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When Larry McMurtry's classic novel of the post-World War II era was originally published in 1961, it created a sensation in Texas literary circles. Never before had a writer portrayed the contemporary West in conflict with the Old West in such stark, realistic, unsentimental ways.
Horseman, Pass By, on which the film Hud is based, tells the story of Homer Bannon, an old-time cattleman who epitomizes the frontier values of honesty and decency, and Hud, his unscrupulous stepson. Caught in the middle is the narrator, Homer's young grandson, Lonnie, who is as much drawn to his grandfather's strength of character as he is to Hud's hedonism and materialism. Memorable characters, powerful themes, and illuminating detail make Horseman, Pass By vintage McMurtry.
The stunning first novel from the Pulitzer prize-winning author of Lonesome Dove. Young Lonnie idolizes Hud--a wild-acting man who'll do anything t o get what he wants, whether it hurts someone or not. There are only two people Hud won't bow to. And when he tries to conquer them, nothing will ever be the same.
Best Sellers Echoes of James Jones and Thomas Wolfe...notable and unique.
The New York Times Book Review Larry McMurtry is "a poet, a resonant scene-setter, and a master of voice."
The Houston Post What an imagination he has! When it comes to spinning a good yarn, few writers do it better than McMurtry.
Having worked on his father's Texas cattle ranch for a great deal of his early life, McMurtry had an inborn fascination with the West, both its fabled history and current state. However, he never saw himself as a life-long rancher and aspired to a more creative career. He achieved this at the age of 25 when he published his first novel. Horseman, Pass By was a wholly original take on the classic western. Humorous, heartbreaking, and utterly human, this story of a hedonistic cowboy in contemporary Texas was a huge hit for the young author and even spawned a major motion picture starring Paul Newman called Hud just two years after its 1961 publication. Extraordinarily, McMurtry was even allowed to write the script, a rare honor for such a novice.
With such an auspicious debut, it is hard to believe that McMurtry ever felt as though he'd been slighted by the public or marginalized as a minor talent. While all of his books may not have received equal attention, he did have a number of astounding successes early in his career. His third novel The Last Picture Show, a coming-of-age-in-the-southwest story, became a genuine classic, drawing comparisons to J. D. Salinger and James Jones. In 1971, Peter Bogdonovich's screen adaptation of the novel would score McMurtry his first Academy award for his screenplay. Three years later, he published Terms of Endearment, a critically lauded urban family drama that would become a hit movie starring Jack Nicholson and Shirley MacLaine in 1985.
That year, McMurtry published what many believe to be his definitive novel. An expansive epic sweeping through all the legends and characters that inhabited the old west, Lonesome Dove was a masterpiece. All of the elements that made McMurtry's writing so distinguished -- his skillful dialogue, richly drawn characters, and uncanny ability to establish a fully-realized setting -- convened in this Pulitzer winning story of two retired Texas rangers who venture from Texas to Montana. The novel was a tremendous critical and commercial favorite, and became a popular miniseries in 1989.
Following the massive success of Lonesome Dove, Larry McMurtry's prolificacy grew. He would publish at least one book nearly every year for the next twenty years, including Texasville, a gut-wrenching yet hilarious sequel to The Last Picture Show, Buffalo Girls, a fictionalized account of the later days of Calamity Jane, and several non-fiction titles, such as Crazy Horse.
Interestingly, McMurtry would receive his greatest notoriety in his late 60s as the co-screenwriter of Ang Lee's controversial film Brokeback Mountain. The movie would score the writer another Oscar and become one of the most critically heralded films of 2005. The following year he published his latest novel. Telegraph Days is a freewheeling comedic run-through of western folklore and surely one of McMurtry's most inventive stories and enjoyable reads. Not bad for a "minor regional novelist."
The first-printing of McMurtry's novel In a Narrow Grave is one of his most obscure for a rather obscure reason. The book was withdrawn because the word "skyscrapers" was misspelled as "skycrappers" on page 105.
McMurtry comes from a long line of farmers and ranchers. His father and eight of his uncles were all in the profession.
Anonymous
Posted May 7, 2004
While some might consider it 'slow and pointless', I would contend that they are simply unable to appreciate the book. McMurtry's story is a wonderful study in the conflicting worlds in contemporary Texas: the modern world, filled with its glitz, glammor, and wantoness (as characterized best by Hud), and traditional Texas, with its hard work, drudgery, and honor (as characterized by Granddad). Caught between the clash is the narrator Lonnnie, not an uncommon position for those of us growing up in Texas, unable to decide down which path we will lead our beloved land.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted August 12, 2012
I bought this book because I like the movie 'Hud' which wsa based on this. I thought the novel might be different but it hard to believe the two are the same. Lonnie narrates the book and carries the story but he comes off as a petulent, self-centered redneck. When a life changing event happens - like when Hud kills his grandfather - Lonnie just seems to shrug it off with no remorse because it didn't affect him directly after all he was still alive. the writng is sparse and epsodic and the supporting characters forgettable. This book was written in the 1960's and it hasn't dated well. Do yourself a favor and rent the movie 'Hud" and avoid this pointless exercise in nothingness.
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Posted December 19, 2011
You cannot read Larr McMurtry without reading this novel!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.TheAnonymousDude
Posted October 18, 2010
I have been avoiding Larry McMurtry for decades. I think it is because of the mini-series thing. Some of those require a little too much suspension of belief, relying mostly on charming actors to carry the ball. I recently read his Hollywood memoir, in which he not only disowns a lot of the mini-series, but proves to be a charming guy in his own right. So, I took a chance on Horseman, Pass By. Very dark. Not the best book I've ever read, but one of the best I think. If you are expecting light charming reading, probably not so much. But as a work of art, I highly recommend!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.JSCobb
Posted March 26, 2010
The twentieth century has brought many technological marvels, from automobiles and airplanes to computers and wireless communication. These advances have all served to bring the world closer, but not without a price. The once vast and unspoiled Western frontier has been compressed and in some cases, eliminated. The cowboy and his way of life, which is so dependent on the isolation afforded by those wide open spaces, is all but gone. Modern vehicles in the book Horseman, Pass By symbolize the disappearance of the cowboy culture and the emergence of an urban society where the horse once reigned supreme.
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Posted March 1, 2001
This was one pointless book. I felt like I wanted to call Larry McMurtry and ask him to send my money back personally. SLOW and POINTLESS. Save your time and money and skip this book
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Posted June 11, 2009
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Posted May 16, 2011
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Posted March 21, 2010
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Overview
When Larry McMurtry's classic novel of the post-World War II era was originally published in 1961, it created a sensation in Texas literary circles. Never before had a writer portrayed the contemporary West in conflict with the Old West in such stark, realistic, unsentimental ways.
Horseman, Pass By, on which the film Hud is based, tells the story of Homer Bannon, an old-time cattleman who epitomizes the frontier values of honesty and decency, and Hud, his unscrupulous stepson....