Career
In 1960, American novelist, Wallace Stegner, taught McMurtry, along with other authors like Robert Stone, Ken Kesey, and Gordon Lish, the art of writing fiction, at the 'Stanford University'.
The following year, he published his first book, 'Horseman, Pass By', a novel that describes how it is to live on a farm.
The book was later adapted into the movie Hud, in 1963, featuring Paul Newman and Patricia Neal.
In 1963, McMurtry penned the novel, 'Leaving Cheyenne', which was adapted for the movie, 'Lovin' Molly', which was shot much later.
He received a 'Guggenheim Fellowship' the next year, in 1964, for his contribution to literature. During the same time, the eminent novelist taught English, at the 'Rice University'.
In 1966, the prolific writer published the novel, 'The Last Picture Show', which was later made into a movie with the same title. The movie starred Timothy Bottoms and Jeff Bridges in the roles of Sonny Crawford and Duane Jackson.
From 1968-74, he published fiction and non-fiction works, like 'In A Narrow Grave: Essays on Texas', 'Moving On', 'All My Friends Are Going To Be Strangers', and 'It's Always We Rambled'.
During the same time, in 1970, he started a bookshop called Booked Up with two partners.
In 1975, he wrote the novel, 'Terms of Endearment', which like his other works, formed the basis of a movie starring Shirley MacLaine, and Jack Nicholson, having the same name.
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During 1978-83, the celebrated author brought rolled out works like Somebody's Darling, The Desert Rose, and Cadillac Jack, all of them being well-received by readers and reviewers.
Two years later, in 1985, Larry released the novel Lonesome Dove. The book was adapted in to a television series with the same title. The subsequent novels in the same series were also adpated in three more miniseries.
In 1987, he penned the novel, Texasville, which was turned into a film, as a sequel to The Last Picture Show. The following year, the prolific writer inaugurated another branch of his bookstore Booked Up, in his hometown.
From 1989-90, the renowned novelist also published the books, Some Can Whistle and Buffalo Girls. The latter was made into a TV programme with same title. Larry McMurtry also wrote the script for a television film titled Montana.
In 1992, he wrote 'The Evening Star', which was once again made into a movie. The same year, he penned the screenplay for a movie, 'Falling from Grace', with American rockstar John Mellencamp in the lead.
Throughout the remaining decade, he wrote novels like 'Streets of Laredo', 'Dead Man's Walk', 'Comanche Moon', 'Walter Benjamin at the Dairy Queen: Reflections on Sixty and Beyond', and 'Duane's Depressed'.
The American writer also wrote two biographies, 'Crazy Horse: A Life', and 'Pretty Boy Floyd', of which the latter, based on gangster Charles Floyd's life, has elements of fiction in it.
The New York Review Books released a book of essays, Sacagawea's Nickname, written by Larry McMurtry in 2001. The book contained, not just essays but also reviews of other books, and several articles.
During the 2002-04, he wrote the novels, Sin Killer, The Wandering Hill, By Sorrow's River, and Folly and Glory.
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In 2005, McMurtry and Diana Ossana wrote the screenplay for an American film by Ang Lee, 'Brokeback Mountain'.
From 2007-2014, he published several works of fiction like When the Light Goes, Books: A Memoir, Rhino Ranch: A Novel, Custer, and The Last Kind Words Saloon. McMurtry decided to downsize and sell off the greater portion of his inventory in early 2021. On 10 and 11 August the auction was conducted that was billed as The Last Booksale.
Facts About Larry McMurtry
Larry McMurtry won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for his work on the film "Brokeback Mountain."
McMurtry was a talented antiquarian bookseller and owned a bookstore in his hometown of Archer City, Texas.
He was known for his love of writing while seated in a specific chair that he believed brought him good luck and inspiration.
In addition to his prolific writing career, McMurtry was also a passionate collector of Western art and artifacts.
