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 made into the movie 'Hud', in the year 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 opened a used bookstore, called 'Booked Up', on a partnership basis.
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 out more 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 the inspiration behind a television series with the same title.
In 1987, he penned the novel, 'Texasville', which was turned into a film, meant as a sequel to 'The Last Picture Show'. The following year, the brilliant writer inaugurated another branch of his bookstore, 'Booked Up', in his hometown of Archer City. The second branch of 'Booked Up' houses a collection of almost 450000 rare used books.
From 1989-90, the renowned novelist also published the books, 'Some Can Whistle' and 'Buffalo Girls'. The latter was made into a TV programme of the same name. 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 this famous author, 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 has published several works of fiction like 'When the Light Goes', Books: A Memoir, Rhino Ranch: A Novel, Custer, and The Last Kind Words Saloon. Also during this time, being unable to compete with the internet boom in the sale of books, he had to close down 'Booked Up', and auction off his collection.
Awards & Achievements
In 1962, the 'Texas Institute of Letters' presented him with the 'Jesse H. Jones Award' for the book, 'Horseman, Pass By'.
Four years later, he was felicitated with the 'Amon G. Carter' award for his non-fictional work, 'Texas: Good Times Gone or Here Again?'.
He once again won the 'Jesse H. Jones Award', in 1967, this time for the book, ‘The Last Picture Show’.
In 1985, Larry was honoured with the 'Pulitzer Prize' for his novel, 'Lonesome Dove'. The next year, he was felicitated with the 'Jesse H. Jones Award' and 'Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award', for the same book.
McMurtry shared with Diana Ossana, the 'Academy Award' and the 'Golden Globe' for their screenplay of the film, 'Brokeback Mountain', in 2006.
