Despite Gus’s ignorance of the translation of “Uva uvam vivendo varia fit,” it loosely means “a grape changes color (ripens) when it sees another grape.” A quick search of the phrase yields plenty of results relating to Lonesome Dove. Gus transcribed a Latin motto at the bottom of the Hat Creek Cattle Company’s sign, which was amusing since he didn’t know the meaning. Both men seemed stuck in the wrong era with time passing them by and civilization changing in ways that left them uncomfortable. Gus thought that Call was more like the Native Americans than he cared to admit, while Call thought Gus was more sympathetic to the tribes than he expected given their history of battles. When Call and Gus considered heading north to Montana, Gus comments that civilization will be right behind them if they help settle the land. The story that unfolds is page-turning from start to finish with characters like Josh Deets, Pea Eye Parker, Newt Dobbs, Lorena Wood, and others.Ī literature class could easily review this book for an extended time, and here are some of the observations I would welcome the chance to discuss: The idea takes hold with Captain Call, and soon the adventure begins. When former Ranger, Jake Spoon, returns after ten years away, he floats an idea: move the crew to Montana as the first cattlemen in the region. Both men worked together as Texas Rangers, north of the Mexican border before retiring to run the Hat Creek Cattle Company. I couldn’t have enjoyed Lonesome Dove any more than I did, and the experience is likely to cause me to mix in a few more fictional books to my reading schedule.įor a quick summary, the book centers on Captain Augustus “Gus” McCrae and Captain Woodrow F.

The end result is over 800 pages that still felt far too short. In McMurtry’s magnum opus, the detail and character development not only made me care about the Hat Creek Cattle Company, but McMurtry also weaved in some of the philosophies and world views I most enjoy contemplating.

I enjoy learning what guides how they respond to meaningful moments-particularly their response to challenges. Part of the reason I deeply enjoy biographies is gaining insight into the ideas and philosophies that shape individuals. I’m pleased I didn’t wait any longer because the book proved itself immensely worthy of the 1986 Pulitzer. It’s his favorite book, so when author Larry McMurtry died earlier this year, the event bumped his most famous piece to the top of my list. Lonesome Dove has been on my list for years at the strong recommendation of my father-in-law. Despite it being my genre of choice when I was young, it now takes intentionality to rotate non-biographies into my reading list.

I have mentioned before how rarely I read fiction.

Order of lonesome dove books