Lonesome Dove - August CC Book Club Selection

Parent Cafe
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<p>It’s time for a western—a first for the CC Book Club!</p>

<p>Our August selection is Larry McMurtry’s 1986 Pulitzer Prize winning novel Lonesome Dove, the story of cowboys herding cattle on an epic trail drive from Texas to Montana in the 1870s. </p>

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<p>CAUTION: if you are new to Lonesome Dove, do not read the book’s preface by author Larry McMurtry. He gives away major plot points and reveals the fate of certain characters. (The preface in my edition was written in 2010, so earlier versions should be spoiler free—I hope.)</p>

<p>Discussion begins August 1st. Please join us!</p>

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<p>Oooh… you guys are going to LIKE this! (I don’t read westerns. This I did, and loved it.) Enjoy!</p>

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<p>And another Pulitzer prize winner to add to my very short list!</p>

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<p>Yay, great selection. This one will be fun.</p>

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<p>Count me in.</p>

<p>I’m reposting the above warning just because it’s important - and it doesn’t hurt to take notice more than once:

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<p>One of my all time favorite books! Coincidentally, just a couple of days ago I told my DH he should read Lonesome Dove because it was such a wonderful book. He has seen the film multiple times, but I still think the book is worthwhile.</p>

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<p>I honestly tried to slow down and time finishing closer to August 1, but I’m done.</p>

<p>If you’re thinking about reading the book, do. It looks lengthy but, in truth, the pages turn themselves.</p>

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<p>^^^^^Yep.</p>

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<p>Saw the miniseries years ago and was motivated to read the 1000 page novel. Fastest read of 1000 pages ever.<br>
A similar movie, I thought was Duval and Costner in Open Range–anyone know if that was based on a book?</p>

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<p>I just ordered the book and I can’t wait to start reading it. Thank you, Mary13. I only lurk on the book group link but I have really enjoyed your selections and all of the rich commentary!</p>

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<p>MADad, Open Range is based on the novel by Lauran Paine. I have the book (because I enjoyed the movie), but I haven’t read it yet. It’s only 242 pages. Apparently, Paine (who died in 2001) was a Louis L’Amour type, with an output of hundreds of westerns. Here’s a funny article about him from 1985: <a href=“http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20090678,00.html”>http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20090678,00.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>peacefulmom, I’m glad you’ll be joining us for Lonesome Dove!</p>

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<p>I read Lonesome Dove when I was pregnant with my first child. It remains one of my absolute favorite books (the mini-series with Robert Duval and Tommy Lee Jones was great, too) and I envy anyone reading it for the first time. Great choice!</p>

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<p>thanks mary13–wow, guy wrote 1000+ books!!!</p>

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<p>You will LOVE this book! Great choice!</p>

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<p>For those in search of an engrossing summer read, it’s not too late to pick up Lonesome Dove and join us for discussion on August 1st. Fastest 800 pages you’ll ever read. Anyone new to the book should heed the red warning in post #4. (Yay! Post numbers are back!)</p>

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<p>Interview with Lonesome Dove author Larry McMurtry in the 7/10/14 New York Times Sunday Book Review.</p>

<p><a href=“Larry McMurtry: By the Book - The New York Times”>http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/13/books/review/larry-mcmurtry-by-the-book.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Thanks, NJTM! Given our discussion last month about books that had the most influence on us, I liked this line best:</p>

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<p>Ok, count me in. I’ve never read a western or been attracted to the genre, but I respect the taste of the club members, and this book has also come up on the “best books” thread. I’m intrigued. Downloading now!</p>

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<p>^ That’s great! Enjoy!</p>

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<p>Thanks NJTM! That was interesting. I had a big LOL at the idea of him reading, or trying to read Fifty Shades of Grey. </p>