<p>OK, I’m starting “Lonesome Dove” today. I finished “TransAtlantic” yesterday – that was for my Books on the Beach group that met Thursday afternoon. I was at about 50% for that meeting, but at least I could participate in the discussion. Hope to meet you all on August 1, but I may be a day or 2 late … (Book on the Beach only meets during July & August, but it’s every 2 weeks, which is a little intense. I may be too old for all this pressure …)</p>
<p>Finished …</p>
<p>For anyone (waving at the Jersey - Theater and Chess - Moms) - finished with Lonesome Dove.</p>
<p>Beware of spoilers:</p>
<p><a href=“True West – Texas Monthly”>http://www.texasmonthly.com/story/true-west</a></p>
<p>Good article on both the book and movie from a 25-year perspective.</p>
<p>Wow, what a superb article, ignatius. I had no idea that Lonesome Dove was so fiercely beloved in Texas.</p>
<p>Here is one gem from the article:</p>
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<p>Those who have finished the novel, feel free to PM me with “homemade” discussion questions on aspects you’d like to talk about. We’ve got a lot of ground to cover (ha ha, Lonesome Dove pun) and I wasn’t particularly impressed with the short list of questions I found online. </p>
<p>Have fun, CBBBlinker! Keep in mind what ignatius wrote in post #26 re the (intentional) slow start. Here’s a related comment from a poster on Goodreads:</p>
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<p>I’m on page 897 (out of 945). I don’t want it (the book, its story) to end :(</p>
<p>And now, I too have finished it! </p>
<p>Not me (darn job!), but I will by the 1st! Can’t wait to talk about it!</p>
<p>Page 208, I need to get cracking. Clearly reading between 11:30 and midnight isn’t going to be enough!</p>
<p>Waving back to Ignatius, down there in Texas-- thanks for the Texas monthly link - super … I’m so glad I read this knowing NOTHING … What a journey ! Epic </p>
<p>Wow this book really gallops along! </p>
<p>So, so, good - it’s been so long since I read it the first time!</p>
<p>Reading, reading, reading …</p>
<p>Me too! I’m way behind - however I have about four hours in the car tomorrow, so I’ll probably just join the conversation late. Will have very spotty internet this weekend, but hope to check in.</p>
<p>I am power reading today. I don’t think I’ll make it for tomorrow, but hopefully by the end of the weekend!</p>
<p>Tomorrow’s discussion questions will have spoilers, so don’t read them if you haven’t finished the book!</p>
<p>Thanks for that, Mary. I should be joining by the weekend too. </p>
<p>Still reading, but I’m halfway!!! See you soon! </p>
<p>Believe it or not, it’s August! Welcome to our discussion of Lonesome Dove. Of the many comments about the book on Goodreads, one of my favorites is this:</p>
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<p>This was my second time around with Lonesome Dove and I thought, knowing the story, that I would have more detachment from the characters. But I got pulled right back in. I had to set down the book for a breather every time I neared some beloved character’s impending demise.</p>
<p>I’m breaking the discussion questions into two posts. The questions contain spoilers, so if you haven’t finished the book, **shoo<img src=“waves%20arms” alt=“/b”> and come back when you’re done.</p>
<p>Discussion Questions:</p>
<p>These first four questions are from: <a href=“Book Club: Lonesome Dove”>http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/11/06/918292/-Book-Club-Lonesome-Dove</a>)</p>
<p>1) Though there are other characters in the Hat Creek Cattle Company, it’s the byplay between Gus and Call that sets the tone. Gus is by far the more playful of the two, but it’s stiff-necked Woodrow who bites into the idea of taking this terrific gamble to put everything into a cross-country journey. Why do you think Call (a man otherwise so fixed in his views) seizes on this romantic idea, and why does Gus (who never hesitates to peck at Call’s notions) so readily agree?</p>
<p>2) Just as the two main characters have very different personalities, the two women at the heart of the story also are studies in opposites. Clara Allen declined a proposal from Gus and moved to Nebraska years, if not decades, before the story opens. She’s tough, pragmatic, and practical. Lorena “Lorie” Wood is a lovely and kind-hearted woman who finds herself forced into prostitution by a cruel lover who then abandons her. Both women have powerful relationships to Gus, and Clara seems to have an instant understanding and fondness for Lorie. What similarities do you see in these two women?</p>
<p>3) Though Gus and Call are at the center of things, the Hat Creek Cattle Company is home to a number of interesting characters. There’s “Pea Eye” Parker, who may not come across as the sharpest knife in the drawer but demonstrates both amazing persistence and loyalty. Former slave Josh Deets works for two men who have their share of prejudice, but is deeply respected, especially by Call. Young Newt Dobbs has been raised by these men, and it’s very likely that Call is his father, but though Call sets great store in loyalty and responsibility, he never steps up to claim Newt. There’s the shiftless Jake Spoon, whose reappearance in Lonesome Dove is the spark that starts the cattle drive. “Dish” Boggett, whose skills as a cowboy never get him the attention he wants from Lori. Which of these characters draws your attention, and why?</p>
<p>4) A second plotline is woven through the book, one that only intersects the first as it draws toward a tragic conclusion. What is your feeling toward Sheriff July Johnson and his hapless attempt to retrieve his wayward wife, Elmira?</p>