The Last Picture Show (Thalia) Reading Order
Here's the correct Last Picture Show reading order: every book in the right order, where to start, and answers to common questions.
Larry McMurtry's Thalia novels follow Duane Moore and the people of a small, dying North Texas town over more than forty years. They begin with the coming-of-age classic The Last Picture Show, which became Peter Bogdanovich's 1971 film.
The Thalia Novels in Order
- The Last Picture ShowBuy NowAudible1966
- TexasvilleBuy NowAudible1987
- Duane's DepressedBuy NowAudible1999
- When the Light GoesBuy NowAudible2007
- Rhino RanchBuy NowAudible2009
Earlier Thalia Novels (Optional)
McMurtry's first two novels are also set in the Thalia area, but don't feature Duane Moore. Read them any time; Horseman, Pass By was filmed as Hud (1963).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the correct Last Picture Show reading order?
Read The Last Picture Show, Texasville, Duane's Depressed, When the Light Goes, then Rhino Ranch. They follow Duane Moore's life in order.
Is the Last Picture Show series finished?
Yes. Rhino Ranch (2009) is the final Duane Moore novel.
Is Texasville a sequel to The Last Picture Show?
Yes. It picks up Duane Moore and the town of Thalia about thirty years later, in the 1980s oil bust. It was filmed in 1990 with the original cast.
Is the Thalia series connected to Lonesome Dove?
No. Both are by Larry McMurtry and set in Texas, but the series are unrelated.
Do I need to read Horseman, Pass By and Leaving Cheyenne first?
No. They share the Thalia setting but not Duane Moore's story. Start with The Last Picture Show.
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