Nice copy of McMurtry's Second Novel
Leaving Cheyenne
Publication: New York: Harper & Row, 1962. First Edition.
Notes: McMurtry's second novel. Filmed by Sidney Lumet as Lovin' Molly in 1974.
The book came out while the hit movie Hud was still in the theaters, so the book got a lot more attention than most second novels are accorded. But the book was controversial in McMurtry's native north Texas. The nearest big city to McMurtry's hometown of Archer City was Wichita Falls. The paper there wrote (Sept. 22, 1963), "The book editor won't be running a review of Leaving Cheyenne for every reviewer to whom the book was offered (men at that, not a Mrs. Grundy in the lot) has backed away from it after a hasty reading. For again the author relies heavily upon four-letter words and sexual intimacies to carry his story along. Mr. McMurtry is letting his youth show, for the young man has talent (though the new book is not well-written)..."
This book, along with Horseman, Pass By, McMurtry's first, are on critic A. C. Greene's list of the 50 best Texas books.
Edition + Condition: First edition (stated). A near fine copy in the second state jacket, price-clipped at the top with the remnants of a price-sticker still visible. The price of the book was originally $4.50, but the publisher increased it at the last minute, and all reviews of the book cite the $4.95 price. It's likely that there are copies with unadulterated $4.50 prices, but they are very scarce.
The jacket has faded somewhat at the spine, but is otherwise near fine. This copy was signed by McMurtry at a much later date. From the collection of Tom Garner.
Item No: #364557
Price: $600