Larry McMurtry is best known for his award-winning fiction including such as
In recent years, the winner of the Pulitzer Prize has focused on writing two non-fiction memoirs. Walter Benjamin at the Dairy Queen looks at the author's ranching background and ultimate love for books. Roads details several cross-country car trips McMurtry took in 1999.
After the completion of Roads, McMurtry set off again, this time to the South Pacific. His mother is close to death back home, but the author feels a pressing need to travel. He heads to Tahiti in an attempt to search for and define paradise. His experiences on this trip are reflected in this slim memoir.
Paradise is divided into two distinct sections. The first portion examines the 43-year marriage and ultimate separation of Larry McMurtry's parents.
The author briefly gives his perspective on his parents' union and why they stayed together as long as they did. He also details two key moments that stand out in his life, one tied to each parent.
Also included in this section are McMurtry's impressions of Tahiti and its more famous residents. A lot of time is devoted to Gaugin: his young lovers, his art and his interpretation of paradise.
The second portion of the book focuses on McMurtry's trip. He has booked passage on a combination freighter/rustic cruise ship that takes tourists and cargo to remote islands.
The author introduces the rest of the passengers as a cast of characters. He makes fun of some and admires others, but seems to keep his distance from all of them.
When the boat docks at each island, the tourists buy little trinkets from the natives and gravitate toward any landmark of significance. McMurtry compares these scenes to those one might find on a modern-day Indian reservation. He seems to be annoyed by the typical tourists and their ignorance, yet he is on the same boat, seeing the same sights.
McMurtry's vivid descriptions of the physical landscape have always been admirable, especially when he writes of the Texas landscape. His portrait of island beauty is just as remarkable. The book jacket says this is an "inviting travel book," yet this is the only section that fits the bill. The author's poetic words leave no need for pictures.
In true form, there's some humor in Paradise as well. Most of the amusing observations are subtle, though the author does devote a few pages to "the steak incident" where he ate a dinner reserved for another passenger. It's fun to read McMurtry's interpretation of the ensuing events.
I was hoping that after I described the major points of Paradise here, I'd come to understand the purpose of the book. No such luck.
I am aware that the author has come to Tahiti to reflect on his parents' marriage. However, in the second half of the book, the author instead focuses on his trip. Most of his observations are negative.
With all due respect, I feel McMurtry complains a lot in both Walter Benjamin at the Dairy Queen and Roads. He reminds me of a grumpy old man who is never happy with the service at the diner, yet he goes back every time. Once he gets on the boat, he complains some more in Paradise.
I enjoyed reading McMurtry's words, but couldn't get the message. Paradise just seemed like random thoughts to me. This book was published because Mr. Lonesome Dove wrote it. Period.
I've nothing but respect for this author. However, I cannot recommend Paradise nor justify the horrendous hardcover price. Twenty-four U.S. dollars is outrageous for 159 pages of random thoughts. Thank goodness for the public library.
Skip Paradise and check out Larry McMurtry's other works instead. His fiction will give you an astounding glimpse into Texas as well as the author himself without complaint.
