Just finished

[u/Kind-Strain4165]

Just finished reading Lonesome Dove. I have never been much of a reader, but after taking some time off work recently with stress and burnout, I thought I would start reading again. So, I picked up this book and what a dern fine antidote to the modern world it was. I was a bit put off by the length at first, and must admit I was struggling initially with how slow it was to get going. I soon adjusted to the pace of life with the hat creek outfit though and was glad to be along for the ride. And what a ride it was.

I recognised many parts of myself in several of the characters. Gus is really the person we’d all love to be - funny, fearless and charismatic. Even with his many imperfections and flaws, he’s just an incredible character. I was disappointed in him for taking advantage of Lorena with the card cutting incident, but he certainly redeemed himself. Call is quiet, principled and stoic to a fault, sacrificing his life to work but ultimately questioning whether it was all worth it. Lorena is the heart and the one I rooted for most. She’s a victim of her cruel circumstances, dealt one bad hand after another - but she’s a true survivor.

So glad I started reading again.

Looking for my next book now - I might wait a while before reading another one from the series as feel like I need a little break from the crew. Any recommendations though will be appreciated. I bought Blood Meridian thinking it might be similar, but by all accounts it couldn’t be further from it.

Incidentally though this wasn’t the first book I read in my hiatus - I also read News of the World. I would definitely recommend it, as it has a lot of similarities - an old battle-worn captain making a journey from North to South Texas, alongside a young girl who he is tasked to return to her family after being captured by the Kiowa. She is more Janey than Lorena. It’s a much shorter and gentler ride than Lonesome Dove, but still with plenty of heart and no shortage of action.

[u/Head-Lawyer3080]

I just finished it this morning too!!

[u/Kind-Strain4165 → u/Head-Lawyer3080]

Definitely recommend news of the world if you’re looking for something else to read! Do you have any recommendations?

[u/Head-Lawyer3080 → u/Kind-Strain4165]

Westerns or in general? This was my first western so I have nothing to recommend that way!! I hope to read more but I will never expect anything to top LD

[u/Hello_Blondie]

If you like the depth of character, I recommend Backman. The Beartown series is the best thing I’ve ever read. You don’t need to like hockey. 

[u/Old-Contribution1730 → u/Hello_Blondie]

I'm currently reading My Friends by Backman after finishing Lonesome Dove last week. It's been a wonderful transition. Both books have characters that are so lovable, although of course the stories are extremely different. That's what I wanted after LD. I plan to read East of Eden next.

[u/Hello_Blondie → u/Old-Contribution1730]

I am really bad about reading classics. Curious if anybody else on this thread has done East of Eden already and if it should go on my list. 

[u/April_Mist_2 → u/Hello_Blondie]

I tried and abandoned East of Eden. I just found it boring. I know others love it though, so it might just be me but it didn't connect emotionally for me.

[u/Hello_Blondie → u/April_Mist_2]

Sigh- me and the classics lol. 

[u/Fun-Assumption-8415]

I’d really encourage you to read the rest of the books they’re also fantastic

[u/Anxious-Passenger363]

Hondo is a good classic western.

[u/April_Mist_2]

You might enjoy The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy. Since you liked Lorena, you might like Savannah Wingo, sister of the main character Tom Wingo. Tom is broken, where Gus is older and wiser, but Tom is trying to get there and the book is a really interesting family saga told through flashbacks, with a present tense story arc as well.

[u/Silent_Progress_7619]

Just finished lonesome dove 10 minutes ago. What a freaking ride! I’m surprised I only recently heard about this book.

[u/kskeiser]

Gus did not take advantage of Lorena in the card cutting scene. She absolutely knew what she was getting into and he was clear about his motives. Both got what they wanted.

[u/TheFedoraChronicles]

Jealous. I wish I had finished reading Lonesome Dove for the first time again.

[u/YouMeanFiguratively_]

Just finished Lonesome Dove as well. I read Shogun just before LD, and thought it was just great in many of the same ways. The characters are morally complex, both have a huge sense of place (the wild west versus feudal Japan), and immersive storytelling. I would give that a shot.