75 Comments
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Wes's avatar

I love this book and I also want to note that there is an outstanding TV adaptation starring Robert Duvall, Tommy Lee Jones, and Diane Lane

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Fran Hoepfner's avatar

dying to watch!!!!!!!

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Blythe Roberson's avatar

i'll watch w u frances

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Steve G's avatar

Yes, that mini-series was broadcast on "network TV--CBS, channel 2 in New York--over 4 nights in early 1989, and it was a show that was water cooler discussion at the office. Ok, I'm dating myself.

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Laura Hoepfner's avatar

I read this in paperback in the Fall of 1986 (back when Dad and I couldn't afford hardcovers or two copies, so he read it first). I had given up on the hardcover version of IT, and read this instead. I had just started a new job with mandatory breaks: 15 minutes in the morning and afternoon. So I sat on a chair in the parking lot, with everyone smoking around me, and read every break and every lunchtime. What an incredible book! What a tone deaf way to start a new job! I REGRET NOTHING. I am so excited to re-read it.

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Steve Hoepfner's avatar

I am excited re-read Lonesome Dove. Yes, it is one of my favorite books and was transformative (in all the good ways). Thanks for providing me the incentive. I recall it being a pretty long book, so I don't know if I can keep up the pace. My horse will be in the rear of the pack for sure.

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Fran Hoepfner's avatar

You were lapping me in Middlemarch I think you'll be FINE!!!!

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Abby's avatar

Every copy of this book is checked out from my local library. Is everyone participating in McMurtry May???

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Fran Hoepfner's avatar

Boo!!! This is like how I'm STILL on the waitlist for Austerlitz at BK public library for some reason...

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Claire's avatar

Blythe had me at "eating biscuits." So excited for my third Fran book club!!!!! Just like last year I'll be traveling during some of it which might put me behind the blog convo but rest assured I will be seated.

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Fran Hoepfner's avatar

Bring it on the plane!!!

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Blair's avatar

I found a bunch of beautiful old McMurtry paperbacks at my hometown used bookstore last summer but had not started any of them; I am SO READY!

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Fran Hoepfner's avatar

omg.......... I bet they smell perfect

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Dawson Oler's avatar

Funny enough I just finished Lonesome Dove in February while on parental leave (I also started before bloggers had the idea!) and it’s without a doubt one of the 5 best reading experiences of my life. I’ve since read its sequel, Streets of Laredo, which was harrowing. Probably won’t reread it for the book club, but instead I think I’ll indulge in the two prequels.

Can’t wait for everyone to experience Gus McCrae for the first time like I just did.

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Fran Hoepfner's avatar

Great use of those parental leave months (in addition to, of course, spending time w baby). Please still weigh in on comments if you like during the readthru!!! But yes, no pressure to reread. Did you wind up watching the miniseries?

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Dawson Oler's avatar

Yes and i have THOUGHTS on the miniseries. i hope after we've finished discussing the novel we can have a post or two about the miniseries for those of us who craved more after finishing the novel

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Fran Hoepfner's avatar

Yes, consider it done!!!

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Ben Empey's avatar

I've never read a McMurtry but I've seen some movies.

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Fran Hoepfner's avatar

This!

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Exa Moseley's avatar

yes!!!!

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Sam's avatar

Just commenting to say I finally got my library copy and somehow i missed that it is like 900 pages?? i love carrying around a book the size of a dictionary. CAN'T WAIT

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Stephen Kuhn's avatar

Very excited for this. It’s been on my list for too long

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Erin's avatar

His writing is so cinematic. Makes sense he would also be a great screenwriter. I’ve read Comanche Moon— looking forward to continuing on with the berry bender series!

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Jene L's avatar

Deeply thrilled to be reading this novel again. I read it in the late 80s on a crazy long and otherwise dreary subway commute and fell in love with McMurtry. Loved the miniseries too.

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Tori's avatar

wish I could read this again for the first time

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Alex Reeves's avatar

Cool, I actually started reading it about a week ago so good timing!

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Carmen's avatar

Joining, and excited :)

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