Book Review

Roads

Roads by Larry McMurtry, published by simon and schuster

Reviewed by Anne Dingus

July 2000

If time, money, or other constraints prevent you from answering the call of the open road this summer, you can still take a long trip—at least vicariously—with Larry McMurtry. Roads, his latest effort, is a look at America's highways, and in a way, a larger-scale version of In a Narrow Grave, the Texas travelogue that made McMurtry a name 32 years ago. In 1968 the feisty author found the state's hidebound habitude mighty irksome; today, older and wiser, he displays a self-deprecating and reflective tone toward the country's idiosyncrasies. McMurtry drove part or all of 25 highways to research Roads, and almost anything can spark a brief but appealing discourse: a rack of Pam Grier blaxploitation films at a truck stop in Minnesota, a sign urging passersby to "Sell Your Babies" in California. Many lines resonate with Texans and other fans of long-distance travel—fast-food outlets, for example, appear "squatting vulturishly beside the road." And inevitably a little philosophizing sneaks in too: Truckers, he opines, "may be the last free men left, the true cowboys of the road."

E-mail

Password

Remember me

Forgot your password?

X (close)

Registering gets you access to online content, allows you to comment on stories, add your own reviews of restaurants and events, and join in the discussions in our community areas such as the Recipe Swap and other forums.

In addition, current TEXAS MONTHLY magazine subscribers will get access to the feature stories from the two most recent issues. If you are a current subscriber, please enter your name and address exactly as it appears on your mailing label (except zip, 5 digits only). Not a subscriber? Subscribe online now.

E-mail

Re-enter your E-mail address

Choose a password

Re-enter your password

Name

  
 

Address

Address 2

City

State

Zip (5 digits only)

Country

What year were you born?

Are you...

Male Female

Remember me

X (close)