Comments on: Larry McMurtry Hates Giving Interviews, Dislikes His Own Books

By: Ed Bark

Ed Bark — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 05:17:33 +0000

It’s still kind of a shame to be so damned joyless. And Bill, when you’re promoting your new and no doubt very worthy book on a WWII veteran, I’ll bet you’ll be lots more accommodating. Just a guess, though. Happy holidays everyone!

By: James Michael Starr

James Michael Starr — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 22:00:16 +0000

Excruciating? All I heard was a writer talking openly and honestly about his work, and probably from a position of not needing to impress anybody anymore. Maybe our ears have become so attuned to book-touring writers being so chirped up about their own books that one who doesn’t care whether he sells you or not sounds grumpy. As an artist, I identified very much with what I believe is McMurtrey’s main point: that for an artist doing honest work, it’s more about the producing than it is about the product. You may love his work, but that doesn’t mean he has to.

By: Bill Marvel

Bill Marvel — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 21:26:33 +0000

Where is it written that authors have to be cheerful and bubbly interview subjects, huh? Who says he has to be a pleasant drinking companion or a genial guest or even a nice guy? He’s a writer, for heaven’s sakes. Read his books, if you like them. Otherwise get the hell out of the eay.

By: For the record...

For the record... — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 19:13:43 +0000

Jackson, James M. is not nearly as unfriendly as M. pere seems to be. Taciturn? Yes. Unfriendly? Not at all. Self-deprecating about his own work? No, although he has been known to “mail it in” in repeated performances of his older material, understandably. James, ironically known as “Mike” to friends, is just a very quiet fellow, seems lost in his own thoughts sometimes, but converses well when engaged. There must have been some unusual family dynamics in the McM. home, for sure.

By: VM

VM — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 18:10:32 +0000

Met him at some Fair Park function years ago, yes, very terse and unfriendly. However last year when he spoke at the Nasher he was just the opposite. Engaging, funny(ish), candid, nothing like his reputation.

By: Jackson

Jackson — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:49:37 +0000

McMurtry has always been a first class jerk. The guy who was famously running around Texas impersonating him in bars and restaurants about 10-15 years ago was MUCH more pleasant to be around.

More fake McMurtry, please!

By the way, Larry’s son, the singer-songwriter James McMurtry, is just like his old man.

By: Ed Bark

Ed Bark — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 16:59:15 +0000

Also from personal experience, he really is a famously sour guy. A shame. “Terse and not terribly friendly” pretty much describes his persona on way too many occasions.