In perhaps his finest "contemporary" novel since "Terms of Endearment," Larry McMurtry, with his miraculously sure touch at creating instantly reco...
read full description
reviews
Jul 04, 2008
Joy H.
rated it: 
This novel was very disappointing, especially since it was written by a writer who won the Pulitzer Prize before writing this book. The writing was almost sophomoric and the story was stultifying. I finished it only because I was wondering how it would end.
Even the ending was disappointing. It was as if the author couldn't think of a better ending and wound things up quickly to finish writing. Throughout the book, there was a lot of boring, uninspired dialogue between two female frie More...
Even the ending was disappointing. It was as if the author couldn't think of a better ending and wound things up quickly to finish writing. Throughout the book, there was a lot of boring, uninspired dialogue between two female frie More...
2 comments
like
(3 people liked it)
Jan 01, 2009
Paul
rated it: 
Another Larry McMurtry, and not set in Texas this time.
I'm a big fan of McMurtry, and found this to be a good read. How does he think of these characters? There is a tinge of "Thelma and Louise" here, but the characters, the situations, and the plot are in no way similar. Maggie, the protagonist is a Native Hollywoodian Auntie Mame character, and won my sympathy immediately. I loved the read, actually, loved rooting for Maggie.
McMurtry is having fun with this More...
I'm a big fan of McMurtry, and found this to be a good read. How does he think of these characters? There is a tinge of "Thelma and Louise" here, but the characters, the situations, and the plot are in no way similar. Maggie, the protagonist is a Native Hollywoodian Auntie Mame character, and won my sympathy immediately. I loved the read, actually, loved rooting for Maggie.
McMurtry is having fun with this More...
Jan 21, 2012
Sorcia
rated it:
Do you enjoy being hit repeatedly in the face with a bed pan?!
Then you'll LOVE this crap!
It's official, kids: Larry McMurtry done lost his mind. Or perhaps has had a lobotomy. Because I'm sure as death and taxes that this is NOT the same guy who wrote the uncompromising, compelling and heart-wrenching Lonesome Dove series (in point of fact, the only Westerns I've ever whole-heartedly loved). Actually, I think the explanation might be that he lost a drunken bet with his agent More...
Then you'll LOVE this crap!
It's official, kids: Larry McMurtry done lost his mind. Or perhaps has had a lobotomy. Because I'm sure as death and taxes that this is NOT the same guy who wrote the uncompromising, compelling and heart-wrenching Lonesome Dove series (in point of fact, the only Westerns I've ever whole-heartedly loved). Actually, I think the explanation might be that he lost a drunken bet with his agent More...
Oct 21, 2011
Kendra
rated it:
I can almost say that I hated this book. Why did I finish it then? Maybe because I kept thinking that it couldn’t be THAT bad, that it would get better. I kept thinking I was missing something…that how could such a celebrated author write complete nonsense…
Basically, the book, written by the same author who wrote Lonesome Dove and Terms of Endearment (really??? I didn’t even know the same person wrote such two very different stories), is centered on Maggie, a 60+ year old woman w More...
Basically, the book, written by the same author who wrote Lonesome Dove and Terms of Endearment (really??? I didn’t even know the same person wrote such two very different stories), is centered on Maggie, a 60+ year old woman w More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Dec 22, 2009
Philip
rated it:
Larry McMurtry has said in several recent memoirs that some writers go on producing novels long after they've run out of steam. He has also said that he feels like he was one person before his heart bypass surgery in the 1990s, and another after. His books since the mid-1990s have certainly borne out both theories. In LOOP GROUP it's a woman who has that feeling of being/having been two people, that she was one person before her hysterectomy and another person afterward. I was a huge McMurtr
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Feb 05, 2009
Oddball characters aren't necessarily a death knell to a novel, particularly when they come from McMurtry's pen. In Loop Group, his sheer wealth of personalities, which encompasses everyone from sons-in-law to a local trooper who walks into the story only for a line or two, continues to entertain. But critics weren't moved by what they saw as unrealistic dialogue, hackneyed characters, and a tired and predictable plot riddled with inaccuracies that don't reflect modern Hollywood. In the end, rea
More...
Jan 01, 2011
Melissa
rated it:
I couldn't finish it. First book in ages. Got to page 79, read the words "Why was life so hard?" and gave up. Seems like I'm not the only one: In the copy borrowed from the library, someone had written "Irony or idiocy, is Larry silly or senile?" after McMurty's banal words. I usually oppose the defacing of a book (after all, one's opinion isn't always wanted and is never universal), but this particular sentiment gave me the permission to give up. Too bad the first book
2 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Aug 29, 2009
Leslie
rated it: 
Fine, but nothing exciting. Didn't really feel a connection to any of the characters, and one or two of them were just plain annoying. It was one of those books that I just didn't really see much of a point to once I got to the end of it. It kind of turned me off that every single character was rampantly unfaithful in their marriages - I'm not so naive that I think that sort of thing doesn't happen, but still, every single character, at least all the married ones.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Oct 02, 2010
Cmbrooks
rated it: 
Characters cardboard but colourful and lively nonetheless. The story keeps moving; set in Los Angeles, much of the action takes place in a van; includes the story of a drive to a chicken farm in Arizona. The loop group of the title is a group of actors who dub sound effects for not-very-good movies. Two middle-aged heroines who have few sexual hangups but prefer each other's company when it comes down to it. Not deep but it passed the time.
Jan 07, 2011
Jodi
rated it:
This book was a very surprising flop from a Pulitzer Prize winning author. I guess they can't all be great! The characters (a cast of selfish adultresses) were very flat, unrelatable, and mostly just annoying. The entire story was aimless. Why is the book even called Loop Group when that seemed to be what the book was least about? I do not recommend this book. I don't even know why I finished it.
Sep 16, 2009
Mary Lu
rated it:
Maggie Clary is in a state of despair after her hysterectomy, because as she says, "I miss my womb." Maggie's three grown daughters worry constantly about her, despite the fact that they can barely control their own lives. Maggie decides to closed down her loop group (a bunch of people who dub sound effects into B movies) and take a trip to Texas to visit her long lost Aunt Cooney. Her best friend Connie (who has problems of her own), goes along for the ride.
May 05, 2011
Diane
rated it:
I bought this at a borders closing sale. It was only 50 cents. If it had cost one penny more I would be furious right now. I loved Lonesome Dove so I figured anything by McMurtry would be, at the very least, decent. Well, I was wrong. Larry, don't try writing in the voice of a 60-something woman EVER AGAIN.
Dec 24, 2009
Rene
rated it:
The cover of this book had me thinking that it was going to involve a younger age group but the two main characters I'm guessing are in the 50-60 age range. Reading about middle-aged women having sex, doing drugs and racking up credit card debt really doesn't click with me. Maybe I should read this book again in 30 years and see if I have the same feeling?
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Dec 16, 2009
Cynthia
rated it:
This is kind of a stupid book. (How profound was that?!) Good enough for the beach but nothing to rave about. Actually, I'm finding it sort of confusing in a very non-important kind of way. I'm about halfway through, and basically so far the most interesting thing about it is that the main character is supposed to be 60 years old and somewhat accomplished in her field, yet her three daughters are all around 40. So when did she have the kids, when she was in high school or in college? Plus,
More...
May 11, 2009
I'm listening to this unabridged book in the car. Course, since I only drive 1.5 miles to work, it'll take me a while to get through this. So far, I'm not impressed. So far it's the weakest Larry McMurtry I've ever read and I've read a lot o' Larry McMurtry.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Oct 29, 2011
Susan
rated it:
Loop Group was okay, but not what I expected. I suppose I was thinking it would be more like The Hot Flash Club or something along those lines. Or maybe a Thelma and Louise kind of thing. It was neither. McMurtry's not a bad writer, but this one just left me wanting SO much more.
Nov 30, 2011
Judith
rated it:
The description on the book flap makes the book sound much more exciting than it actually is. I kept waiting for something interesting to happen. Two quirky old ladies living in Los Angeles and a group of potentially interesting characters -- land it goes nowhere.
Kind of disappointed in McMurtry.
Kind of disappointed in McMurtry.
Feb 24, 2009
Sara
rated it:
I felt the need to finish the book once I started it but it was bad. Like a automobile accident that you can't NOT watch. The characters were unbelievable, very flat.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Aug 24, 2009
Maureen
rated it:
I always love Larry McMurtry, even when he's just phoning it in. I loved the characters in this book...he has such an understanding about female friendships.
Jun 20, 2009
Cathie
rated it:
Great read, excellent author. I'm not sure there was really a point, or anything to learn from this, but it was such a joy to read...who cares?
Feb 10, 2011
HBalikov
rated it:
All of the McMurtry packaging except the essential core. Can't recommend to any except the most dedicated fans.
Jan 05, 2010
Midge
rated it:
A crazy, wild ride with Maggie and Connie -- two life-long friends living and loving in LA!
A fun story...
A fun story...
Feb 25, 2009
Jennifer
rated it:
don't know if I can stand the reader/narrator. The story isn't strong enough to keep me from abandoning due to the readers style. It's like she's reading to children.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Dec 10, 2009
Carolyn
rated it:
i hated this book. not really sure why i even finished it. i found if offensive.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Feb 10, 2009
Grownups, beware any book where the dustcover says the story is 'zany'.
Yuck.
Yuck.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Mar 13, 2008
Julie
rated it:
I saw this one at Half Price and realized that despite my deep and abiding love for Larry McMurtry, I hadn't read anything by him in a long time. Much too long. I was not disappointed in this book although it was nowhere near as good as some of his others. Still hilarious; mentions lots of chickens, and the romances were just so funny.
I also realized that I think I have read just about everything the man has ever written EXCEPT for any of the Lonesome Dove books, which is just p More...
I also realized that I think I have read just about everything the man has ever written EXCEPT for any of the Lonesome Dove books, which is just p More...
May 31, 2009
Rosie
rated it:
ok
not one of McMurtry's best
far from it
not one of McMurtry's best
far from it
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Sep 27, 2010
Jacqueline
rated it:
Not what I expected from Larry McMurtry at all. The writing and wit was very enjoyable, but I did not bond with either of the characters at all. At the end I just felt "blah" about it.
