I replied to a comment by “Atticus C.” and my voluminous drivel was such that Google couldn’t process it. So I figured what the heck, I’ll just post it. So for context, you might want to go to my previous post and read all of Atticus C.’s comments. This is far from a well thought out posting. I simply pasted my stream of consciousness reply to Atticus C. and added a couple of pictures.
“Atticus C. ... Thanks man. You are feeding my focus on McMurtry and Texas. That's how I roll, reading wise. I was on a Flannery O'Connor tear for a month or so last year. Then a Cheever-Updike thing. After I wash McMurtry out of my noggin, I've got some F. Scott Fitz revisits already sitting on the table. And thanks for your suggestions. I shall read them in that particular order.
I read a little bit online about the Archer City/McMurtry angst. Seems that there ain't any middle ground re Larry. People either like him in Archer City or they don't. Some of the shite it seems, comes from people still being ruffled about how Archer was characterized in the Last Picture Show as well as other stories. And some just flat out don't get the guy...because those remaining in Archer City aren't exactly the most "book driven" people walking. It is said that very few people in Archer City actually set foot in his stores.
And another thing...McMurtry says that the diaries of James Lees Milne are the books that he most cherishes and re-reads. Well that right there is enough evidence to let me know that he and Archer City ain't ever gonna exactly love each other in every way--all the time. Milne...a British architectural historian and devotee of aesthetics who could turn words into beautiful characterizations. And McMurtry...the son of true-genuine Texas pioneers and cattle people, some of whom actually worked for Mr. Goodnight (Goodnight-Loving Trail fame). No wonder Archer Citizens are mixed about the man.
Texas...the other reason I want to drive the five hour round trip tomorrow is to see something other than Dallas, Houston and Austin. The Texas stereotype I have in my head is manifest mostly from my business travel experiences to usually Dallas but sometimes Houston. And I know there's more to it than what I've not so positively concluded. Robert Caro helped me understand some of this in his characterization of the Texas Hill Country in the first volume of his LBJ biographical series. McMurtry's books will also help me with that too because certainly one day to Archer City ain't quite gonna gel it.
McMurtry has made a ton of dough writing screenplays so I know he's got some resources. But if you read his autobiographical trilogy, you'll learn that he at heart, is a bookman. A lover of used, new, antiquarian books. But the businessman in me says that he knows that his bookstores in Archer City are not going to survive. They almost closed last year. Thanks Atticus C.”
Onward. To Texas.
ADG II
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