Lonesome Dove Book Summary

Lonesome Dove, written by Larry McMurtry and published in 1985, is a western novel that tells the story of two retired Texas Rangers named Gus and Call. Having spent most of their lives as cowboys, the two friends decide to embark on a cattle drive to Montana in the late 19th century. This epic adventure takes them through multiple states, including Texas, Kansas, and Montana.

Throughout the novel, the pair encounters various dangers, including violent clashes with Native Americans and harsh terrain. The cattle drive itself is a symbol of the American West and the cowboy way of life. The story is told through the eyes of multiple characters, allowing readers to gain insight into the various aspects of life on the frontier.

Gus and Call are two of the most beloved characters in the novel, and each represents different aspects of the cowboy archetype. Gus is the philosophical and humorous cowboy, while Call is the stoic, duty-bound, and reserved cowboy. Other notable characters include Clara Allen, Augustus’s former love interest, who provides the romantic subplot of the novel, and Jake Spoon, an old acquaintance of the Rangers, who joins the cattle drive but ends up causing trouble.

Lonesome Dove explores various themes, including the cost of loyalty, the dangers of the frontier, and the role of community. McMurtry’s writing style is engaging, and he masterfully balances humor and tragedy throughout the novel. The theme of friendship and loyalty is prominent, especially between Gus and Call.

The success of the novel led to various adaptations, including a popular miniseries in 1989, starring Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones. Lonesome Dove has received widespread critical acclaim and is considered to be one of the greatest western novels of all time.

Lonesome Dove is a must-read for anyone interested in westerns, American history, or great storytelling. With its deep characters, compelling plot, and evocative writing, it is a true masterpiece of the genre and a testament to Larry McMurtry’s talent as a writer.

Book Description

Lonesome Dove is a novel written by Larry McMurtry that was published in 1985. The book spans over 900 pages and covers the epic adventure of two retired Texas Rangers, Gus and Call, who embark on a cattle drive to Montana in the late 19th century. The novel won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1986 and is considered one of the greatest western novels of all time.

McMurtry is known for his ability to create characters that are complex, endearing, and relatable. Lonesome Dove is no exception, and readers are sure to fall in love with the two main characters. The novel is masterfully written and explores themes such as loyalty, the dangers of the frontier, and the role of community.

The novel is divided into three books: Leaving, On the Trail, and Return. Each book covers a different part of the cattle drive and sets the tone for the overarching themes. The novel is rich in historical detail and accurately depicts the landscape and the people of the American West.

Lonesome Dove has been widely praised for its rich characters, engaging plot, and immersive world-building. The novel has won multiple awards, including the Spur Award and the Western Heritage Award. It has sold millions of copies worldwide and has been translated into multiple languages.

Character Analysis

Gus and Call are the two main characters of the novel and are loved by readers for their distinct personalities that represent different aspects of the cowboy archetype. Gus is a philosophical and humorous cowboy, who always speaks his mind and likes to think deeply about life. His humor provides a nice contrast to the otherwise serious nature of the novel. On the other hand, Call is a stoic, duty-bound, and reserved cowboy who takes his responsibilities seriously. He has a strong sense of duty and always puts his mission ahead of his personal feelings.

Their different personalities sometimes cause conflict between them, but their bond is unbreakable. Gus is more interested in enjoying life and making the most of the present, while Call is more focused on following the rules and making sure everything is done properly. This conflict between the two characters highlights the different perspectives of cowboys during the time.

In addition to the main characters, there are other notable characters who play important roles in the story. Characters like Clara Allen, Augustus’s former love interest, provides a romantic subplot to the novel. Jake Spoon, an old acquaintance of the Rangers, joins the cattle drive but ends up causing trouble. The sub-characters help to deepen the story and add extra layers to the novel.

To sum up, Lonesome Dove’s two main characters, Gus and Call, represent different sides of the cowboy archetype. Their distinct personalities add depth to the story and make it an engaging read.

Sub-Characters

In addition to Gus and Call, Lonesome Dove features a range of other well-developed characters. Clara Allen, for instance, is Augustus’s former love interest, who appears in the novel as a widow. Clara provides the romantic subplot of the story and serves as a reminder of Augustus’s past.

Jake Spoon is another notable character introduced in the novel. An old acquaintance of the Rangers, Jake joins the cattle drive but eventually causes trouble. His actions have severe consequences for the other characters, and the cowboy’s reckless behavior challenges the loyalty between the characters.

Apart from Clara Allen and Jake Spoon, other characters like Deets, Newt and Lorena also play significant roles in the story, contributing to its immersive world-building and engaging plot.

The complex characterizations of McMurtry make each character stand out in their own way and demonstrate a range of emotions and motivations. The sub-characters add depth and intrigue to the world McMurtry created and provide insight into the numerous facets of the cowboy archetype. Through this nuanced characterization, Lonesome Dove presents an accurate portrayal of the complexities of human relationships, loyalty, and harsh realities faced by those living in the Old West.

Analysis

Lonesome Dove is a novel that explores several themes, ranging from the cost of loyalty and the dangers of the frontier, to the role of community and the human condition. The novel introduces the reader to the life of the characters, as well as the harsh reality of living in the American West during that period.

One of the central themes of the novel is loyalty, which is explored through the deep friendship between Gus and Call. The cost of loyalty is also explored as Gus and Call embark on a dangerous cattle drive, sacrificing their personal comfort and safety to achieve a bigger goal.

Another theme is the frontier and the dangers that come with living in it. McMurtry’s descriptions of the harsh terrain and the violent clashes with Native Americans highlight the dangers associated with the frontier, which was an important part of the American West during that period.

The role of community is another theme present in the novel, as the characters bond together to achieve a common goal. The idea of community is explored through the characters’ interactions and their ability to overcome physical and emotional obstacles together.

McMurtry’s writing style is engaging, and he masterfully balances humor and tragedy throughout the novel. His descriptions of the characters and their struggles are vivid and immersive, drawing the reader into the world of the novel.

Lonesome Dove is a novel that explores several themes, offers a glimpse into a tumultuous period in American history, and features compelling characters and masterful writing. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the Western genre or American history.

Symbols and Themes

The cattle drive portrayed in Lonesome Dove is not just a plot device, it also carries symbolic meaning throughout the novel. It represents the American West and the cowboy lifestyle of the late 19th century, where men would drive cattle across vast distances in treacherous terrain to earn a living. The cattle drive was a test of endurance, skill, and courage, and was a way for cowboys to prove themselves and earn their reputation.

However, the dangers of the frontier were always present, and the cattle drive in Lonesome Dove highlights this fact. Gus and Call’s journey is filled with violent clashes with Native American tribes, extreme weather conditions, and life-threatening diseases. This conflict between man and nature is a major theme in the novel and emphasizes the harsh reality of life on the frontier.

In contrast to the dangers of the frontier, the theme of friendship and loyalty is also prevalent in Lonesome Dove. Gus and Call have a deep bond that extends beyond their time as partners in the Texas Rangers. Their loyalty to each other is tested throughout the novel, but their friendship remains unwavering. This theme of friendship is also evident in the relationships between other characters, such as Newt and Deets, which adds an emotional depth to the novel.

Other important symbols and themes in Lonesome Dove include women’s roles in the West, the cost of violence, and the struggle to find meaning in life. McMurtry’s skillful use of symbolism and themes makes Lonesome Dove not just an entertaining novel, but a thought-provoking one.

Reviews

Lonesome Dove has received widespread critical acclaim and has been praised for its captivating storytelling, richly drawn characters, engaging plot, and immersive world-building. Many readers and critics alike consider it Larry McMurtry’s masterpiece and one of the greatest western novels of all time.

Writing for The New York Times, Christopher Lehmann-Haupt called the novel an “exhilarating, enthralling achievement” and praised McMurtry’s ability to “create characters of astonishing depth and breadth.” The Washington Post’s Patrick Anderson hailed it as “a great American novel more complex and ambitious than anything you have ever read in that genre.”

On Goodreads, Lonesome Dove has an impressive rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars based on tens of thousands of reviews. Many readers praise the way the novel balances humor and tragedy and the emotional impact of the characters’ journeys. On Rotten Tomatoes, the miniseries adaptation of the book has a 97% approval rating, with critics praising its authenticity, performances, and faithfulness to the source material.

Lonesome Dove is a critically acclaimed and beloved masterpiece that has stood the test of time and continues to captivate readers and audiences decades after its initial publication. It is a must-read for anyone who loves great literature, westerns, or just good storytelling.

Details

Lonesome Dove is a western novel that takes place in the late 19th century and spans across multiple states, including Texas, Kansas, and Montana. The novel is centered around two retired Texas Rangers, Gus and Call, who are on a cattle drive journey to Montana. Once it was published in 1985, it quickly became one of the greatest western novels of all time and won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1986.

The novel was even adapted into a popular miniseries in 1989 starring Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones. The miniseries was loved by both fans of the book and people who had never read it. The miniseries was so popular that it won seven Emmy Awards and was nominated for twelve more.

Throughout the novel, the reader is taken on a thrilling adventure along with Gus, Call, and the other characters. The story is full of twists and turns, as well as danger and drama.

Larry McMurtry does an excellent job at describing the American West and giving readers a sense of what it was like to live in that time period. His attention to detail is meticulous, and he creates a world that is both captivating and believable.

The adaptation of Lonesome Dove has since been released on DVD and has been remastered for high definition. It continues to attract new fans and remains one of the most beloved western stories of all time.

News about Lonesome Dove

Although there may not be any recent news about the original book, the legacy of Lonesome Dove continues to live on through various adaptations. One such adaptation is the stage play, which was first performed in 2016 by the Montana Repertory Theatre and has since been performed by other theaters across the country.

Another adaptation is the prequel novel, Dead Man’s Walk, which was published in 1995. The novel explores the early years of Gus and Call’s friendship and their experiences as Texas Rangers. It was also adapted into a miniseries in 1996, which serves as a prequel to the Lonesome Dove miniseries.

the Lonesome Dove miniseries continues to be popular among audiences. It was released on DVD in 2002 and is now available for streaming on various platforms. The miniseries has also been screened in theaters and at film festivals.

In 2017, a four-part sequel to the miniseries, titled Lonesome Dove: The Outlaw Years, was released. However, it was not as well-received as the original and has largely been forgotten by audiences.

while there may not be any recent updates about the book itself, the legacy of Lonesome Dove is alive and well through its various adaptations and the continued popularity of the original miniseries.

Ratings

Lonesome Dove has become an instant classic, winning multiple awards and receiving high praise from critics and readers alike. It has an impressive 4.6 rating out of 5 on Goodreads, indicating how widely loved and respected this book is. There are over 170,000 ratings on Goodreads, with most users giving it either a 4 or 5-star rating.

The 1989 miniseries adaptation of Lonesome Dove starring Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones also received critical acclaim. It holds a staggering 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating near-universal praise for the adaptation. The miniseries won seven Emmy Awards and was nominated for thirteen more, becoming one of the most highly regarded and influential television events of the 1980s.

It is clear that Lonesome Dove has made a profound impact on both literary and television audiences across the world. Its high ratings speak to the quality of the story, the characters, and the themes that McMurtry so expertly weaves throughout the novel. It’s a must-read for any fan of the Western genre and a stunning achievement in the world of storytelling, both on the page and on the screen.

Book Notes

For readers who enjoy westerns, American history, or just a good story, Lonesome Dove is a must-read. The novel’s richly developed characters, sweeping plot, and evocative writing make it a true masterpiece of the genre.

Larry McMurtry’s storytelling abilities are showcased through his approach to character development; each character possesses unique traits that are instantly relatable and engaging. The novel’s memorable protagonists, Gus and Call, make an indelible impression on readers and are joined by a host of secondary characters that are equally as compelling.

McMurtry’s thrilling plot offers a mix of adventure, drama, and heart-wrenching tragedy. Set against the backdrop of the American West in the late 19th century, Lonesome Dove is a journey through unforgiving landscapes and the dangers of frontier life.

Lonesome Dove is a true masterpiece of the western genre, with its sweeping plot, deeply developed characters, and immersive writing. Fans of the genre will not want to miss this epic tale of the American West.