- “Lonesome Dove” by Larry McMurtry: This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel follows a group of Texas Rangers on a cattle drive from the Rio Grande to Montana in the 19th century.
- “The Son” by Philipp Meyer: Spanning several generations, this epic novel traces the rise and fall of a Texas ranching and oil dynasty, providing a sweeping portrait of the state’s history.
- “No Country for Old Men” by Cormac McCarthy: Set in the borderlands of West Texas, this gripping novel tells the story of a drug deal gone wrong and the sheriff who tries to unravel the ensuing chaos.
- “The Last Picture Show” by Larry McMurtry: Set in a small, dying Texas town in the 1950s, this coming-of-age novel explores the lives of a group of teenagers grappling with the challenges of adolescence.
- “Bless Me, Ultima” by Rudolfo Anaya: While not exclusively set in Texas, this magical realist novel takes place in a New Mexican village near the Texas border, exploring themes of cultural identity and spirituality.
- “Friday Night Lights” by H.G. Bissinger: Based on true events, this nonfiction book delves into the soccer-obsessed culture of a small Texas town and the pressures faced by high school athletes.
- “Gone to Texas” by Forrest Carter: This historical novel tells the story of Josey Wales, a Confederate soldier-turned-outlaw, as he roams the Texas frontier in the aftermath of the Civil War.
- “The Border Trilogy” by Cormac McCarthy (comprised of “All the Pretty Horses,” “The Crossing,” and “Cities of the Plain”): Although parts of this trilogy take place in Mexico, it begins and concludes in Texas, exploring themes of love, loss, and human connection against the backdrop of the Texan landscape.
- “Terms of Endearment” by Larry McMurtry: This novel, later adapted into a successful film, follows a mother and daughter in Houston, Texas, and explores their complex relationship over the course of several decades.
- “The Killer Inside Me” by Jim Thompson: Set in a small West Texas town, this noir crime novel delves into the mind of a small-town deputy sheriff who hides a sociopathic nature beneath his friendly exterior.
WANDERLIST: Ten famous novels set in Texas
0
Share.
