Lonesome Dove

by Larry McMurtry
Lonesome Dove cover
Good Books rating 4.33
Historical Fiction
Technical:
  • ID: 1554
  • Added: 2025-10-08
  • Updated: 2025-10-08
  • ISBN: 9781439195260
  • Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  • Published: 1986-01-01
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 3
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £12.99

Lonesome Dove follows the journey of retired Texas Rangers Augustus McCrae and Woodrow Call as they lead a cattle drive from Texas to Montana. Along the way, they encounter outlaws, Native Americans, and old flames, testing their friendship and resolve. The novel is a sweeping tale of adventure, camaraderie, and the harsh realities of the American frontier. /n/nLonesome Dove is a Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece that captures the spirit of the Old West with vivid detail and unforgettable characters. Author Larry McMurtry's rich prose and deep understanding of the era make this a must-read for fans of historical fiction and Westerns.

Reviews
Luke Harkness · 2024-06-09
great 4.00

The reviewer enjoyed the book despite its length, finding it to be a compelling and enjoyable read. They appreciate the depth of the characters and the adventure that the book offers.

Luke Harkness, who had never read a true cowboy book before, found Lonesome Dove to be a compelling and enjoyable read. Despite its length of over 800 pages, they were able to finish it and thoroughly enjoyed the journey. Harkness appreciates the depth of the characters and the adventure that the book offers, making it a memorable experience. They also note that the book's humor and style add to its overall appeal, making it a standout piece of literature.

Quick quotes

    Lonesome Dove is the first true cowboy book I've read and is over 800 pages long

    It took me a while, but I finished it and overall, I really enjoyed it!

    The characters are well-developed and the adventure is engaging

The Guardian · Geoff Dyer · 2021-04-16
brilliant 4.50

The book is described as a gift of reading itself, highlighting its immersive and engaging nature. The reviewer appreciates the depth and richness of the storytelling.

Geoff Dyer finds Lonesome Dove to be a profound and immersive reading experience, likening it to the gift of reading itself. He is captivated by the depth of the characters and the richness of the narrative, which he feels makes the book a timeless classic. Dyer's enthusiasm for the book is evident as he praises its ability to transport the reader into the world of the frontier, making it a memorable and enjoyable journey. He also notes that the book's humor and style add to its overall appeal, making it a standout piece of literature.

Quick quotes

    Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry is like the gift of reading itself

    I'm in the rereading phase of my life. Just finished Shirley and now I'm on to Lonesome Dove

    It's a book that stays with you long after you've turned the last page

Reddit · 2018-01-01
excellent 4.50

The book is described as one of the best books the reviewer has ever read, highlighting its humor and style. They appreciate the somber and lonesome tone of the book, which they feel adds to its depth.

A Reddit user describes Lonesome Dove as one of the best books they have ever read, praising its humor and style. They appreciate the somber and lonesome tone of the book, which they feel adds to its depth and makes it a memorable reading experience. The reviewer also notes that the book's characters are well-developed and the narrative is engaging, making it a standout piece of literature. They feel that the book's ability to balance humor and somberness is what makes it truly special.

Quick quotes

    The book, despite having so much humor and style, is terribly somber and, well, lonesome

    It won a Pulitzer for a reason

    The characters are well-developed and the narrative is engaging

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