Lonesome Dove
Larry McMurtry
First published 1985
When the TV mini-series was originally aired it was compulsive viewing on both sides of the Atlantic and has spawned several sequels. But the original source novel has yet to be bettered.
The author originally wrote the story as a movie script in the early 1960's and for a while it was in pre-production with John Wayne, James Stewert and Henry Fonda due to star. But the Duke turned down the role on John Ford's advice and James Stewert backed out as a result. The script was then shelved.
Wayne had been due to played Woodrow while James Stewert was to play Gus and Henry Fonda was to play the unfortunate Jakes. One can only wonder what that movie would have been like but then the miniseries that eventually came out was so good it is difficuly to imagine the movie would have been better.
Years later Larry McMurtry re-visited the script and turned it into a massively successful novel that won a Pulitzer prize. What's excellent about the novel is all the detail of a cowboy's life in the old west and, of course, the author creates wonderful character moments that bring the book to life. Lonesome Dove, both novel and mini-series, is all about brilliantly drawn characters.
Incidentally the characters of Gus and Woodrow seem to be h
heavily modelled on real cattleman Charles Goodnight and Henry Loving. In fact after Loving's death Goodnight brought him home to be buried in Texas just as Woodrow does for Gus in the novel.(Pictured - in another reality this could have been James Stewert.
6 comments:
I didn't realize this was originally a movie script. Interesting how it evolved.
Also, have you read Larry McMurty's original novel The Last Picture Show? I love his script for the movie, but was curious what the novel was like.
I have this book on my shelves and have intended for several years to get to it. I've put it off just because it's so long. But with your recommendation I may have to venture within.
Hi Gary,
You're right, not only is this a fantastic Western, it's a great novel--the characters are top shelf. I highly recommend this book. It's even better than the flick, and that's saying something!
Cheers,
Matt
Cullen - not yet read The Last Picture Show.
Arkansas Slim - Go on you'll love it.
Matt - It's teh character moments that makes it so special and readable.
Another book to be added to my list. Thanks.
Out of all the westerns I've read, in the pulps, paperbacks, hardcover, I would have to say that Lonesome Dove is in the running for best western novel. I highly recommend the TV mini series also.
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