The Berrybender Narratives - 4: Folly and Glory

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In this final volume of "The Berrybender Narratives," Larry McMurtry showcases his talent for crafting novels rich in wit and nostalgia, offering a sweeping portrayal of the American West. The story begins with Tasmin and her family under a comfortable yet irksome arrest in Mexican Santa Fe, where her eccentric father, Lord Berrybender, plans a journey to Texas with his diverse entourage. Tasmin, once devoted to her husband Jim Snow, now questions her feelings and future. This uncertainty reflects the broader changes affecting the West, as even Captain Clark is bewildered by the transformation of the land. Meanwhile, Jim Snow, accompanied by Kit Carson, travels to New Orleans, where he encounters Juppy, a formidable black giant and one of Lord Berrybender's illegitimate sons. Together, they attempt to return to Santa Fe, but they cannot prevent the Berrybender family from being captured and forced on a harrowing desert journey to Vera Cruz. Enduring starvation, thirst, and violent confrontations with slavers, the Berrybenders eventually reach New Orleans, where Jim must choose between Tasmin and the freedom of the plains. With a rich cast of historical figures, this novel serves as the culmination of a unique four-volume saga, marking one of McMurtry's finest achievements.