3.7
"Texasville" (1987) is a novel by Larry McMurtry, a sequel to his acclaimed work "The Last Picture Show" (1966). Set in the fictional town of Thalia, Texas, the story resumes 30 years after the events of the first book, delving into the lives of the characters as they navigate through the complexities of middle age. The novel's protagonist, Duane Moore, returns to Thalia after a long absence, only to find that the town and its inhabitants have changed dramatically. His once-close friend, Sonny Crawford, is now the town's mayor, dealing with the challenges of a community struggling to adapt to the modern world. Duane's high school sweetheart, Jacy Farrow, has also returned, after a successful career in Hollywood, bringing her own set of problems back to Thalia. McMurtry's narrative is a poignant exploration of the passage of time, the inevitability of change, and the struggle to maintain connections with the past. The characters' struggles with their personal histories and their attempts to reconcile their past selves with their present realities are portrayed with a keen insight and a deep understanding of the human condition. The author's vivid descriptions of the Texas landscape and his evocative portrayal of small-town life add depth and authenticity to the narrative. The dialogue is sharp and witty, capturing the unique rhythms and cadences of Texas speech. "Texasville" is a rich and complex novel that offers a profound exploration of the human experience. It is a must-read for fans of "The Last Picture Show" and a testament to McMurtry's skill as a storyteller. The novel's themes of change, loss, and the struggle for connection resonate deeply, making it a timeless piece of American literature...
Larry McMurtry
Lonesome Dove
Another classic by Larry McMurtry, Lonesome Dove is a sweeping epic that follows a group of cowboys on a long and dangerous cattle drive. While it is not directly related to Texasville, it showcases McMurtry's ability to create memorable characters and vividly evoke the landscapes and rhythms of life in the American West.
Learn MoreCharles Frazier
Cold Mountain
If you enjoyed the sense of place and the historical detail in Texasville, you might enjoy Cold Mountain, which is set in the aftermath of the Civil War. The novel follows a wounded Confederate soldier as he makes his way back to his home in the Appalachian Mountains, and it features richly drawn characters and a powerful sense of the land and its people.
Learn MoreJohn Steinbeck
The Grapes of Wrath
Like Texasville, The Grapes of Wrath is a novel that explores the lives of ordinary people in a time of upheaval and change. Set during the Great Depression, the novel follows a family of Oklahoma farmers as they travel to California in search of work and a better life. Steinbeck's powerful prose and unforgettable characters make this a classic of American literature.
Learn MoreCormac McCarthy
All the Pretty Horses
If you enjoyed the sense of adventure and the vivid depiction of the American West in Texasville, you might enjoy All the Pretty Horses, which follows a young cowboy as he travels to Mexico in search of adventure and a lost love. McCarthy's spare, poetic prose and unflinching depiction of the harsh realities of life on the range make this a classic of the Western genre.
Learn MorePhilipp Meyer
The Son
Like Texasville, The Son is a multi-generational saga that explores the history of the American West. The novel follows a Texas family from the time of the Comanche raids in the 1800s to the modern era, and it features a wide cast of characters and a sweeping narrative that will appeal to fans of Texasville.
Learn MoreWalker Percy
The Moviegoer
If you enjoyed the introspective, philosophical tone of Texasville, you might enjoy The Moviegoer, which follows a young man as he wanders through the streets of New Orleans in search of meaning and connection. Percy's novel is a meditation on the human condition and the search for meaning in a seemingly meaningless world.
Learn MoreBruno Schulz
The Street of Crocodiles
If you enjoyed the sense of place and the vivid, dreamlike quality of Texasville, you might enjoy The Street of Crocodiles, which is set in a surreal, dreamlike version of the author's hometown in Poland. The novel follows a young man as he explores the streets and alleys of the town, encountering strange and wonderful characters and events along the way.
Learn MoreJ.D. Salinger
The Catcher in the Rye
If you enjoyed the coming-of-age story and the introspective, first-person narration of Texasville, you might enjoy The Catcher in the Rye, which follows a young man as he navigates the challenges and confusions of adolescence. Salinger's novel is a classic of American literature, and it features a memorable protagonist and a powerful exploration of the human condition.
Learn MoreErnest Hemingway
The Old Man and the Sea
If you enjoyed the themes of perseverance and the struggle against nature in Texasville, you might enjoy The Old Man and the Sea, which follows an aging fisherman as he battles a giant marlin in the Gulf Stream. Hemingway's spare, powerful prose and unforgettable characters make this a classic of American literature.
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