Lonesome Dove — Pre-Reading Guide
Read this before you start the book
📖 What Is This Book?
Lonesome Dove is a Pulitzer Prize-winning epic western novel by Larry McMurtry, published in 1985. It tells the story of two retired Texas Rangers, Augustus “Gus” McCrae and W.F. “Captain” Call, who decide to drive a herd of cattle from the Rio Grande in Texas to the unsettled frontiers of Montana. It is widely considered one of the greatest American novels and the definitive novel of the American West.
Basic Facts:
- Author: Larry McMurtry (1936-2021)
- Published: 1985
- Length: ~850-950 pages (depending on edition)
- Reading Time: ~25-30 hours
- Genre: Western, Historical Fiction, Epic
- Setting: Texas, The Great Plains, and Montana (late 1870s)
- Awards: Pulitzer Prize for Fiction (1986)
🏆 Why Is This Book Important?
Literary Significance
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De-romanticizing the West
- Unlike traditional westerns that glorify the cowboy life, McMurtry shows the grit, dust, boredom, and danger.
- He intended it as an “anti-western” to criticize the myth of the Old West, though ironically, it became the most beloved western of all time.
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Character Depth
- The characters are fully realized, complex human beings, not cardboard cutouts of heroes and villains.
- Gus and Call represent two opposing philosophies of life (hedonism vs. stoicism) that define the American character.
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The “Great American Novel” Contender
- It captures the scale and spirit of America—its vast landscapes, its violence, its optimism, and its tragedy.
Cultural Impact
- Revived the Western Genre: The genre was considered dead in the 80s until this book (and the subsequent miniseries) revived it.
- The Miniseries: The 1989 TV adaptation starring Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones is legendary, but the book offers far more internal depth.
🎯 What to Think About As You Read
Key Questions to Keep in Mind
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Gus vs. Call: Which way of living is “right”?
- Gus enjoys life (talk, drink, women) but is lazy; Call works hard and leads but cannot enjoy anything or express feeling.
- Who is the better man? Who is happier?
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Why leave Lonesome Dove?
- The drive to Montana is arguably pointless. Why do they go? Is it for money, glory, or just to escape boredom?
- Consider the theme of “movement for movement’s sake.”
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How are women portrayed in this tough world?
- Pay attention to Lorena and Clara. They are not just damsels; they have their own agency and struggles in a male-dominated world.
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The End of an Era
- The book is set when the “Wild West” is dying. The Rangers are retired; the Indians are mostly subdued; civilization is encroaching.
- How do the characters deal with becoming obsolete?
Themes to Watch For
- Unrequited Love: Almost everyone in the book is in love with someone who doesn’t love them back, or who they can’t be with.
- Friendship: The bond between Gus and Call is the core of the book—a marriage of opposites.
- Death and Randomness: Death comes suddenly and often without “meaning.” It’s not always a blaze of glory; sometimes it’s just an accident.
- The Power of Myth: How the characters talk about themselves vs. who they really are.
📚 A Note on Structure
The novel is divided into three parts:
- Part I: The Road (The journey begins in Texas)
- Part II: The Plains (The crossing of the vast middle of America)
- Part III: Montana (The arrival and the aftermath)
It is a long journey. Don’t rush. The pace mimics the cattle drive—slow, steady, with moments of sudden terror.
💡 Reading Tips
- Savor the Dialogue: McMurtry is a master of dialogue. Gus McCrae’s speeches are some of the funniest and wisest in literature.
- Track the Names: There is a large cast (The Hat Creek Outfit). You’ll get to know them all, but maybe keep a small list at first.
- Don’t Skip the Descriptions: The landscape is a character. Feel the heat, the dust, and the river crossings.
🎯 Your Reading Goals
- Understand the duality of the Western myth (freedom vs. hardship).
- Analyze the complex friendship between Gus and Call.
- Reflect on the nature of regret and the passage of time.
Ready to read?
“Uva Uvam Vivendo Varia Fit” — The cluster of grapes changes by living.
Open the book and saddle up.