Thomas McGuane's Reading List

"A Confederate soldier's intimately detailed reminiscence of the agony and unspeakable horror of war."

"The craziest protagonist in literature."

"Delightfully pugnacious contempt for plot and human interest."

"Nothing better on addiction."

"The depth of humanity Kosztolányi brings to the sorrowful life of Skylark and her adoring parents is magical, and rewards anyone who overcomes its modest premise."

"Reminiscent of Brian Moore's The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne, also superb."

"A vast land, lightly touched by Europeans, at a time before many of its animals and most of its Indigenous people were extinct. These animals and people live again in its pages."

"I recommended Black Elk Speaks to all of my children. I can't promise they read it but some did. Essential reading in this part of the world."

"The good Nabokov of Pnin and Speak, Memory appeals to me more."

"There are many, but let's start with the two protagonists of L.P. Hartley's Eustace and Hilda."