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Folly and Glory: A Novel Audiobook
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(3.03) - 748 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
In this brilliant saga—the final volume of The Berrybender Narratives and an epic in its own right—Larry McMurtry lives up to his reputation for delivering novels with “wit, grace, and more than a hint of what might be called muscular nostalgia, fit together to create a panoramic portrait of the American West” (The New York Times Book Review).
As this finale opens, Tasmin and her family are under irksome, though comfortable, arrest in Mexican Santa Fe. Her father, the eccentric Lord Berrybender, is planning to head for Texas with his whole family and his retainers, English, American, and Native American. Tasmin, who would once have followed her husband, Jim Snow, anywhere, is no longer even sure she likes him, or knows where to go to next. Neither does anyone else—even Captain Clark, of Lewis and Clark fame, is puzzled by the great changes sweeping over the West, replacing Native Americans and buffalo with towns and farms.
In the meantime, Jim Snow, accompanied by Kit Carson, journeys to New Orleans, where he meets up with a muscular giant named Juppy, who turns out to be one of Lord Berrybender’s many illegitimate offspring, and in whose company they make their way back to Santa Fe. But even they are unable to prevent the Mexicans from carrying the Berrybender family on a long and terrible journey across the desert to Vera Cruz.
Starving, dying of thirst, and in constant, bloody battle with slavers pursuing them, the Berrybenders finally make their way to civilization—if New Orleans of the time can be called that—where Jim Snow has to choose between Tasmin and the great American plains, on which he has lived all his life in freedom, and where, after all her adventures, Tasmin must finally decide where her future lies.
With a cast of characters that includes almost every major real-life figure of the West, Folly and Glory is a novel that represents the culmination of a great and unique four-volume saga of the early days of the West; it is one of Larry McMurtry’s finest achievements.
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"This was the fourth part of a series McMurtry wrote about the adventures of a British family who take a trip across the American West in the 1830s. I read it very quickly, because I got so involved in the storyline. It is written with a lot of humor. I enjoyed all four books immensely. I recommend them for anyone who likes a good Western."
— Melodee (4 out of 5 stars)
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“Like a cross between John Ford and Quentin Tarantino: a genre-bending Western farce that follows the misadventures and couplings of a sprawling English family and its hangers-on as it makes its roundabout way across the West in the 1830s.”
— New York Times -
“In this tale of the exploration and exploitation of the West, McMurtry is telling us something about our checkered past—and perhaps about our uncertain present.”
— People
Folly and Glory Listener Reviews
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" British family in New Mexico during the settling of the west? What could go wrong? "
— LindaD, 2/18/2014 -
" Enjoyable- I listened to this series on audio. The narrator was excellent and the story rather compelling. I like the way McMurtry weaves history into his stories. Definitely different from all notions I have of the westerns genre. "
— Cindee, 2/14/2014 -
" a great wild west story about the Berrybender family "
— Kellie, 1/29/2014 -
" This is the final part of the series and it was a great series to read. "
— Randylee, 1/26/2014 -
" Last of the Berrybender narratives "
— Shanyn, 1/19/2014 -
" Love his books...2006 "
— Sue, 12/21/2013 -
" One of the BEST SERIES I have every read!! "
— TOTO, 12/19/2013 -
" Poignant conclusion to fascinating series. This series was so unusual, but so good. Loved the realistic portrayal of STRONG female characters. Enjoyed the historical characters, particularly the Texans. "
— Eric, 9/7/2013 -
" Good end to the series. "
— Dale, 9/5/2013 -
" Disappointing 4th book in the Berrybender series. Too sad and too violent. "
— Lynne, 8/8/2013 -
" One of Larry McMurtry's best series. Tales of a English family coming to the wild west with their ideals. "
— Kevin, 7/11/2013 -
" A family under house arrest must travel from Texas to New Mexico. Many events along the way, including the Alamo. Subplots add interest. Historical fiction. "
— Diane, 3/1/2013 -
" I was so sad to let the Barrybender's go after this final book in the series. I wanted to be part of their lives longer. "
— Chrissy, 2/14/2013 -
" Fourth and final book in the Berrybender series. Many die, yet life goes on. The Sin Killer, Jim Snow, does battle and loses himself and his wife Tasmin in the process. Lord Berrybender dies in the Alamo. McMurtry again asks, "What does it all mean?" and again provides no answer, as it should be. "
— Paul, 1/17/2013 -
" For some unknown reason, I read this whole series, even though it really isn't good at all. My lifelong devotion to Larry McMurtry has been sorely tested in recent years. "
— Landismom, 10/31/2012 -
" great book..love the berrybenders "
— Tara, 8/14/2011 -
" There was more to this final volume in the Berrybender Narratives, but I'll never know. The Pomp Charbonneau fiasco, coupled with the "Real Housewives of Santa Fe" plot drove me to set this book aside at p.104. There are other, MUCH better books to read. Michael Connelly, here I come. "
— Marty, 8/7/2011 -
" The fitting ending to a wonderful epic, as the characters and plot come full circle. Great stuff, will keep you reading into the wee hours. "
— Rick, 7/15/2011 -
" Wow, what a finish! "
— Daniel, 7/7/2010 -
" Even though Iw as tiring of these characters and the story, I still had to read it. Kind of glad he was wrapping this one up. "
— Jim, 4/2/2010 -
" A typical McMurty story and last of the series makes for light reading. "
— Jerome, 11/25/2008 -
" It is quite amazing that anyone survived that period in American history. It seemed like their life experiences in 4 years would be the equivalent of a full lifetime in present day. "
— Cristine, 9/5/2008 -
" All the Berrybender books are great. Exploring the frontier, hot sex in the wild, and Larry's always present great sense of humor. Read all his books. Now! "
— Laura, 7/15/2008 -
" The last of a great series. I was sad to see this adventures wrap up. Read it here before it becomes a blockbuster movie. "
— Matthew, 3/24/2008 -
" It's McMurtry. What else is there to say. Good read. I found it an overly easy read...just took about a week to finish it. "
— A.J.K., 2/1/2008 -
" It made me cry.... It was good though. I think if he kept going with the series, i'd keep going with him. :-) "
— Val, 11/4/2007 -
" The last of the Berrybender saga "
— Dan, 9/9/2007 -
" Very sad. The best book of the series "
— Belsherj, 3/2/2007
About Larry McMurtry
Larry McMurtry (1936–2021) was an award-winning novelist, essayist, screenwriter, and avid book collector. His novels include The Last Picture Show, Terms of Endearment, and Lonesome Dove, for which he won the Pulitzer Prize. He wrote more than thirty screenplays, including the coauthorship of Brokeback Mountain, for which he received an Academy Award.
About Alfred Molina
Alfred Molina is an actor and winner of numerous Earphones Awards for audiobook narration. His films include Spiderman II, Frida, Magnolia, Chocolat, Boogie Nights, The Perez Family, Maverick, Enchanted April, Not Without My Daughter, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Prick Up Your Ears. He has appeared extensively on British and American television, including the TV series Bram & Alice and Ladies’ Man. He received a Tony Award nomination, a Drama Desk Award, and an Outer Critics Circle Award for his performance in Art on Broadway. He also performed on Broadway in Molly Sweeney and in Speed the Plow for the National Theatre in London.