Larry McMurtry

A Life

By: Tracy Daugherty

Narrated by: Matt Godfrey

A biography of the late Pulitzer Prize-winning American novelist and screenwriter Larry McMurtry.

In over forty books, in a career that spanned over sixty years, Larry McMurtry staked his claim as a superior chronicler of the American West, and as the Great Plains’ keenest witness since Willa Cather and Wallace Stegner. Larry McMurtry: A Life traces his origins as one of the last American writers who had direct contact with this country’s pioneer traditions. It follows his astonishing career as bestselling novelist, Pulitzer-Prize winner, author of the beloved Lonesome Dove, Academy-Award winning screenwriter, public intellectual, and passionate bookseller. A sweeping and insightful look at a versatile, one-of-a-kind American writer, this book is a must-listen for every Larry McMurtry fan.

©2023 Tracy Daugherty (P)2023 Recorded Books

The great book about a great contemporary American writer

I love, love, love, love this biography! I’ve loved Larry McMurtry after since seeing The Last Picture Show when it first came out and then reading his book. And later seeing and reading Texasville and Duane’s Depressed and the final two slim Duane novels. I’ve longed to take a road trip to Archer City to see Thalia for myself, eat at the Dairy Queen and feel the place and it’s one blinking red stop light.
I will listen to this book again and again. Next time perhaps when I’m driving there.
This book could not have been better, written or better read aloud.
A GEM!!!!!
I only regret that I cannot be writing this review on a Hermes, 3000 manual typewriter.

Excellent excellent excellent

What a fabulous book! Larry McMurtry had an intriguing personality. The author explained him so well. The book was so well written. I’ve gone back and watched two of his films and have another one on the docket. I can’t believe how much I loved it.

For book lovers

Great narration of an epic Americana biography about a great American writer. I can’t wait to go back through the McMurtry cannon

Just as I feared.....

.... this genius who wrote one of my favorite books… Lonesome Dove… As well as several other remarkable tones… To include the last picture show… Was completely condescending, arrogant, judgmental, and unpleasant. Completely wrapped up in himself… No wonder he was an atheist. All of which does not necessarily condemn this particular biography. But What I did find distasteful was the authors toadying to the same. Reminded me of the movie I just saw on Bob Dylan… I wanted to discover something about the man that ran countercurrent to his reputation. The movie only reinforced the reputation. And, once again, that is OK… But I just could not get over how unpleasant the subject of this biography must've been… No wonder he was clinically depressed, and, apparently (sadly) unfulfilled. Very depressing… Like many of McMurtry's endings.

Detailed account of Larry Mcmurtry’s life.

The book gave a detailed account of his life and a good feel of the history of parts of Texas. As a fellow born Texan I think it gave the reader an accurate taste of the Texas that Larry grew up in. I believe the book was a bit rambling on the details of Larry’s life.