Status Updates From Horseman, Pass By: A Novel

He went to a dead, tearing run, till he was stretched out low to the ground, with his red legs blurred. I couldn’t see for the wind tears in my eyes, and I was afraid I’d fall off. But I had been waiting a week for the thrill and excitement of his speed. We went over the gray-brown grass like it was a race track, Stranger running for all he was worth and me leaning over his neck hanging on to his flying mane.

Granddad squatted down beside him. He had taken out his pocketknife and was whittling on the dry stem of a ragweed, shaving off the thin brittle bark. The lines in his face were deep, like ruts in road, his whiskers snow white against his brown face. He looked at the heifer curiously, but he didn’t seem too disturbed. He had lost a lot of cattle at one time or another in his life.

This is a reread which I’m looking forward to very much.

This novel was the basis for the classic film Hud with Paul Newman. The movie won three Academy Awards.

However my interest is less in the film or book or plot or even the story itself.

I want to read McMurtry’s incredible writing again and savor it like a good meal and a good strong drink.

I was reading over the highlights I’d selected from this novel a while back and omg Larry’s writing was so damn fine I said bro y’all gotta ride this horse again. So I am 🐎