Terms of Endearment

Larry McMurtry

7/8/1998

There was a long, contemplative silence when I closed this book. I had seen the movie when it was first out and a couple times since. The book brought out all the nuances I missed in the movie.

This book is about two women, Aurora Greenway and her daughter Emma Horton. Aurora is an opinionated woman who has to control all those around her. Emma is more passive and lets things happen to her. When Aurora criticizes her, Emma largely ignores the comments.

Aurora always has a number of "suitors" around. Men seem to flock to and fall in love with Aurora without her trying. Yet she will have none of them permanently. She keeps stringing all of them along.

Emma's husband is a college professor who cannot understand Emma. Her mother terrifies him. As time goes on, Flap (whose real name is Thomas) becomes more distant from Emma.

This is a book to take in and think about. Aurora Greenway is quite a character. All those around her cannot help but be affected by her. Emma is but a shadow of her mother. Emma fights with Flap and her mother, but quickly resolves those arguments because it is not worth her effort to continue. The personalities of these women are a fascinating study.

It's quite a book.

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