I had first noticed the book over ten years ago when I lived in Texas, where I saw it on the shelf of the local bookstore. This seemed to be some kind of sign from above. I was bummed when I heard about his recent death and happened to be in a local second hand store and saw a pristine copy of Moving On. I immediately went out and bought and absorbed the sequel, The Streets of Laredo. It had the broad scope and array of characters of my beloved doorstop 19th century novels, yet also managed to deconstruct myths of the west without becoming didactic and dour. Well pard, that book absolutely blew me away. A few years back a beloved student and prodigious reader gave me a copy of Lonesome Dove, which I kept on the shelf until the pandemic made me long for the open western skies and a book long enough to keep me occupied. I will consider myself guilty of that perception, despite having read the fantastic The Last Picture Show years ago. Because he was from Texas and wrote about Texas and set some of his books in the 19th century West he was a 'regional' and 'genre' writer. Some 20th century novelists were capable of this feat, and one of them was Larry McMurtry. I still remember when I finished Bleak House, I suddenly felt empty and bereft, deprived now of a whole world.

Usually one has to go back to the 19th century for books like this. There are few things I enjoy more than tackling a long, far-ranging novel with all kinds of characters, meandering subplots, and a scope that suggests an overview of society itself.

His backgrounds and scenic descriptions are inherent parts of his story, contributing as much to the novel as does the completely natural dialogue.The cover of my edition, found in a second hand store McMurtry is blessed with an absolutely solid sense of place. He is precise and lyrical, ironic and sad., Saturday Review A Texas-sized book.Mr.

His backgrounds and scenic descriptions are inherent parts of his story, contributing as much to the novel as does the completely natural dialogue., The Boston GlobeThere aren't many writers around who are as much fun to read as McMurtry.

He is precise and lyrical, ironic and sad., Los Angeles Times McMurtry can transform ordinary words into highly lyrical, poetic passages.He presents human drama with a sympathy and compassion that make us care about his characters in a way that most novelists can't., Los Angeles TimesMcMurtry can transform ordinary words into highly lyrical, poetic passages.He presents human drama with a sympathy and compassion that make us care about his characters in a way that most novelists can't., Saturday ReviewA Texas-sized book.Mr. The Boston Globe There aren't many writers around who are as much fun to read as McMurtry.

Moving on mcmurtry