Rhino Ranch

By: Larry McMurtry

Narrated by: Will Patton

Length: 6 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

In this poignant and striking final chapter in the Duane Moore story, which began in 1966 with The Last Picture Show, Pulitzer Prize- and Oscar-winning author Larry McMurtry takes readers on one last unforgettable journey to Thalia, Texas, a town that continues to change at a breakneck pace even as Duane feels himself slowing down.

Returning home to recover from a near-fatal heart attack, Duane discovers that he has a new neighbor: the statuesque K. K. Slater, a quirky billionairess who's come to Thalia to open the Rhino Ranch, dedicated to the preservation of the endangered black rhinoceros. Despite their obvious differences, Duane can't help but find himself charmed by K. K.'s stubborn toughness and lively spirit, and the two embark on a flirtation that rapidly veers toward the sexual -- but the return of Honor Carmichael complicates Duane's romantic intentions considerably. As Duane reflects on all that he and Thalia have been through, he feels adrift in a world where love and betrayal walk hand in hand and a stalwart Texas oil town can become home to a nature preserve.

Rhino Ranch is a fitting end to this iconic saga, an emotional, whimsical and bittersweet tribute to the lives of a man and a town that have inspired readers across decades.

©2009 Larry McMurtry (P)2009 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"[A] top-shelf blend of wit and insight, sharply defined characters and to-the-point prose.” ( Publishers Weekly)

"In Rhino Ranch he treats his many loyal readers to a last roundup of characters so everyone can have a sense of closure, a view of what happens to them. His ardent fans, the ones who have been on the trail with him since The Last Picture Show or Texasville, will have their fill." ( The Washington Post)

Well I've done it.......

Finishing all five of the Thalia and Duane stories by audio and e-book format one after another reminds me of how I felt on completing Gone With The Wind.......frankly, nothing in novel form could hold my interest for the next year! Like Duane, though, my road is more behind me, not in front, and I can not afford to take a break now. To clear my palate I have Leslie Marmon Silko lines up before resuming McMurtry.......I am in no rush to end my fascination with their bookx.

Love Will Patton

I could listen to Will Patton all day. He makes a story come alive. Rhino Ranch gave me several characters to remember.

Buddies Duane & Billy remind me of Gus & McCall.

McMurtry has done it again...love the characters, buddies Duane and Billy. Life in small town Texas.

fitting opposite bookend to The Last Picture Show

Just finished it, and loved it as much as the first book in the series. It captures the essence of aging as well as The Last Picture Show captured coming of age.

A short and remarkable journey

Kind of a coda, but a coda full of life's wisdoms. Read it, listen to it, you'll be pleased you did.

best American writer

He won my heart with Lonesome Dove. I will read/listen to anything he writes. This book is a western, but very diffrent from traditional western stories you might be used to.

Patton made Duane come to life.

After reading/listening the other books in the series, Rhino Ranch is a wonderful end to Duane's story. Although it is more of an observation of small town Texas, it also shows the evolution of Duane Moore. Patton did an amazing job with the narration and really made Duane come to life...until he died. Really enjoyable listen.

Too Much Details of a Sexual Nature in This One

This story went beyond 'cowboy talk' to characters that discussed sexual situations that lent nothing to the story. It quickly became gratuitous. The book could have interlaced more information about endangered species and why Black Rhinos were hunted for their horn etc. It could have also had more mystery and danger for the Rhino, who wanted the ranch gone, why the owner of the ranch was suddenly 'broke' ... Missed opportunity for a good book.

Can't win them all.

Definitely not one of his best for sure. Narrator did a good job with a difficult story.

A great read

McMurtry touches on modern day global connections, stretching from Sri Lanka to the African continent. It's a switch from his resilient yesteryear sagas but manages to capture outdoor freshness sprinkled with the familiar style of humor and spontaneity found in all his writings. No problem with a five in my book.