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Are there books similar to Texasville?

3 Answers2026-03-25 01:12:35

I absolutely adore Larry McMurtry's 'Texasville'—it's such a rich, character-driven sequel to 'The Last Picture Show.' If you're craving something with that same blend of small-town drama, dry humor, and nostalgic ache, I'd recommend diving into McMurtry's other works like 'Lonesome Dove.' It’s got that epic, sprawling feel but still nails the interpersonal tensions and bittersweet vibes.

Another gem is 'The Sportswriter' by Richard Ford. It’s quieter, more introspective, but it captures that midlife melancholy and the weight of past choices just like 'Texasville.' Or, for a darker twist, try Kent Haruf’s 'Plainsong'—it’s got that same dusty, rural setting with a cast of flawed, deeply human characters. Honestly, McMurtry’s talent for making place feel like a character is hard to match, but these books come close.

Is Texasville worth reading?

3 Answers2026-03-25 01:50:10

I picked up 'Texasville' out of curiosity after loving 'The Last Picture Show,' and honestly, it’s a mixed bag. The sequel revisits Duane and Jacy decades later, and while the nostalgia hits hard, it lacks the raw punch of the original. McMurtry’s writing still shines—his knack for small-town dynamics and flawed characters is unmatched—but the plot meanders. It’s like catching up with old friends who’ve grown bitter; fascinating but exhausting. If you’re invested in these characters, it’s worth it for the closure, but don’t expect the same magic.

That said, the humor saves it. Duane’s midlife crises and the absurdity of Texasville’s oil boom chaos are darkly funny. It’s a slower burn, more about reflecting on time’s passage than gripping drama. I’d recommend it to die-hard McMurtry fans, but newcomers should start with 'The Last Picture Show' first.

Who is Duane in Texasville?

3 Answers2026-03-25 22:08:02

Duane in 'Texasville' is such a fascinating character—I’ve always been drawn to how Larry McMurtry writes him with this mix of weariness and stubborn charm. He’s the same guy from 'The Last Picture Show,' but decades older, and life hasn’t been kind. Now he’s stuck in this small Texas town, drowning in debt, his marriage collapsing, and his kids running wild. What really gets me is how McMurtry makes Duane’s midlife crisis feel both tragic and darkly funny. He’s constantly at odds with his past, especially his unresolved tension with Jacy (who reappears like a ghost from his youth). The way he stumbles through relationships—clinging to his wife Karla one minute, then spiraling into chaos the next—feels painfully real.

What stands out is how 'Texasville' turns Duane into a mirror for generational stagnation. The oil boom’s gone bust, and so has he, but there’s this weird resilience in how he keeps going. The book’s tone is lighter than 'The Last Picture Show,' almost satirical, but Duane’s arc still hits hard. His failures are so human—you laugh at his bad decisions while recognizing how easy it’d be to make them yourself. That’s McMurtry’s genius: he makes a washed-up oilman feel like everyman’s cautionary tale.

What happens at the end of Texasville?

3 Answers2026-03-25 07:19:52

The ending of 'Texasville' is this beautiful, melancholic wrap-up that feels both bittersweet and oddly satisfying. Duane, the protagonist, has spent the whole film grappling with midlife crises, financial ruin, and complicated relationships in his small Texas town. By the finale, there's this quiet acceptance of chaos—his marriage to Karla isn't perfect, but they're sticking together, and the town's eccentricities have somehow become a part of him. The last scene with the old movie theater collapsing metaphorically mirrors Duane's own crumbling yet enduring spirit. It's not a fireworks climax, but it leaves you with this lingering warmth, like a sunset after a storm.

What really stuck with me was how the film rejects tidy resolutions. Life in Texasville keeps rolling on, messy and unresolved, and that's the point. The characters don't get fairy-tale endings; they get realism—laughter, tears, and a shared history that binds them. It's a love letter to imperfection, and that's why I adore it.

Why does Texasville have mixed reviews?

3 Answers2026-03-25 13:20:52

Texasville is one of those films that really divides audiences, and I think a lot of it comes down to expectations. As a follow-up to 'The Last Picture Show,' which is a beloved classic, people went in hoping for something just as profound or nostalgic. But 'Texasville' has a completely different tone—more chaotic, almost satirical in how it portrays the characters decades later. Some viewers adore this shift because it feels honest about how life and people change, while others find it jarring or even disrespectful to the original.

Personally, I appreciate how it leans into the messiness of middle age. The humor is darker, the relationships are frayed, and the nostalgia isn’t sweet—it’s bittersweet. If you go in expecting another melancholic ode to small-town life, you’ll be disappointed. But if you meet it on its own terms, it’s a fascinating, messy companion piece. The cinematography’s brighter, the pacing is looser, and the performances (especially Jeff Bridges) are hilariously unhinged. It’s not for everyone, but that’s why I keep revisiting it.

Texasville

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Questions About Texasville

Are there books similar to Texasville?

Is Texasville worth reading?

Who is Duane in Texasville?

What happens at the end of Texasville?

Why does Texasville have mixed reviews?

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