ibeforem's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This is a book written in the 80s about the 1870s, so there is outdated language and period-accurate portrayals of attitudes about/treatment of Native Americans and un-married women/sex workers.
Moderate: Racism, Violence, Sexual assault, and Sexism
shirtypantser's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexism
Minor: Gore
krysley's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Now that that's out of the way: I loved this book so much.
Honestly, it was more than I ever expected it to be and brought out all the emotions, from anger and despair to heartbroken. These characters live in my head rent free and I'm glad to share the space with them. This book simply captivated me. Actually, it was more than that - I wanted to nerd out over this book, write a paper about the female characters and how McMurtry handled each one, and discuss every little nuance. It has been a long time since a book has effected me in such a way and I can't wait to read this again.
For a book written in 1985 about the 1870s, I was expecting heaps of misogyny, racism, and all the other hateful things that often spawn from those time periods combining. But . . . that wasn't what I got. Yes, there was misogyny and racism, but it was in the context of the time period (that didn't stop me from angrily crossing out the n-word in my personal copy every time I read it - some things I don't need to read over and over).
Moderate: Sexism, Animal death, Death, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Violence, Gun violence, Physical abuse, and Rape
deadeye's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Colonisation, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Vomit, War, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Pregnancy, Racism, Rape, Violence, Xenophobia, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Child death, Cursing, Death, Gore, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Sexual harassment, and Torture
Moderate: Pedophilia, Abortion, Hate crime, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Child abuse, Child death, Suicide attempt, Trafficking, Excrement, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Suicide, Terminal illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic friendship
katjoyphil's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Blood, Child death, Death, Gun violence, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
derschnauzbart's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Death, Child death, Murder, Racism, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Sexual violence, Sexism, Rape, Racial slurs, Gun violence, Grief, and Animal death
Minor: Slavery, Child abuse, Alcoholism, and Pregnancy
geoffreykeel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Racial slurs, Sexual assault, and Sexism
mynamerhymes's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
1. It is way too long.
2. Rampant racism and misogyny throughout - the treatment of women, minorities, and native Americans was very bad.
3. In all 37 hours of the audiobook there is only the faintest glimmer of a plot and so much unnecessary everything else. Why did no one edit out any of the tangents? What was the point?
But it won the Pulitzer and is your mother's favorite book, surely it must have redeeming qualities? And I did like the narrator and found the very beginning where they were just a few washed up Rangers hanging out in Lonesome Dove sort of funny. But if you think that a prize-winning door-stopper like this has anything to offer you, I recommend you list to Stars from Les Misérables while looking at pictures of the prairie - it will impart the same idea in significantly less time.
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Racism, Racial slurs, Sexism, and Sexual assault