- Paperback: 320 pages
- Publisher: Scribner; New edition edition (4 Aug 2003)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0743239733
- ISBN-13: 978-0743239738
- Product Dimensions: 19.4 x 12.8 x 2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 260,893 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Midnight Cowboy (RosettaBooks Into Film Series)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
The classic American novel that was the source for the Oscar-winning film starring Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight, now back in print from Scribner. Joe Buck, a good-looking, naively charming Texas 'cowboy' who's convinced that he's the salvation of many love-starved New York women, makes his way to the Big Apple to seek his fortune. Trouble is, his well-to-do clientele never materialises and the only wealth he finds is in the friendship of Ratso Rizzo, a scrounging, sleazy, small-time con man with big dreams. Living on the tattered fringe of society, these two outcasts develop an unlikely bond - one that transcends their broken dreams and get-rich-quick schemes and makes MIDNIGHT COWBOY that rarest of things...every bit as moving now as it was when it was first published. MIDNIGHT COWBOY is the powerful and unforgettable novel of the compelling need of human beings for one another.
About the Author
James Leo Herlihy was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1927. His first novel ALL FALL DOWN was published in 1960, and 1965 saw the appearance of MIDNIGHT COWBOY. Herlihy's lasting fame is based on the popularity of the book and the movie that was based on the novel. He died in 1993.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is even better. We get far more insight into Joe Buck and his life. Just read it - it's amazing
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
You'll know the film. Herlihy's book is divided into three parts and the film focuses on the last two without missing much. If you liked it, you'll like the book; if you didn't you won't. But is 'Midnight Cowboy' the cult read that this reprint claimed?
It's lean and nicely judged but stylistically conventional. The film has more emotional impact but its power would be nothing without the observational quality of the book. It's sympathetic, pacey and not at all preachy; yet remains a notable social document that continues to impress more than 50 years after publication. But what's it about?
'Indignation' suggests one blurb reviewer. 'Sex' claims the Guardian. Well, there is a lot of sex (it's handled very well... although maybe the gay sex is a bit coy); but it's a book that deals in American icons (Cowboys, Businessmen, Whores, Mexicans, Italians) whose real theme is loneliness.
The kandy-coloured freneticism of the American economy in the 60's, the book suggests, prompted a crippling loneliness and a sense of inadequacy that 'in extremis' collapsed into masochism. The surprise is that its light touch message is surprisingly conservative. Joe Buck's glimpse of happiness is a 50's ideal of modest work, sexually active family life and weekend leisure. Herlihy died in 1993. Who knows what he made of the 80's; or would have thought about the 20-year, brakeless bob sleigh ride that followed them?
It's lean and nicely judged but stylistically conventional. The film has more emotional impact but its power would be nothing without the observational quality of the book. It's sympathetic, pacey and not at all preachy; yet remains a notable social document that continues to impress more than 50 years after publication. But what's it about?
'Indignation' suggests one blurb reviewer. 'Sex' claims the Guardian. Well, there is a lot of sex (it's handled very well... although maybe the gay sex is a bit coy); but it's a book that deals in American icons (Cowboys, Businessmen, Whores, Mexicans, Italians) whose real theme is loneliness.
The kandy-coloured freneticism of the American economy in the 60's, the book suggests, prompted a crippling loneliness and a sense of inadequacy that 'in extremis' collapsed into masochism. The surprise is that its light touch message is surprisingly conservative. Joe Buck's glimpse of happiness is a 50's ideal of modest work, sexually active family life and weekend leisure. Herlihy died in 1993. Who knows what he made of the 80's; or would have thought about the 20-year, brakeless bob sleigh ride that followed them?
Format:Paperback
Anyone who enjoyed the classic 1969 movie should appreciate the novel.Intelligently written the author paints a vivid picture of Joe Buck(Jon Voight) and Ratzo Risso's (Dustin Hoffman)respective characters.The movie incidently stays pretty faithful to the novel only omitting one early episode involving Joe Buck before he makes the decision to travel to New York and his fateful encounter with Ratzo Risso!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Midnight Cowboy
I had decided to go for something different and maybe a 'cult' classic and Midnight Cowboy because it sounded quite different from what I would normally read, I have never seen the... Read more
Published on 30 Jan 2009 by Simon Savidge Reads
Midnight Cowboy
I read this years ago and lost my original copy, it's an excellent story and needs to be read before you see the film which I also loved. Read more
Published on 30 Jan 2009 by Mrs. A. Blackwell
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