
The plot of the book begins when an old compañero, Jake Spoon, tells them that paradise is in Montana. That they should be the first to settle a cattle ranch. Call becomes enthralled with this idea and so the great journey from Texas to Montana begins.
This journey encounters snake-infested rivers (nightmares), sand storms, grasshopper clouds (yes, literally), long stretches without water or other people. And when there are people the cowboys are concerned about Indians.
In order to enjoy this book it’s important to have a detached view on the blatant racism in the book. The verbal derogatory remarks are aimed at native Americans, Mexicans, Black people, sex workers, and at one point indirectly Asians.
As a Mexican woman there were points where I felt disappointed at the way Mexicans are spoken to and of. However, I chose to think of it as the author being historically accurate and it’s better to recognize the racism that minorities have overcome rather than change history and pretend 1870s cowboys weren’t bigoted.
Spoilers below 👇🏼
I enjoyed this novel quite a bit, I felt sad at the end. I felt the characters all went through so much and it was all for nothing.
Their efforts were futile, Gus dies alone. Call makes it to Montana but never manages to recognize Newt as his son, he loses his best friend, settles his cattle herd but then has to leave for a year to go back to Lonesome Dove. Dish never moved past Lorena.
Lorena is in a much better place than when she started out but is now consumed by her grief for Gus. However, this turn of events added to the realism of the novel. Not all pursuits lead to a happy ending.
Part of the novel takes place in San Antonio, my hometown, one of the saloons they visit is still standing. It’s now a Texas Ranger museum although still a saloon. I’m going to plan a visit in the near future as this novel has awoken an interest in Texas Rangers.
Follow me on Instagram: @celestes.bookshelf for more book reviews and bookish posts.
The plot of the book begins when an old compañero, Jake Spoon, tells them that paradise is in Montana. That they should be the first to settle a cattle ranch. Call becomes enthralled with this idea and so the great journey from Texas to Montana begins.
This journey encounters snake-infested rivers (nightmares), sand storms, grasshopper clouds (yes, literally), long stretches without water or other people. And when there are people the cowboys are concerned about Indians.
In order to enjoy this book it’s important to have a detached view on the blatant racism in the book. The verbal derogatory remarks are aimed at native Americans, Mexicans, Black people, sex workers, and at one point indirectly Asians.
As a Mexican woman there were points where I felt disappointed at the way Mexicans are spoken to and of. However, I chose to think of it as the author being historically accurate and it’s better to recognize the racism that minorities have overcome rather than change history and pretend 1870s cowboys weren’t bigoted.
Spoilers below 👇🏼
I enjoyed this novel quite a bit, I felt sad at the end. I felt the characters all went through so much and it was all for nothing.
Their efforts were futile, Gus dies alone. Call makes it to Montana but never manages to recognize Newt as his son, he loses his best friend, settles his cattle herd but then has to leave for a year to go back to Lonesome Dove. Dish never moved past Lorena.
Lorena is in a much better place than when she started out but is now consumed by her grief for Gus. However, this turn of events added to the realism of the novel. Not all pursuits lead to a happy ending.
Part of the novel takes place in San Antonio, my hometown, one of the saloons they visit is still standing. It’s now a Texas Ranger museum although still a saloon. I’m going to plan a visit in the near future as this novel has awoken an interest in Texas Rangers.
Follow me on Instagram: @celestes.bookshelf for more book reviews and bookish posts.