sonofatreus's review against another edition
5.0
I miss it already.
It's a western, but it also plays against some standard western tropes. It takes its time, but doesn't waste it in doing so. Gus and Call are a supreme duo, but they aren't nearly the only characters McMurtry was interested in. There are various revelations throughout the novel and all of them are teed up neatly beforehand, not in a big surprise/twist way, but in realistic and organic way. Somebody notices something but doesn't say or do anything about it at first, only to have it come back up later (sometimes much later). It has a sense of humor that I was fully into but it doesn't go overboard with the jokes (and is by no means a comedy). It's not the best book I've ever read, but it read like a breeze and I could have stayed for 900 more pages.
It's a western, but it also plays against some standard western tropes. It takes its time, but doesn't waste it in doing so. Gus and Call are a supreme duo, but they aren't nearly the only characters McMurtry was interested in. There are various revelations throughout the novel and all of them are teed up neatly beforehand, not in a big surprise/twist way, but in realistic and organic way. Somebody notices something but doesn't say or do anything about it at first, only to have it come back up later (sometimes much later). It has a sense of humor that I was fully into but it doesn't go overboard with the jokes (and is by no means a comedy). It's not the best book I've ever read, but it read like a breeze and I could have stayed for 900 more pages.
kstring's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars. One of the most character driven stories I've ever read. Despite the 37 hours of audio, I was engaged for the entire duration.
On the surface, this book appears to be about a cattle drive from Texas to Montana, but it's about finding joy in the journey, love won and lost, honor, and friendship. There are a lot of lessons to be taken from this book and I think everybody should read it.
On the surface, this book appears to be about a cattle drive from Texas to Montana, but it's about finding joy in the journey, love won and lost, honor, and friendship. There are a lot of lessons to be taken from this book and I think everybody should read it.
litatalisman's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
wibblethefisch's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
gideon_belmont's review against another edition
I've read fifty pages and there was nothing here to get me interested. The characters aren't cool or interesting, nothing is happening around them, and the setting isn't intriguing either.
salguod117's review against another edition
5.0
An absolute gem.
The characters are incredible.
The writing is fantastic.
The story is one of the all time greats.
I laughed out loud, I wept, I was on pins and needles... truly a masterpiece.
The characters are incredible.
The writing is fantastic.
The story is one of the all time greats.
I laughed out loud, I wept, I was on pins and needles... truly a masterpiece.
boenguen's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
meganlafo's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
sethbodine's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
skinlaced's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
4.0
This book made me cry which is hard to do. You become attached to the characters. This is the first western I’ve read and I really enjoyed it, which is surprising to those that know me.