DUANE'S DEPRESSED

DUANE'S DEPRESSED, the last volume of McMurtry's LAST PICTURE SHOW and TEXASVILLE saga, is a marvel. (Don't worry, this novel stands on its own.) Only a curmudgeon would not find him amusing, wistful, insightful, sometimes heartbreakingly sad, often outrageous, always unpredictable and persistently entertaining. At the age of 63, Duane, the hero of this story, decides to park his truck and start walking, to the chagrin of friends and family. He wants to think about his past and contemplate his future. The story is that simple and that complex. Joe Barrett turns in a fine performance. He's that rare reader who doesn't make you cringe when he does female voices. In fact, all of his many characters are clear, relaxed, singular, and none of the Texas accents are too overdone. As Duane, he is especially good, ably capturing the character's laconic moodiness, deadpan humor and wry intelligence. M.D.B. © AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC/JAN 00]