Lonesome Dove is a western novel written in 1985 by Larry McMurtry.    It won the Pulitzer Prize in 1986 and has been well-received by reviewers.    It was adapted as a mini-series in 1989 and subsequently won 7 Emmy Awards.

The book is about a small group of retired Texas Rangers living on a ranch in Lonesome Dove, Texas, a small frontier town close to the Mexican border in the late 1870s.   Friends, drifters, and colleagues come and go,  and on one such time, the idea of being the first cowboys to drive cattle into Montana is raised.    They steal some cattle and horses from Mexico, recruit some hands, and leave on the long 3000 miles ride north.

“The best way to handle life is to ride it like you stole it.” (Gus)

Along the way, there are a number of adventures and mishaps – dust storms, difficult river crossings, raids, skirmishes, an abduction, and battles with First Nations.    There are strong friendships and there is love, betrayal, loyalty, bravery, redemption, and sorrow.    Above all are memorable characters, painted in detail by the author.    Gus, Call, Newt, Jake, Lorena, July, and others seem larger than life, and as readers, we count ourselves lucky to have known them.    The story is powerful, grand, memorable, and deeply rewarding.     Very highly recommended – 4.8 out of 5.0 stars4.8

An audiobook excerpt is provided here:

Notes:

• There are 4 books in the series.    Lonesome Dove is followed by Streets of Laredo, Dead Man’s Walk, and Comanche Moon.
• Other well-known novels include The Last Picture Show, Terms of Endearment, Texasville, and others