Larry McMurtry

Larry McMurtry is one of the most acclaimed contemporary American authors and an authority in the world of western literature. Born in Texas in 1936, McMurtry grew up inspired by his family’s history of being pioneers of the American West and by tales of the Wild West. He attended Stanford University and earned a bachelor’s degree in English. After serving two years in the United States Air Force, he returned to Stanford to earn his master’s degree in creative writing.

McMurtry’s career as an author began with his debut novel, "Horseman, Pass By", in 1961. It was a tremendous success and eventually was made into a film starring Paul Newman. His fourth novel, "The Last Picture Show”, was widely considered to be a modern classic, earning McMurtry the National Book Award for Fiction and numerous other awards. McMurtry also wrote many acclaimed screenplays, including "Terms of Endearment” and “Brokeback Mountain”.

McMurtry is best known for his western-themed works, which often explore themes of frontier life and explore his home state of Texas. His characters are often outsiders or are on a journey of self-discovery. They often engender sympathy for outcasts and explore the themes of acceptance and belonging. For example, McMurtry’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, "Lonesome Dove", centers on two former Texas Rangers and a group of outcasts they guide in a cattle drive. The novel is a poignant exploration of friendship, loss, and the human condition.

McMurtry’s work, while influenced by the western genre, often deals with all sorts of themes. His novels often explore the consequences of power and money, as well as the power love can have on a person. In fact, his novels often feature strong female characters that challenge societal norms, even when they expected to behave as somewhat subordinate in the society of the times.

McMurtry is a prolific author with more than 30 books to his credit, as well as numerous films and TV series adaptations of his stories. He continues to write and publish, though he has called off from writing novels and currently focuses on nonfiction and memoirs, such as his most recent work, "Books”. His is deeply immersed in books, both from his past and from his current research, and his memoir, “Books“, documents the joy the search for, acquisition and loving of books gives him.

Overall, Larry McMurtry is an iconic American author who is credited with helping shape modern western literature. His books have earned a plethora of awards, including two Academy Awards for his screenplays, and his influence on writing and pop culture remains strong. He is one of the most relevant and influential authors of the 20th and 21st centuries.