Leaving Cheyenne

 

Leaving Cheyenne – Larry McMurtry

McMurtry’s second novel. Written when he was still an unknown.  This book was a whole lot better than his first (‘Horseman, Pass By’). Had one read his first novel upon release, they might conclude that he might remain an unknown.  After this one, though, it’s clear that McMurtry was growing, and he just might make a name for himself (which, of course, he did).

Written in 1963, the setting is somewhere in rural America.  A common setting for McMurtry.  Where exactly?  I think somewhere in Texas (again, common).  When?  Well, that was a little harder to figure out. In fact, I’m not entirely sure where “Cheyenne” even fits in here.  I’m sure a Google search would easily remedy such an inquiry, but to be truthful, it doesn’t matter.  This was a nice read that deals with ordinary people where a lot never happens.  This is typical when you live in such an environment.  Yet the 3 characters that the story revolve around, have enough thoughts and introspection that the reader is never bored.  Never excited, maybe, but I enjoyed the bulk of the book.

The 3 young people (Late teens? Early twenties?) are Gideon Fry, Johnny McCloud, and Molly Taylor. I think I was finally able deduce that the story began sometime around the 1920s or 1930s.  Automobiles are still somewhat of a novelty, and the oil (pronounced “Awl” if you live in rural Texas) business was just starting to move.  This really isn’t a “business” book.  The kids are too young, but they are growing up.  Gideon and Johnny both have a little bit of a “thing” for Molly.  It’s not really that serious, and Molly somewhat responds an equal amount of attraction and indifference to both of these young men.  The two males never really get jealous of each other when Molly may seem to somedays prefer one over the other.   I guess ‘romance’ is never that big of a deal for characters during the particular time and place.  There are too many chores to do around the farm etc. to really ever worry about falling in love.  Oh sure, most people will get married in this particular world, but such an event is more about convenience and breeding than anything else.

What made this book somewhat special is that it’s told in three parts, and each part is narrated by one of our three main characters. In addition, each part jumps forward 20 years, so not only to we get to know each of the protagonists very well, we get to grow old with them and watch the relationships change and evolve as well.  There are other characters within the pages of course (Gideon’s father is present a lot in the first section; and serves as somewhat of an ‘anchor’ for the young inexperienced neophytes) but the richness is watching the relationships of our three main characters.

As mentioned, not an awful lot really happens here.  These are three very normal people with various bouts of luck and bad luck and how they relate to each other; the good, the bad, and the ugly.  This was a very good novel that manages to transport the reader into the pages.  You feel like you’re in rural American 70-80 years ago, and it’s fun to observe the somewhat strange sights and smells.  McMurtry sort of attempted a similar goal with his first novel, but that one could be a struggle to stay focused.  He does much better here.