Duane's Depressed

Rating:
Summary: In a word: disappointing
Review: I found "Duane's depressed" not nearly as good as I had expected. True, the character of Duane is fascinating, and there is a good deal of wonderful humor. However, Duane is never really depressed except in others' eyes, and I found that assignment almost insulting. The fact is that he shows no signs of depression, he is sort of goaded into visiting the psychiatrist, he falls in love with her almost instantly, has a flood of tears and a great understanding far too soon in the doctor-patient relationship, and in general the entire psychological development, from the "walking" start to the "pyramidal" finish, is written in an all-too sophomorish manner. Perhaps I would have enjoyed it more if I had reread "The last picture show" or read "Texasville". Surely one the story in "Duane's depressed" could (and should) have been told in far fewer words.

Rating:
Summary: Worth the effort
Review: Duane's Deppressed was a slow starter for me, but in shortorder became a cherished memory. For any man who has ever experienceda "life-purpose" crisis or awakening, you will find Duane Moore's journey to be thought provoking, validating, and worthwhile. McMurtry is a master of dialoge and a weaver of a story that will cause you to care deeply about the direction of this one man's life. Treat yourself to this probe into "everyman" and his reconcilation with the world around him.

Rating:
Summary: Start at the beginning - finish with the end...
Review: In a word - surprised. This trilogy has a consistent quality that McMurtry did not even approach with the Lonesome Dove series. Maybe starting a story in the middle and working sequel, pre-prequel and then prequel and is just too hard. And the money's the same, good or bad. I did not love this as much as I despised Dead Man's Walk, but I thought that things were wrapped up well. Since you know that he's liable to kill off just about anyone at anytime, the deaths in this book while they invoke some melancholy, didn't jolt you like those in Lonesome Dove. Larry McMurtry at his best makes me laugh out loud. That happened more often than usual in Duane's Depressed.

Rating:
Summary: Best of the three.
Review: I hated "The Last Picture Show." Maybe it was because I had seen the film first. The humor in the novel seemed out of place, for some reason. On the other hand, the humor in "Texasville" was appropriate, making it a much better novel. "Duane's Depressed" is the best of the three, mainly because it is unexpected. I had no idea what direction this novel was going to follow, especially after "Texasville." Duane reads Proust, rides a bike, gives his dog to a prostitute, and sees a psychiatrist. These hardly seem to be central events of a great novel, but McMurtry makes it all work. Reminds me of Call bringing Gus' corpse back to Texas, for some reason.

Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly strong conclusion to the Thalia trilogy
Review: As a long-time McMurtry fan, I approached Duane's Depressed with caution given the quality of the 'Last Picture Show' and 'Texasville' and the disappointing 'later'sequals 'The Late Child' and 'The Evening Star'. However any concerns that Mr McMurtry has lost his touch are put to rest in this surprisingly strong and touching conclusion to the Thalia trilogy.

McMurtry's storytelling is always entertaining, and what makes Duane's Depressed so worthwhile is this ability to keep readers interested and involved for over 400 pages. This is certainly one of his more mature works and well worth reading.

Rating:
Summary: Not what I expected from Larry
Review: Followed Abbey's "Fools Progress" with this little one day read. After a couple of times hearign about the one ball, I had enough. Did you know that Ken Starr is from Thalia?

Rating:
Summary: Has literary pretensions, but isn't a good read
Review: Reading any of McMurtry's sequels is a pointless exercise. They may have literary merit, but for those of us who just want to read the next installment, they are merely one big down. His earlier novels created memorable characters we cared about; his later works dispose of them with reckless abandon. How 90's!

Rating:
Summary: You have to love McMurtry
Review: To me, the author wrote this book for his fans; not so much to be #1 on the best-seller list. Having felt like I've known Duane, Ruth, and Sonny since the early 70s, it was like reading about old friends. McMurtry is unparalleled with his use of the English language in the way he paints pictures with the characters' thoughts and dialogue. All of his characters are so real - perhaps quirky, but real. There are a number of laugh-out-loud moments in this book as well as a couple of heart-in-your-throat ones. McMurtry fans, enjoy this one! Newer readers may want to begin with another of his masterpieces. ("Horseman, Pass By" is a great start.)

Rating:
Summary: I'm sad to see the story end.
Review: A fitting a moving conclusion to an American saga. McMurty's insight and writing continue to ripen and mature. I loved it.

Rating:
Summary: An annoying read
Review: Duanes Depressed is one of the slowest and most annoying books I have read in a long time. The book was lacking any sort of reasoning that would compel the reader to want to go on! I found myself putting down the book in annoyance many a time, only later to pick it up,believing that this book must get better, and have some sort of purpose to it. It doesn't. Do not waste your time with this one. Good thing I got it at the library.