Folly and Glory

A Novel

By: Larry McMurtry

Narrated by: Alfred Molina

In this brilliant saga—the final volume of The Berrybender Narratives and an epic in its own right—Larry McMurtry lives up to his reputation for delivering novels with “wit, grace, and more than a hint of what might be called muscular nostalgia, fit together to create a panoramic portrait of the American West” (The New York Times Book Review).

As this finale opens, Tasmin and her family are under irksome, though comfortable, arrest in Mexican Santa Fe. Her father, the eccentric Lord Berrybender, is planning to head for Texas with his whole family and his retainers, English, American, and Native American. Tasmin, who would once have followed her husband, Jim Snow, anywhere, is no longer even sure she likes him, or knows where to go to next. Neither does anyone else—even Captain Clark, of Lewis and Clark fame, is puzzled by the great changes sweeping over the West, replacing Native Americans and buffalo with towns and farms.

In the meantime, Jim Snow, accompanied by Kit Carson, journeys to New Orleans, where he meets up with a muscular giant named Juppy, who turns out to be one of Lord Berrybender’s many illegitimate offspring, and in whose company they make their way back to Santa Fe. But even they are unable to prevent the Mexicans from carrying the Berrybender family on a long and terrible journey across the desert to Vera Cruz.

Starving, dying of thirst, and in constant, bloody battle with slavers pursuing them, the Berrybenders finally make their way to civilization—if New Orleans of the time can be called that—where Jim Snow has to choose between Tasmin and the great American plains, on which he has lived all his life in freedom, and where, after all her adventures, Tasmin must finally decide where her future lies.

With a cast of characters that includes almost every major real-life figure of the West, Folly and Glory is a novel that represents the culmination of a great and unique four-volume saga of the early days of the West; it is one of Larry McMurtry’s finest achievements.©2004 Larry McMurtry. All rights reserved; (P)2004 Simon and Schuster Inc. All rights reserved.

amazing use of dialog

Would you listen to Folly and Glory again? Why?

This is the second time I have listened to this book. There is much character development that one likes and knows the people. Also, the listener gets a taste of how difficult like would be trying to stay alive in the West. The violence of the time, the sickness and threats were part of your day to day.

What other book might you compare Folly and Glory to and why?

Larry McMurtry does a great job with all his old west tales. The biggest difference between his books and others of this time is his beautiful use of language and his turn of a phrase in dialog.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

The narrator does a great job. I did find it difficult to put it down and listened while at the gym, grocery storage and driving.

Any additional comments?

I loved this series. Best would be to start at the beginning though.

a very unique story

Couldn't wait to get started on this last book of the series. Very strange twists and turns, nothing like I had expected it to be. Very sad to be left hanging at the end but with Mr. Mcmurtry's passing I suppose that's all there will be.

Folly and Glory

If this whole series is not a mini-series soon, or maybe I missed it, then it should be. It would have to be edited, naturally, but what a story. It is in the order of the "Lonesome Dove" but with many more interesting characters. I have enjoyed all of McMurtry's work and hope to see the English family on screen some time before long. Its on a level with L'Amour's "How the West Was Won".

Great story, great characters

I thoroughly enjoyed this saga, all four books. McMurtry did not disappoint with great characters, tying in historical characters and events, and bringing the harsh reality of the frontier to life. Alfred Molina was perfect as well. I'm just sorry it's done.

Berrybenders

I have read these books and have listened to them twice. The whole series is fantastic! I have cried when I came to the end each time. Love just about all of McMurtry’s books!!!