If you enjoy reading books by Larry McMurtry then you might also like the following authors:
Readers who enjoy Larry McMurtry’s vivid portrayals of the American West might appreciate Annie Proulx’s storytelling in “Close Range: Wyoming Stories.” This collection is set in the harsh Wyoming landscape, where life is tough but fascinating.
The most famous tale, “Brokeback Mountain,” explores the lives of two ranch hands, Ennis and Jack, caught in a secret relationship over decades. Proulx captures the stark beauty of rural life and the complicated emotions beneath her characters’ tough exteriors.
Like McMurtry, she crafts nuanced characters who struggle with isolation, longing, and the pull of an unforgiving land.
Books by Cormac McCarthy offer powerful tales of life in the American Southwest and frontier regions. Readers who enjoy Larry McMurtry’s stories about rugged landscapes and complex frontier characters may find McCarthy’s work equally engaging.
One standout novel, “All the Pretty Horses,” follows young John Grady Cole as he leaves Texas and crosses into Mexico, searching for a lost way of life. Along the way, he encounters adventure, romance, and harsh realities, all set against vividly depicted Southwestern scenery.
McCarthy weaves a story that is beautiful yet gritty, offering both harsh truth and poetic detail.
Elmer Kelton was an American novelist known for his authentic and thoughtful portrayal of life in the American West. Readers who admire Larry McMurtry’s clear-eyed depiction of Western characters will find similar appeal in Kelton’s novel “The Time It Never Rained.”
Set in 1950s Texas, the story follows Charlie Flagg, a stubborn rancher determined to survive a devastating drought without relying on government aid.
Charlie’s resilience and pride capture the deep independence of rural Texans facing relentless hardship, giving a vivid sense of place and real insight into ranch life.
Kelton creates a quiet yet powerful vision of perseverance, community conflict, and personal integrity, offering a narrative that remains grounded and true.
Jim Harrison was an American author known for insightful and character-rich stories set against sweeping landscapes. Readers who love Larry McMurtry’s blend of vivid scenery and deep character exploration may find Harrison equally rewarding.
His novella collection “Legends of the Fall” captures three brothers living on a ranch in Montana during WWI. Their lives unfold in dramatic ways, shaped by family bonds, tragedy, and profound connections to nature.
Harrison’s skill at capturing emotional depth through understated, powerful storytelling makes this novella especially memorable.
Edward Abbey was an American author known for vibrant storytelling and vivid portrayals of the American West. Readers who enjoy Larry McMurtry’s sense of place and colorful characters may connect with Abbey’s novel “The Monkey Wrench Gang.”
This book centers around a spirited, eccentric group of environmentalists who set out to sabotage developments threatening the natural beauty of the desert Southwest.
Abbey combines humor, adventure, and a sharp critique of modern society, painting memorable scenes of wilderness and rebellion.
If you appreciate the open spaces, complex friendships, and irreverent style found in McMurtry’s work, Edward Abbey could be the author you’re searching for.
If you enjoy Larry McMurtry’s vivid storytelling and deep, complex characters, James Lee Burke might be a perfect discovery. Burke captures the essence of Southern life and human struggle in his novel “The Neon Rain,” the first book in his popular Dave Robicheaux series.
Set in the surroundings of New Orleans, the novel introduces Dave Robicheaux, a troubled detective exploring a city’s dark underbelly filled with crime, corruption, and personal demons.
Burke wonderfully blends mystery, thoughtful character studies, and richly atmospheric descriptions that draw readers deeply into the heart of Louisiana.
Wallace Stegner was an American writer famous for his rich storytelling and authentic portrayals of life in the American West.
Readers who enjoy Larry McMurtry’s honest depictions of western landscapes and complicated family relationships may appreciate Stegner’s novel “Angle of Repose.”
In this beautifully crafted book, Stegner introduces readers to Lyman Ward, a retired historian confined to a wheelchair who immerses himself in letters and personal papers of his grandparents, pioneers settling in the West in the late 1800s.
As Lyman reconstructs their lives and marriage, readers travel through vivid snapshots of frontier life, struggles, ambitions, and desires that shaped their family legacy.
Stegner thoughtfully portrays generations and the landscapes they inhabit, offering an authentic view into human resilience and flaws.
Willa Cather offers stories rooted deeply in the American frontier, similar in spirit to Larry McMurtry’s authentic depictions of Western life.
Her novel “My Ántonia” captures Nebraska’s prairie landscapes through the eyes of Jim Burden, recalling memories of his childhood friend Ántonia, an immigrant girl from Bohemia.
Together they face the harsh conditions of frontier life, their friendship shaping Jim’s understanding of resilience, hardship, and community ties.
Readers who appreciate McMurtry’s richly drawn characters and genuine portrayal of rural America will find plenty to enjoy in Cather’s storytelling.
Readers who enjoy Larry McMurtry’s vivid stories of the American West may also appreciate Charles Portis. Portis writes sharp, clever dialogue and crafts memorable characters. His most famous work, “True Grit,” tells the story of fourteen-year-old Mattie Ross.
After her father is murdered, Mattie hires a tough, one-eyed marshal named Rooster Cogburn to help track down the killer. Their journey through dangerous territory tests their courage, humor, and strength.
Portis’s style blends adventure, humor, and authentic Western spirit in a story that’s hard to put down.
Books by Elmore Leonard capture sharp dialogue, memorable characters, and vivid storytelling that readers of Larry McMurtry often appreciate. In “Hombre,” Leonard introduces John Russell, a tough, quiet man raised by Apaches and now traveling by stagecoach across Arizona.
When bandits ambush the journey, Russell must step up to protect the passengers who previously looked down on him. The tension builds steadily as loyalties shift, revealing the deeper qualities of courage, prejudice, and survival in the harsh landscape of the American West.
For fans of thoughtful Westerns that explore human nature, Leonard’s “Hombre” hits the mark.
If you enjoy Larry McMurtry’s vivid western tales, you might also appreciate the classic storytelling of Jack Schaefer.
Schaefer’s memorable novel, “Shane,” tells the story of a mysterious stranger who arrives at a Wyoming homestead and quietly becomes entwined in the lives of the local settlers.
Through the eyes of young Bob Starrett, we see Shane slowly revealed as a man marked by skill and dangerous secrets. The story explores themes of courage, friendship, and the struggle to keep peace amid a troubled frontier.
Schaefer builds tension steadily and gives each character a distinct voice, making “Shane” a thoughtful and unforgettable read for those who appreciate authentic Western stories.
Readers who enjoy Larry McMurtry’s epic storytelling and vivid historical settings will find a similar style in James A. Michener’s novels. Michener’s “Lonesome Dove”-like ability to create engaging characters is evident in his novel “Centennial.”
This sprawling narrative brings to life the story of a fictional Colorado town over generations, from prehistoric times to the 1970s. The novel showcases pioneers, indigenous communities and ranchers, each vividly portrayed with their conflicts, triumphs, dreams and hardships.
Michener’s detailed setting and well-rounded characters make the reader thoroughly immersed in the Old West and its transformation through history.
Books by Kent Haruf capture life in small-town America with the kind of quiet realism and emotional depth that Larry McMurtry fans often appreciate.
In “Plainsong,” Haruf introduces readers to Holt, Colorado, a town filled with characters whose ordinary lives hold deep meaning and grace.
The novel weaves together the stories of several residents—a high school teacher helping raise two boys alone, two elderly brothers who farm on the outskirts of town, and a pregnant teenager cast out by her mother.
Haruf’s honest and sensitive portrayal makes each character memorable, offering a moving look into community, relationships, and resilience.
Readers drawn to McMurtry’s detailed character studies and thoughtful explorations of small-town bonds may find new territory to explore in Kent Haruf’s novels.
Louis L’Amour is an author loved by fans of classic Western fiction. He has a storytelling style that combines vivid landscapes and authentic frontier dialogue. In his novel “Hondo,” readers meet Hondo Lane, a rugged and independent army scout caught between two worlds.
Hondo becomes entangled in the lives of Angie Lowe and her young son, as conflict brews between the Apaches and the cavalry.
The story is a tense and vibrant portrayal of life and survival in the Old West, with memorable characters and heartfelt moments that readers familiar with Larry McMurtry’s novels will thoroughly appreciate.
If you enjoy Larry McMurtry’s vivid stories about complex family bonds and life in the American West, Norman Maclean could be a great next read. Maclean’s novella “A River Runs Through It” centers around two brothers raised in rural Montana.
Fishing represents more than a pastime for the brothers. It becomes a powerful thread that connects family, wilderness, and memory. Maclean writes simply and beautifully about love, loss, and responsibility within a family.
His stories about nature and human relationships resonate long after you finish reading.