The Last Picture Show - Larry McMurtry --- Brina Fox

          The Last Picture Show by Larry McMurtry is about a friendship not only between two people but between a whole town. The main character’s name is Sonny Crawford and he comes from the town of Thalia. Like many small towns this town is based on Friday night football games and after that they all gather at the pool hall, word always travels fast and everybody knows everybody. Though everyone knew Sonny he didn't feel like he belonged, and often felt like he was out of place. He never shared these thoughts or feelings with anybody, not even his best friend Duane Jackson. Duane and Sonny share a room in the rooming house and a pick up. Duane is dating the richest girl in town, Jacy Farrow whom Sonny has had a crush on ever since he laid eyes on her. Duane is madly in love and can’t wait to marry Jacy someday. Sonny is described as a sensitive and caring guy but he has always wanted to be more like Duane who is popular and handsome. The boys are also very close to Sam the Lion who owns the pool hall and the café. Sam also took care of a mentally retarded boy named Billy, Billy loved to sweep the town and went missing for hours only to be found sweeping the other side of town. Sonny looked up to Sam as and thought of him as a great example of what he wanted to be when he was older. When basketball season starts Sonny finds himself in an affair with the coach’s wife after the coach asked for him to take his wife to the doctor. Sonny came to her house often and Ruth (coach’s wife) began to fall in love with Sonny. Ruth was not treated with love by her husband, she got married to the wrong man and her religion is keeping her in the marriage. After Duane and Jacy broke up he found no reason to stay in Thalia and left for boot camp. Jacy then found interest in Sonny. Jacy enjoyed attention much like her mother; she would do anything for the town to recognize her name as if being wealthy wasn't enough. This left Ruth alone again and heartbroken again. At first it seems that this book has nothing to do with a picture show, but every Saturday many people go to the picture show, it's been a tradition for the longest time it was Billy's favorite thing. One day it had to be shut down, the picture show business just wasn't bringing in enough money. This devastated Billy and he was never the same without the picture show. There are many surprises in this book that keep you wondering what might happen next. From deaths to new affairs there is no dull moment in this novel. I really enjoyed reading this because it always kept me interested and waiting for the next surprise. Even though this book is very graphic in the sexual sense, it’s not a terrible book and very easy to enjoy, in a not so perverted way. I do recommend this to anyone who likes a drama filled plot.