Rhino Ranch by Larry McMurtry

 I had heard of this author, and had heard good things, so I picked this up at Deseret Industries for a buck! He is a prolific writer, and I was in the mood for what looked like a cowboy book with some humor. I was right! And, interesting characters! Again, I was right! I actually enjoyed the heck out of this story and the characters. 

However...it's also pretty crude. There were F-bombs and a lot of man-sex-talk, and a few very loose women; still, it made the story interesting. Is it true that people are so anxious and willing to copulate??? I wonder. However, the main character, Duane, has some scruples and considers what he's doing. He thinks deeply and has a lot of interests... 

Ulitmately, he's fighting loneliness and loss of purpose. It's interesting to watch him find his way. It's an upbeat and often very funny book, despite the seriousness of Duane's quest. He doesn't take himself too seriously.

I really enjoyed the picture of the small and dusty Texas town that was the setting for the story. I wondered what kept people there. Their dislike of the billionairess who comes to live there was clear, and why she would stay was beyond me. Was it for Duane and other interesting characters? Perhaps. At any rate, it was a book to chuckle over, and wonder who on earth might also enjoy it. It's tricky with the crudeness...