Lonesome Dove

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1985

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Book Club Questions

General Impressions

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of gender discrimination and racism.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Why do you think this novel beat so many other titles for the Pulitzer Prize in 1985? What sets it apart from other genre fiction? How does it compare to other classic Westerns—e.g., Charles Portis’s True Grit or Cormac McCarthy’s All the Pretty Horses?

2. Many elements of the narrative are dated, particularly its treatment of women and people of color. How did this affect your reading of the novel?

3. Have you read any of Larry McMurtry’s other works—e.g., Horseman, Pass By or The Last Picture Show? If so, how does this novel compare, particularly to his earlier works? If not, would you be interested in exploring more of his novels?

Personal Reflection and Connection

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Which character do you feel changed the most across the novel? Did you relate to their journey in any way?

2. The “Wild West” is presented as a landscape that is overidealized and unforgiving. Did anything about this setting surprise you? How did it compare with any preconceptions you might have had?

3. Consider the way loyalty is explored in the novel. How does this attribute resonate in your own life? Is it something you prioritize in your relationships?

4. Could you sympathize with Call’s motives in rejecting his son? What would you have done in his situation?

Societal and Cultural Context

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. The novel is often considered a product of its time. Which elements appear dated, and which are timeless?

2. How does the author engage with stereotypes and beliefs at the time of writing to heighten tension in the novel?

3. Discuss the role gender expectations and dynamics play in the plot. Does it offer any lessons for today’s world?

Literary Analysis

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. Compare and contrast the antagonistic figures in the novel. How are their actions driven by similar motives, and how are they different?

2. Discuss how key characters created their own fates through the choices they made. How does this depiction support the work’s overall meaning?

3. Could the novel’s setting be considered a character in its own right? Discuss the ways the natural world functions like a secondary character.

4. In which ways are each of the characters influenced by their pasts? What does this suggest about the novel’s overall portrayal of history and memory?

Creative Engagement

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Watch the miniseries based on this novel and compare it with the book. Was it portrayed in the way you imagined it? What worked well, and what didn’t? If you were adapting this novel for the screen, what choices would you make in terms of casting, film location, soundtrack, etc.?

2. Imagine the characters are alive today and use social media platforms, online communities, and dating apps. Which app would each character use most, and why?

3. Imagine you’re a newspaper reporter. Interview one of the characters about a pivotal scene.

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