My rating:
add to my books
Loading...
Dead Man's Walk (Lonesome Dove #3)
The "prequel" to "Comanche Moon, " depicting the adventures of Woodrow McCall and Gus McCrae as young men adrift in the Old West.
Mass Market Paperback, 528 pages
Published
June 1st 1996
by Pocket
(first published 1995)
There is a good chance some of your friends read this book. Sign in to see!
sign in »
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
This book is currently not featured on any Listopia lists.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
3,107)
Wow. What a stinkeroo this turned out to be. In fact, it sadly confirms the suspicions I had of McMurtry while reading Lonesome Dove which is to say he has incredible skill in drawing you into a rich, realistic, dusty Old West atmosphere but lacks the ability to create a well-structured story. Also, contrary to popular opinion, I feel McMurtry -- at least in his Western novels -- paints some pretty one-dimensional characters.
This book triples the meandering of Lonesome Dove, which...more
This book triples the meandering of Lonesome Dove, which...more
view all 8 comments
I am a big fan of Larry McMurtry. His novels have gone on to create two of the greatest films in history (Last Picture Show, Terms of Endearment). Lonesome Dove is arguably the greatest mini-series of all-time. And for someone like myself who is not a fan of Westerns, the novel Lonesome Dove is a true gem - a pulitzer prize winning marvel.
So, what is Dead Man's Walk? After Lonesome Dove and a sequel (Streets of Laredo), McMurtry went back to his typewriter and filled us in on the a...more
So, what is Dead Man's Walk? After Lonesome Dove and a sequel (Streets of Laredo), McMurtry went back to his typewriter and filled us in on the a...more
While it was great to read about Gus and Call again - two of literature's more vivid characters - there seemed to be little point to DEAD MAN'S WALK other than "here's some more Gus & Call." While LONESOME DOVE contains not only great characters and stirring developments, but also meditates on themes of change, age and regret, here McMurtry seems content to just revisit his two leads and kick them around the old west for a few hundred pages.
Most disappointingly, in this no...more
Most disappointingly, in this no...more
'Matilda Jane Roberts was naked as the air. Known throughout south Texas as the Great Western, she came walking up from the muddy Rio Grande holding a big snapping turtle by the tail.'
What great imagery to start off a novel with! After being less than thrilled with The Sisters Brothers, I was hungry for a more classic (in style and content, not age) western. Lonesome Dove has been on my TBR list for a while, so I decided to start off with the chronological first book in the series.
...more
What great imagery to start off a novel with! After being less than thrilled with The Sisters Brothers, I was hungry for a more classic (in style and content, not age) western. Lonesome Dove has been on my TBR list for a while, so I decided to start off with the chronological first book in the series.
...more
This is the first part of the Lonesome Dove trilogy, and for some reason I never read it, even though I finished the second and third books years ago. It was a pleasure to pick up this book and read about Gus McCrae and Woodrow Call again. They're just young pups in this book, barely old enough to shave (well, maybe they've been shaving for a few years), but their personalities are developed just as strongly as in the later books. McMurtry does a great job of describing the plains of Texas, and ...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Keli Wright
rated it
·
review of another edition
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
cowboys
Recommended to Keli by:
Mitch
I just finished "Dead Man's Walk" by Larry McMurtry It was written after "Lonesome Dove" but chronologically came before so I read it first when I was dating Mitch we talked about me reading some westerns so I had all ready bought this one and I finally got around to reading it... At first I thought "oh man this is ANOTHER GUY BOOK! this reminds me of when Ryan and Chris would tell me to read books, except Mitch had never read this book but as I'm slogging throught it, ...more
Dead Man's Walk is the first book in the Lonesome Dove series, and features three beloved characters -- Woodrow Call, Augustus McCrae, and Clara.
If you enjoyed Lonesome Dove, don't expect to find awe inspiring younger versions of Call and McCrae in this story. Call and McCrae do not posesses great marksmanship, horsemanship, or tracking skills, they are not gifted with the ability to quickly learn Spanish, Apache, and Commanche, and they do not have great insights into the minds of ...more
If you enjoyed Lonesome Dove, don't expect to find awe inspiring younger versions of Call and McCrae in this story. Call and McCrae do not posesses great marksmanship, horsemanship, or tracking skills, they are not gifted with the ability to quickly learn Spanish, Apache, and Commanche, and they do not have great insights into the minds of ...more
Dead Man's Walk is one of the best Western novels I have read, not nearly as deep as Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian or All the Pretty Horses; but this is only the first McMurtry I have read, and I am delighted to find that there are so many more to read.
I am not very familiar with the Texas landscape, but reading this book makes me want to go visit Big Bend National Park and some of the other areas around West Texas.
At first I had a little difficulty separating the tw...more
I am not very familiar with the Texas landscape, but reading this book makes me want to go visit Big Bend National Park and some of the other areas around West Texas.
At first I had a little difficulty separating the tw...more
My review for those who do not want to read this book:
Hungry, thirsty, lost, hungry, thirsty, lost, hungry, thirsty, Comanches, hungry, thirsty, lost, hungry, thirsty, Mexicans, hungry, thirsty, walking, hungry, thirsty, walking.
My Review for those who may:
This book, while entertaining, is rather repetitive. I'm not sure how entertaining it would be without having read Lonesome Dove first (a clearly superior novel). Strangely, both Gus and Call are bystanders rather...more
Hungry, thirsty, lost, hungry, thirsty, lost, hungry, thirsty, Comanches, hungry, thirsty, lost, hungry, thirsty, Mexicans, hungry, thirsty, walking, hungry, thirsty, walking.
My Review for those who may:
This book, while entertaining, is rather repetitive. I'm not sure how entertaining it would be without having read Lonesome Dove first (a clearly superior novel). Strangely, both Gus and Call are bystanders rather...more
The first book of McMurtry's that I read was The Desert Rose. I am generally not a fan of contemporary fiction, and was disappointed with the book. As a consequence, I delayed reading Lonesome Dove.
A great opening to the Lonesome Dove series. Gus McCrae and Woodrow Call are introduced as young men first joining the Texas Rangers. Written as the first of two "prequels" to Lonesome Dove, McMurtry does a wonderful job of developing the characters and providing a terrific sto...more
A great opening to the Lonesome Dove series. Gus McCrae and Woodrow Call are introduced as young men first joining the Texas Rangers. Written as the first of two "prequels" to Lonesome Dove, McMurtry does a wonderful job of developing the characters and providing a terrific sto...more
As a preamble to this review, the only previous book by this author that I've read was The Last Picture Show and that was many decades ago. Of course I have heard of Lonesome Dove, but not read or seen it.
I read this book in three stages, each taking about a third of the book. The stages were separated by months. The stages were determined by natural stopping points in the book. After the first stage (the attempt to get to El Paso) i quit reading because of boredom and would probably ...more
I read this book in three stages, each taking about a third of the book. The stages were separated by months. The stages were determined by natural stopping points in the book. After the first stage (the attempt to get to El Paso) i quit reading because of boredom and would probably ...more
Great story. Extremely vivid settings and interesting characters. A treat for a reader with a good imagination. Knowing this was the first of a series made it difficult to put down. Could hardly wait to see how it ended. This is a work of fiction and therefore a product of the author's imagination. The locales are researched and the characters fit the time period. However, the author kind of sugar-coats some very real social problems and in particular portrays the Texas Rangers in a more positiv...more
I just tore through this book today, had a good ol' time. It's a Western of the time-honored variety, man against the Desert mostly, but with a fair amount of depth and plot pyrotechnics. Having read three of the four Lonesome Dove novels now, all out of order and years apart, I can't exactly put all the pieces together but they do seem to make sense. The theme of this book, like the other ones, is more or less "some men are some badasses and some ain't." We are treated to a wild p...more
Molly Jae
rated it
·
review of another edition
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Vaughn, Rex, Jay, Clark, Jerry, Darren, Dad, Uncle John and all other cowboys.
Ahh, this is a great cowboy story. It's the first time I've ever read McMurtry who has written over 30 books, and I'm excited to read more. Dead Man's Walk is the first in a tetrology which includes the Pulitzer Prize winning Lonesome Dove. I think his writing flows beautifully, his dialogue is great and you can smell the sagebrush and taste the dry sand as he describes the West. I imagine that his story reflects some truth of how the West was explored which means it is not a light-hearted s...more
After reading Lonesome Dove, I was surprised and ecstatic to find that it was the third book of a four book series. I was so excited to get the back story of Gus and Call, and figured that the best place to start would be book one (Dead Man's Walk). Unfortunately it did not live up yo my lofty expectations.
This book does a lot to explain the background and even some personality traits of the two that you see in the 3rd book, but for me this was the one and only redeeming quality....more
This book does a lot to explain the background and even some personality traits of the two that you see in the 3rd book, but for me this was the one and only redeeming quality....more
Even though I have read the majority I wanted to read all four of the Lonesome Dove books in chronological order. Next at bat is Comanche Moon; however, I may take a hiatus to finish my pending books. Of course, no novel in the past 50 years, can approach the Pulitzer price winning "Lonesome Dove" which would receive my vote for the great American novel although I doubt anyone would want my vote. This book covers the adventures of Woodrow and Gus at the beginning of their Ranger car...more
While not as good as Lonesome Dove, I still enjoyed this book (this is actually the 2nd or 3rd time I've read it). I love the characters of Gus McCrae and Woodrow Call who were first introduced in Lonesome Dove. Dead Man's Walk is one of two prequels to Lonesome Dove. Here we see Gus and Woodrow beginning their careers as Texas Rangers. Their adventures in this book will leave the reader exhausted by the end. There are some very gruesome scenes, but there are also moments of levity provided...more
Well, I've read the last two books of the series (Lonesome Dove and Streets of Laredeo) and find this one a bit disappointed. I know McMurtry likes to put our heros in impossible situations but at least they do something about it in the last two books. In this ones they are just mere observers. Things happen around them and they do little to nothing to change the outcome.
I'm halfway around the book and I really hope it picks up from here. At least the writting is good as always and t...more
I'm halfway around the book and I really hope it picks up from here. At least the writting is good as always and t...more
The "prequel" to "Comanche Moon, " depicting the adventures of Woodrow McCall and Gus McCrae as young men adrift in the Old West.
They join the Texas Rangers under Colonel Cobb to go on an expedition to take Santa Fe from the Mexicans. The travel through rough country in rough weather. They run into hostile Indians - Buffalo Hump, Kicking Horse and Gomez; the Mexican Army - Colonel Salazar; and an English noblewoman & her entourage, POW's of the Mexicans. It's ...more
They join the Texas Rangers under Colonel Cobb to go on an expedition to take Santa Fe from the Mexicans. The travel through rough country in rough weather. They run into hostile Indians - Buffalo Hump, Kicking Horse and Gomez; the Mexican Army - Colonel Salazar; and an English noblewoman & her entourage, POW's of the Mexicans. It's ...more
I am currently reading the entire Lonesome Dove series. Dead Man's Walk is the first of the four books. It vividly tells the story of Gus & Call as young Texas Rangers. McMurty is so skillful at fleshing out his characters. You quickly become to know them. This is a sweeping story of survival and brutality in the vastness we call Texas. This book begins to set the stage for the volumes to follow. This story will suck you in and make you want to read to the end to see out the rangers get out of t...more
I'm not much of a western reader but I do enjoy Larry McMurtry and especially his Lonesome Dove saga now comprised of three books, Dead Man's Walk, Lonesome Dove and Streets of Laredo. The title book still remains my favorite, so much so that I had to purchase a hardbound version (difficult to find) of it after I had read the paperback just to keep on the shelf. Would have liked a first edition but the prices were prohibitive. This prequel, Dead Man's Walk was written after the success of Lone...more
This book was good, but at first you kind of have to get used to the violence. But the book is accurate about life on the wild western frontier. It is violent, but at the same time it is gripping because of the survival that is required to live in this world. It makes you think about the times we live in now and to think none of it would be possible if people before us had not had the fortitude to survive and colonize the United States. Take away all the rights and wrongs and just look at fa...more
Unfortunately, this novel was a grim, mediocre follow up to Lonesome Dove. The plot basically follows a failed Texan invasion of New Mexico (and when I say failed, I mean really, really failed) with ensuing tragedy and tragedy and then some more tragedy. Like tragedy on a Greek or Biblical level, to the point that I was wondering if it was a metaphor for something.
Anyway, the weak plot is somewhat held in check by Larry McMurtry's brilliant, Mark-Twainian narrative voice (seldom has s...more
Anyway, the weak plot is somewhat held in check by Larry McMurtry's brilliant, Mark-Twainian narrative voice (seldom has s...more
Having Read Lonesome Dove and Streets of Laredo, I found this book to be also quite good. I enjoyed the story line and the characters. The style is vintage McMurtry except for the one weekness I saw. The plot seems to be a bit disjointed, with the characters going from one difficulty to the next without ever really wrapping up anything. It leaves you with an unfullfilled feeling at the end. I guess I just wasn't satisfied. It seems a little too obvious that McMurtry is simply setting us up for a...more
The first chronologically in the series of "Lonesome Dove" novels, but written later and not as good as the last in the series, Streets of Laredo. I was especially annoyed with the trick ending of this book. It never ceases to amaze me how many writers start a novel with a complex plot and obviously no clue about how to pull the plot together at the end. Thus the plethora of rabbit-from-the-hat endings that exist. Other than that, it's a classic Western of the realist school. I th...more
As with pretty much everything I "read', I listened to this on unabridged audio. I enjoyed this book, but didn't love it. I didn't feel like the characterizations was as consistent as I wanted it to be between this book and Lonesome Dove. Some of it could have had to do with the narration. I loved the voice the reader used for Gus in Lonesome Dove. Very loud and brash. The reader for Dead Man's Walk used kind of a bewildered, soft tone for Gus, and it just didn't fit, for me.
Karla (Mossy Love Grotto)
rated it
This was a letdown from the masterpiece that is Lonesome Dove. The story didn't gel together that well, and the characters weren't nearly as well-drawn. I got a "franchise" feel from it, like it was just being written to give the fans more Gus & McCall stories, or simply to cash in.
The opera singer's ploy to pass through the gauntlet was absurd. It's really the only thing I remember vividly about it.
The opera singer's ploy to pass through the gauntlet was absurd. It's really the only thing I remember vividly about it.
The early adventures of Gus and Woodrow show the two join the Texas Rangers and quickly discover how inadequate the Rangers are when facing the Comanche leader Buffalo Hump and the Apache led by Gomez. It's a fun adventure read. Buffalo hump is a great character. Other characters such as Big Foot Wallace and Matilda Roberts play as big of a roll as Gus and Woodrow in Dead Man's Walk.
Nine of these books will match LONESOME DOVE, but I am pleasantly surprised to see that all the hype about this one is true. It lacks depth, though it is somewhat fun. What makes me happy, though, is that I now know STREETS OF LAREDO, though not as good as LONESOME DOVE, shatters the quality of this book. They are not in the same league. At least he got the sequel right. Now, let's see what the second prequel is like.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Readers Also Enjoyed
Among many other accolades he was the co-winner of an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for Brokeback Mountain in 2006.
Larry McMurty was born in Wichita Falls Texas in 1936. His first published book Horseman, Pass By was adapted into the film "Hud".
McMurty went on to publish many more novels, a number of which went on to become movies as well as a TV mini-series.
More about Larry McMurtry...
Larry McMurty was born in Wichita Falls Texas in 1936. His first published book Horseman, Pass By was adapted into the film "Hud".
McMurty went on to publish many more novels, a number of which went on to become movies as well as a TV mini-series.
Share This Book
1 trivia question
More quizzes & trivia...
“-she remembered them kindly, for there was a sweetness in boys that didn't last long, once they became men.”
—
3 people liked it
“Well, boys," Long Bill said. "I guess here's where I quit rangering. It's rare sport, but it ain't quite safe.”
—
2 people liked it
More quotes…
