Terms of Endearment: A Centennial Read

This month’s Centennial Book Club selection is Terms of Endearment by, Larry McMurty.  The Centennial Book Club meets at 6:00 p.m. in Hotel Tavern on August 25 to discuss the novel and in Ashe Library at 2:00 p.m. on August 29 to view the film version of McMurty’s book.   

I have been a fan of McMurty since his novel LonesomeDove was made into a TV mini-series.  After watching that epic western, I immediately went to the library and read the book as well as several other McMurty novels.  His novels are either set in the days of Old West or contemporary Texas.  His characters are certainly memorable, as you may know if you’ve ever read any of his novels or seen movies based on his work.    

Terms of Endearment takes place in modern Houston, TX and though there are both male and female leads, women characters are highlighted in this book.   In the books’ preface McMurty states, “Though often praised for my insights into women, I’m still far from sure that I know what women are like; but if my hunches are anywhere near accurate, and I’m not idealizing her, then Emma is what women are at their best.”  Aurora is the widowed mother of newly married and pregnant Emma, and as the story begins they are having a conversation about marriage.  Right away I was intrigued by McMurty’s feminine portrayal and perception.  Aurora is “larger than life” with several men who wish to win her heart.  Emma is coming to terms with her life as wife and mother.  The two have an ongoing love/hate relationship, and while reading I was either laughing hysterically or reaching for a box of Kleenex.   Aurora’s housekeeper, Rosie, also plays a lead role and her life adds another perspective as she deals with an unfaithful husband.  

In considering the title one might first think of pet names, such as “baby,”  “honey,” “dear,” or even “sweet-pea.”   In fact the title’s phrase only appears once near the story’s end and dialogue never seemed to include excessive flattery.   This observation got me thinking more about terms as in the basis of a condition, or taking a position.   What exactly were Aurora’s terms when giving her suitors an ultimatum, or Emma and Rosie’s terms when dealing with their husbands?  These strong females dealt with a lot of craziness and even though there were times they felt beaten down by the men in their lives, they always ended up with set limits to their affections.   I’m sure there will be a lively discussion when we meet to analyze this book. 

 

Larry McMurty’s novels are often follow-ups to each other and carry the characters over from one stage of life to another.  That said, one does not need to read his novels in order, but in fair warning to readers you are likely to get hooked (in a good way) and want to seek out other  McMurty works.  I am already looking into going back to a previous time in Emma’s life, before her marriage,  with McMurty’s novel All My Friends are Going to be Strangers.