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Lonesome Dove: A Novel Paperback – June 15, 2010

4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 19,613 ratings

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The Pulitzer Prize­–winning American classic of the American West that follows two aging Texas Rangers embarking on one last adventure. An epic of the frontier, Lonesome Dove is the grandest novel ever written about the last defiant wilderness of America.

Journey to the dusty little Texas town of Lonesome Dove and meet an unforgettable assortment of heroes and outlaws, whores and ladies, Indians and settlers. Richly authentic, beautifully written, always dramatic,
Lonesome Dove is a book to make us laugh, weep, dream, and remember.
"All the Little Raindrops: A Novel" by Mia Sheridan for $10.39
The chilling story of the abduction of two teenagers, their escape, and the dark secrets that, years later, bring them back to the scene of the crime. | Learn more

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From the Publisher

Editorial Reviews

Review

“If you read only one western novel in your life, read Lonesome Dove.”—USA Today

“Everything about
Lonesome Dove feels true . . . These are real people, and they are still larger than life.”—Nicholas Lemann, The New York Times Book Review

Lonesome Dove is Larry McMurtry’s loftiest novel."—Los Angeles Times

"A marvelous novel . . . moves with joyous energy . . . amply imagined and crisply, lovingly written. I haven't enjoyed a book more this year . . . a joyous epic."--
Newsweek

"The finest novel that McMurtry has yet accomplished . . .
Lonesome Dove has all the action anyone could possibly imagine . . . [and] both in general and in details, the authority of exact authenticity . . . superb."--Chicago Tribune

About the Author

Larry McMurtry (1936–2021) was the author of twenty-nine novels, including the Pulitzer Prize–winning Lonesome Dove, three memoirs, two collections of essays, and more than thirty screenplays. He lived in Archer City, Texas.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Simon & Schuster; Anniversary,Updated edition (June 15, 2010)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 864 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1439195269
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1439195260
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.55 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.25 x 1.9 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 19,613 ratings

About the author

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Larry McMurtry
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Larry McMurtry is the author of twenty-nine novels, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning Lonesome Dove. His other works include two collections of essays, three memoirs, and more than thirty screenplays, including the coauthorship of Brokeback Mountain, for which he received an Academy Award. His most recent novel, When the Light Goes, is available from Simon & Schuster. He lived in Archer City, Texas.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
19,613 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the characters interesting and likeable. They describe the book as a grand western epic with descriptive writing and an easy read. Readers appreciate the author's insights into human psychology and deep emotional investment in the characters. The book portrays realistic, believable situations and human emotions. The humor and pathos evoke laughter, tears, and reflection.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

350 customers mention "Character development"337 positive13 negative

Customers find the characters interesting and likeable. They appreciate the subtle variations of the narrator's voice. The characters are multidimensional, with good and bad traits, and muddy motivations. The book provides insights into life and different flavors of humanity, showing a dichotomy between men and women.

"...The cowboys' skills, courage to overcome their fears and endurance of the weather and endless days and nights in the saddle on the cattle drive is..." Read more

"...its a sad book with lots of goodbyes and death, and shows a dichotomy between the men and women (rough/wild living) vs civilization...." Read more

"...Even minor characters get distinctive traits. Lippy “was so named because his lower lip was about the size of the flap on a saddlebag...." Read more

"...We have various episodic character subplots that are revolving and happening simultaneously, and McMurtry allows these subplots to often converge so..." Read more

215 customers mention "Classic content"212 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the classic content of the book. They describe it as a grand western epic that captures the essence of the American West. The descriptions of pre-modern America feel realistic and make the reader feel like they have gone back in time. Readers find the book a timeless classic that has held up to today's market.

"A really long book, but a classic Western tale, that mixes romance, travel, and action...." Read more

"...Pulitzer Prize-winning author Larry McMurtry delivers a monumental tale of the American West that captures the essence of frontier life through the..." Read more

"...painted on a somewhat bigger canvas but "Lonesome Dove" is a very enjoyable Western, not a dud at all...." Read more

"...This is probably one of my favorite books. I thought it was wonderful in the 1980s when I first read it and its allure has recaptured me every time..." Read more

195 customers mention "Writing quality"179 positive16 negative

Customers find the writing quality excellent. They appreciate the descriptive passages and emotional content. The narration is superb, although the audio quality varies. The book is an easy read of a complicated story, with a high level of skill to be labeled literature. It's written in third-person omniscient and flows well.

"...The author has an uncanny knack of writing distinct dialogue, with humour, sarcasm, hope, fear, resentment, anger, regret, longing and love, all..." Read more

"...McMurtry writes in third-person omniscient, meandering from one character to the next and bringing them to life quickly and completely...." Read more

"...Excellent series to start at the beginning of winter. Fantastic writing, excellent character development. I love everything about these." Read more

"...storyteller if ever there is one - crams every page with beautifully descriptive passages, intensely emotional situations, and fast-paced action...." Read more

118 customers mention "Humor"101 positive17 negative

Customers find the book humorous and entertaining. They describe it as witty, with great dialogue that expresses emotions. Readers appreciate the author's empathy and humor. The story is described as emotional, heartwarming, and heartbreaking.

"...has an uncanny knack of writing distinct dialogue, with humour, sarcasm, hope, fear, resentment, anger, regret, longing and love, all equally well..." Read more

"...In general, its a sad book with lots of goodbyes and death, and shows a dichotomy between the men and women (rough/wild living) vs civilization...." Read more

"...Lonesome Dove is not just a novel; it's an epic journey that evokes laughter, tears, and deep reflection, making it a timeless classic that..." Read more

"...hard-boiled; poignant and violent; this novel is always fast paced, witty, and highly entertaining...." Read more

116 customers mention "Realism"86 positive30 negative

Customers enjoy the realistic portrayal of people, places, and situations in the book. They find the writing believable and authentic, perfectly capturing slices of humanity. The story is described as eye-opening and a true adventure that captures the essence of frontier life through the experiences of two characters. Readers appreciate the authenticity of every detail, including Bolivar's dinner bell.

"...I love his wit, honesty, wisdom and audacity and that he's as flawed a man as there ever was...." Read more

"...delivers a monumental tale of the American West that captures the essence of frontier life through the experiences of two aging Texas Rangers,..." Read more

"...with others, but his ignorance into this rugged lifestyle is an eye opening, coming of age and sometimes painful experience as he learns many harsh..." Read more

"...No language that intrigues, evokes, amazes. No intricacies of plot, nothing to suggest there is anything beneath the dusty, dry, flat surface...." Read more

115 customers mention "Insight"112 positive3 negative

Customers find the book insightful and emotional. They appreciate the author's ability to create deep emotional connections with the characters. The book brings the land and people to life with adventure, love, and compassionate moments. Readers find it uplifting and richer than expected, offering thought-provoking questions and meanings at different life stages.

"...The author has the amazing talent of creating heart rending insights into the mental states of his characters...." Read more

"...tears, and deep reflection, making it a timeless classic that resonates with readers long after they close the book...." Read more

"...of the work is vast in its scope, and it is an enduring and memorable expedition for the characters as well as the readers." Read more

"...- crams every page with beautifully descriptive passages, intensely emotional situations, and fast-paced action...." Read more

76 customers mention "Interest"71 positive5 negative

Customers find the book engaging and captivating. They describe it as an adventure that is beautiful and exciting. The author creates a vivid world that stirs their imagination. The characters are complex and unique, and the journeys they take are surprising and eloquent. Overall, the book sparks their desire for adventure and excitement.

"...With their individual strengths, frailties and peculiarities so well defined, it's easy to keep track of them all...." Read more

"...The story and volume of the work is vast in its scope, and it is an enduring and memorable expedition for the characters as well as the readers." Read more

"...They move me emotionally, they provoke my imagination, and they make me want to experience them over and over again...." Read more

"...This was a real, dusty, funny, tearful, beautiful adventure...." Read more

96 customers mention "Length"42 positive54 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's length. Some find it interesting and huge, while others feel it could be difficult to stay focused over time. They mention certain scenes go on too long, the book is not a page-turner, and there are repetitive commentary pages.

"...It's very lengthy at 960 pages and yet, I didn't feel it was a long read...." Read more

"...The story and volume of the work is vast in its scope, and it is an enduring and memorable expedition for the characters as well as the readers." Read more

"A really long book, but a classic Western tale, that mixes romance, travel, and action...." Read more

"Daughter asked for the book. It’s a nice size. It’s exactly as it should be. Delivered with no damage." Read more

If you read One Western in your life, read this one!
5 out of 5 stars
If you read One Western in your life, read this one!
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtryLiterally one of the BEST books I have ever read in my life..Larry McMurtry gives you so many characters and yet fleshes out every single one of them and makes you love or hate every single one,these Characters are literally some of the greatest of all time when it comes to fiction…Augustus McCrae might just be the best character ever written,and his friendship with Woodrow Call the best bromance/friendship in all of fiction as well… I just finished this book a few hours ago but can not stop thinking about it and has become one of my fav books of all time, I really look forward to the other 3 books now in the series!now I leave you with two amazing quotes by Gus…”It’s a fine world,though rich in hardships at time” and my personal favorite “It Ain’t Dying I’m talking about,It’s Living. I doubt it matters where you die,but it matters where you live.”
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2015
    It took me a few chapters to settle into Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry and get used to the dialogue. I knew it was a Pulitzer Prize winning novel and could see right away that the prose was exemplary. It's very lengthy at 960 pages and yet, I didn't feel it was a long read.

    The story itself is a simple one about a group of cowboys, headed by two former Texas Rangers, on a 3000 mile cattle drive from Texas to Montana. But it isn't just a story about the expected trials and travails encountered along the way, Lonesome Dove is about the complicated relationships between the two primary, and the many secondary, characters. The tale unravels at a very steady pace which allows the reader time to absorb all the exquisite details of the landscape, towns and life on the Frontier and the riveting dramatic highs and lows.

    The large cast of characters, some who flow in and out of the narrative, are brilliantly portrayed. With their individual strengths, frailties and peculiarities so well defined, it's easy to keep track of them all. The author has an uncanny knack of writing distinct dialogue, with humour, sarcasm, hope, fear, resentment, anger, regret, longing and love, all equally well expressed.

    McMurtry lures us into complacency as he sets up the story, introduces the characters and the story begins to unfold. When the drama arrives, it's hard-hitting and gut-wrenching, Death is always near.

    The cowboys' skills, courage to overcome their fears and endurance of the weather and endless days and nights in the saddle on the cattle drive is striking.

    The author has the amazing talent of creating heart rending insights into the mental states of his characters. We see the petty jealousies between the men and how irritated with and intolerant of each other they become as their enforced time together on the trail lengthens. The story centers on the unspoken emotions and thoughts of the characters, Clara being the exception. She's used to speaking her mind and likes an argument as much as Gus does. The excessive anxiety and runaway thoughts which result in obsessiveness debunks the myth of the strong silent cowboy. Our cowboys are fragile and silent for the most part.

    The few female figures are complex, independent and damaged. I was surprised by the depth of their bitterness and how adversarial they were towards the males. Most of the men come off badly, Gus less so because he genuinely knows and likes women. As my favourite figure, Gus McRae will be a character I remember for a long time. I love his wit, honesty, wisdom and audacity and that he's as flawed a man as there ever was.

    I found myself disappearing into McMurtry's world and often replayed scenes as I fell asleep. Lonesome Dove will be one epic of the Old West that stays with me for quite a while.
    16 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2024
    A really long book, but a classic Western tale, that mixes romance, travel, and action. A tale of 2 former Texas Rangers, their friendship, and the odyssey from Texas to Montana they take with the Hat Creek Outfit. Every character has his/her qualities, positive and negative, some get on your nerves and some you love.

    It's been a long time since I saw the TV series, but the cast of Duvall as McRae and Jones as the Captain seems perfect when reading the book.

    The book as usual has more than the TV series and some of the wording is "racy" and would not be politically correct today.

    In general, its a sad book with lots of goodbyes and death, and shows a dichotomy between the men and women (rough/wild living) vs civilization.

    Will be watching the TV series again to see how it plays out with the book.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2020
    Larry McMurtry’s Lonesome Dove starts with pigs and ends with sorrow. In between lies one of the best books I’ve ever read.

    The novel is set in the American West after the Civil War. The protagonists, Woodrow Call and Augustus “Gus” McCrae, are former Texas Rangers who retired a decade ago and spent the intervening years in the little Texas town of Lonesome Dove. Nominally, they run the Hat Creek Cattle Company with a few of their old comrades (and two blue pigs, who kick off the book by eating a snake). But mostly they’re just whiling away the hours.

    This part of the story is easy, pleasurable reading. McMurtry writes in third-person omniscient, meandering from one character to the next and bringing them to life quickly and completely. Call is a workaholic prone to brooding. (“Give Call a grievance,” we hear early on, “however silly, and he would save it like money.”) Gus is voluble and lazy. Pea Eye is simple but solid. Deets is as reliable as he is quirky (he makes his pants out of quilts). Newt is young and desperate to please.

    Even minor characters get distinctive traits. Lippy “was so named because his lower lip was about the size of the flap on a saddlebag. He could tuck enough snuff under it to last a normal person at least a month; in general the lip lived a life of its own, there toward the bottom of his face. Even when he was just sitting quietly, studying his cards, the lip waved and wiggled as if it had a breeze blowing across it.” And Joe “had a habit of staring straight ahead. Though Call assumed he had a neck joint like other men, he had never seen him use it.”

    For a while, it seems like the Hat Creek crew might putter around Lonesome Dove forever. Then Jake, another ex-ranger—on the run from the law, as it happens—rides into town and mentions that he’s been to Montana and seen vast tracts of good, unsettled land there. This lights a fire under Call. He spurs the boys into motion, leading them on cattle raids across the Mexican border and hiring extra hands to help drive the animals north. So begins a great, three-thousand-mile trek from some of the lowest latitudes of the country to the highest.

    Things get hairy almost immediately. Death comes fast on the drive, and the dangers are too varied to guard against: snake-plagued river crossings, lightning storms on the open plains, searing droughts, and worse. Likable characters are abused and killed. Some of your favorites won’t make it. Prepare to be heartbroken.

    Yet there’s no grand goal here. Call and Gus aren’t trying to open up the American West—they already served their time protecting settlers along the shifting frontier. Montana is a vague destination, not a mission; Call essentially leaves Lonesome Dove on a whim. Gus goes along for lack of anything better to do, but not eagerly. “Here you’ve brought these cattle all this way,” he complains to his partner around the halfway mark, “with all this inconvenience to me and everybody else, and you don’t have no reason in this world to be doing it.”

    McMurtry has plenty of reasons for the drive, though. In his preface to the 25th-anniversary edition of Lonesome Dove, he argues that “the central theme of the novel is not the stocking of Montana but unacknowledged paternity,” namely Newt’s. His mother is long dead, and his father might be one of the Rangers.

    But that wasn’t the thread that stood out most to me. The book is filled with restless souls regretting all sorts of errors. Gus wishes he’d married his sweetheart when he had the chance. “I expect it was the major mistake of my life, letting her slip by,” he tells Call. For his part, the quieter man laments getting involved with women at all. Jake can’t believe he’s committed hanging crimes. July Johnson, the Kansas sheriff pursuing Jake, hates himself for leaving three of his charges to face a murderer. And so on.

    Aging is the through-line here—aging and change. Gus and Call are past their primes. They were legendary Rangers once, but now they’re fading into irrelevancy. The younger generation doesn’t hold them in the same esteem. “I guess they forgot us, like they forgot the Alamo,” August observes after the owner of a bar tries to kick him out for demanding respectful treatment. “Why wouldn’t they?” Call answers. “We ain’t been around.”

    The West is moving on too. The buffalo are nearly done, pushed to the brink of extinction by wasteful hunting. Gus rides past several slaughter sites where it looks like “a whole herd had been wiped out, for a road of bones stretched far across the plain.” The Native Americans aren’t in much better shape—despite their fearsome reputation, their numbers have dwindled in tandem with the buffalos’. “With those millions of animals gone,” Gus reflects, “and the Indians mostly gone in their wake, the great plains were truly empty, unpeopled and ungrazed. Soon the whites would come, of course, but what he was seeing was a moment between, not the plains as they had been, or as they would be, but a moment of true emptiness, with thousands of miles of grass resting unused, occupied only by remnants—of the buffalo, the Indians, the hunters.”

    This is all tragic, but it’s beautifully done.

    A couple things bothered me, however. That 25th-anniversary preface contains what feel like major spoilers. They aren’t, but I’d still skip this section until you’re done with the story proper. (Unless you want to start the book as grumpy as I did.)

    More significantly, while Deets shines as the only African American in the Hat Creek outfit (“He’s the best man we got,” Call says late in the drive; “Best man we’ve ever had,” Augustus agrees), the one Native American that gets extended time on the page is a vicious monster. We meet some friendlier indigenous people in passing, but I kept waiting for a real counterweight: a kind Comanche, or a decent Sioux. It never happens. (To be fair, McMurtry does have Gus take a few stabs at articulating why the Native Americans aren’t always hospitable. “We won more than our share with the natives,” he remarks near the end of the novel. They didn’t invite us here, you know. We got no call to be vengeful.” And earlier, he puzzles Call by saying, “I think we spent our best years fighting on the wrong side.” I don’t think this is enough, but it’s something.)

    Other than that … it’s hard to complain. Lonesome Dove doesn’t close with a climactic shootout like you might find in other westerns. But it doesn’t need to. The journey—Gus and Call’s last shot at big, unnecessary adventure—is the point.

    And it’s a masterpiece.
    93 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Joanne F
    5.0 out of 5 stars Deserved a Pulitzer!
    Reviewed in Canada on August 29, 2024
    Brilliant book by an accomplished author. Never expected a Western to have such depth of story. Definitely recommended!
  • Pietro
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantástico
    Reviewed in Brazil on May 23, 2024
    Um livro inesquecível. Como toda obra de ficção nota 10, é sobre personagens realistas, cheios de falhas, muitas vezes contraditórios, com conflitos mais internos do que externos. Um livro pé-no-chão que mostra um Velho Oeste mais realista e pacato, sem o constante bangue-bangue, porém ainda com momentos de tensão críveis e marcantes. Recomendado para todos que gostam de arcos de personagem profundos.
  • Dr. Big Bear
    5.0 out of 5 stars Masterpiece!
    Reviewed in Germany on September 14, 2024
    The wild west, the fierce west; the disturbing west, the unsettling west; the inspiring west, the touching west. This is surely one of the best fictional works I have read in the past 15 years.
  • arpit singh
    5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome read
    Reviewed in India on August 19, 2024
    An awesome classic western, which doesnt glorify old times, life was hard for men women. We follow call and gus and their adventures in tragic journey. Beautiful writing by Larry.
  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars entretenido
    Reviewed in Spain on April 3, 2024
    Muy descriptivo en el ambiente de época, de paisajes y personajes. Una bonita hustoria