Horseman, Pass By

By: Larry McMurtry

Narrated by: Kerin McCue

Length: 7 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's Summary

In addition to his 29 books, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Larry McMurtry is credited on dozens of screenplays—including the Academy Award-winning Brokeback Mountain.

Horseman, Pass By is a post-World War II classic first published in 1961 and later made into a feature film (Hud, starring Paul Newman). Cattleman Homer Bannon is a walking advertisement for traditional, old-frontier morals—in contrast to his stepson, Hud. Homer’s grandson Lonnie is torn between emotions for his father and grandfather as he struggles to define his own identity.

©1989 Larry McMurtry (P)1995 Recorded Books, LLC

A Good Story and A Vey Good Audiobook Narration

"Horseman Pass By" is a pretty good, early novel by Larry McMurtry. It is set in rural Texas in 1954 and was authored in 1961. It is about life on a cattle ranch owned by an older gentleman. I liked the story. It has a flow to it and is not a high octane action story or thriller. I liked it a good deal.

I felt the story made a good audiobook as it is a fairly easy read. I felt he narration by Keri McCue was particularly good. Thee is some interesting narrative about scenery. I had to read this part on Kindle and re listen to this portion to gain a full appreciation for the scenery.

This is the first novel by Larry McMurtry that I have read. I liked it a good deal and definitely intend to read more of his novels in the future. As stated this is an early novel and a great place to start. Thank You...

Great book. Gawdawful performance

This is a wonderful and rich story. Captivating with wonderful characterizations. The problem is that the performance is wooden flat and in some places clumsy. Use of accents is weird in places. But it’s still a good listen if you get past the reader.

Muffled narration 3/4 into book

It sounds like someone threw a blanket over the narrator's mic 3/4 through the book.

Another great.McMurtry story

Loved this tale of he lifr of a rancher and his family. Now we have to watch "Hud" again to see this book.

Narration has no inflection

What would have made Horseman, Pass By better?

The narrator makes no effort to change his tone... ever. It's hard to listen to the dialogue especially. Your really can't tell if someone is asking a question, telling a joke, sobbing, etc. I'm probably spoiled and used to narrators who develop a different voice for each character. But this guy is going above and beyond to make the entire reading monotone. The regional dialect is especially bad, it sounds so out if place in his delivery.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Haven't finished yet. I do have a problem with people writing reviews before they finish, but this narrator is going to make this a grueling experience and I had to say something.

Would you be willing to try another one of Kerin McCue’s performances?

No, not unless he has figured out that audio books in the 21st century have become a genuine source of entertainment and performance art. This reads like a textbook.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

I really am having trouble following the reader. He sucks all the emotion out of the story. His interpretation of the style, punctuation, and inflection that McMurtry had in mind is completely absent. I'd rather listen to a reader who has a bad sense of interpreting characters than no style at all.

Any additional comments?

I just wish this book could be re-released with a different reader. It was done in the early 90's before audio books were a viable source of entertainment for over 50 million people in the U.S. This just sounds informational.

"Western Ways"

What made the experience of listening to Horseman, Pass By the most enjoyable?

The voice narrative was excellent.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Horseman, Pass By?

The conflict of generational values.

What about Kerin McCue’s performance did you like?

He was the essence of all the charaters.

If you could rename Horseman, Pass By, what would you call it?

Hud and family.

Early book by McMurtry and it shows it.

I love McMurtry books, but this one was a very early book my him and it shows it in many ways. It is normal for his books to be slow winders but this one just goes way to far. I hate to say boring but i cannot think of any other word that really fits, so boring will just have to stand. The reader is pretty good and considering what he was given to work with he did a pretty good job. I'll keep this brief and say you could pick another McMurtry to get to know him and just about all of them would work, he really is a excellent writer TODAY.