Larry McMurtry (1936–2021)

I originally purchased this book in paperback a few years after it was published, but never got around to reading it until I acquired a hardcover edition while assembling my Larry McMurtry collection. I really enjoyed the story about the relationship between these men in the Cherokee nation in the years after the Civil War. Though the book is not one of the higher rated titles in McMurtry's works, I found the story interesting and the relationships between the characters to be well-developed. It's not often we see a book on this era written from the perspective of the Native American people who were subjected to the white man's authority. Recommended, especially for McMurtry fans.… (meer)

I read this book out of curiosity about how it would compare to the movie, diected by Peter Bogdonovich. Apparently, his wife, Polly Platt read the book and recommemded he bring it to film.
Thalia Texas, the setting, is a lonely, dreary town, filled with lonely, disenchanted people. The only way the townspeople can fill the lonely void in their lives is through sex. That's it on a nutshell.
Some characters are cartoonish, for example, Jacy. She pursues men and sex to enhance her wild reputation. Why? Is sje bored? Is she in competition with her mother? The book could have been better if some of these (and other) character motivations were explored.
In this case, the movie was better than the book.… (meer)