Mr. Texas

A Novel

By: Lawrence Wright

Narrated by: Steven Weber, Lawrence Wright

AN NPR BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR • From the Pulitzer Prize winner and best-selling author, a hilarious, sharply drawn send-up of local politics • A novel about a dark-horse candidate who risks his personal happiness for a career in the Texas House of Representatives • "Required reading in these politically turbulent times.”—Susan Orlean, author of On Animals

“A rollicking satire . . ."— Paul Begala, The New York Times Book Review

Sonny Lamb is an affable, if floundering, rancher with the unfortunate habit of becoming a punchline in his Texas hometown. Most recently, to everyone’s headshaking amusement, he bought his own bull at an auction. But when a fire breaks out at a neighbor’s farm, Sonny makes headlines in another way: not waiting for help, he bolts to the farm where his heroic actions make the evening news.

Almost immediately, and seemingly out of nowhere, a handsomely dressed lobbyist from Austin arrives at his ranch door and asks if he’d like to run for his West Texas district’s seat in the state legislature. Though Sonny has zero experience and doesn’t consider himself political at all, the fate of his ranch—and perhaps his marriage to the lovely “cowgirl” Lola—hangs in the balance. With seemingly no other choice, Sonny decides to throw his hat in the ring.

As he navigates life in politics—from running a campaign to negotiating in the capitol—Sonny must learn the ropes, weighing his own ethics and environmental concerns against the pressures of veteran politicians, savvy lobbyists, and his own party. In tracing Sonny’s attempt to balance his marriage and morality with an increasingly volatile professional life, Lawrence Wright has crafted an irresistibly funny and clever roller-coaster ride about one man’s pursuit of goodness in the Lonestar State.

©2023 Lawrence Wright (P)2023 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"A rollicking satire . . . A fiery sample of the chili of Texas politics: equal parts tragedy, comedy and farce . . . The reader has to hold onto the rigging because this bronco spins, bucks, kicks and bites . . . I actually had to put the book down. I was laughing so hard my dog Gus was worried about me . . . As with all good Texas tales, there’s a showdown, but in Wright’s version the lines are as muddy and winding as the Brazos River. In fact, this is not really a morality tale. It’s a character study, cleverly hidden within a raucous, fast-paced, hilarious sendup.”—Paul Begala, The New York Times Book Review

“Hilariously captures the unbridled absurdity that is a session of the Texas Legislature . . . Wright has a perfect feel for Texas landscapes and characters, for dialects and foibles . . . Mr. Texas is billed as a comic novel, and it is undoubtedly funny. But there’s a wistfulness about it, too. Wright leaves open the possibility that a group of politicians—guided by nothing more than good faith and their love of the Lone Star State—might find a way past partisan rancor and cynicism.”—Shawna Seed, Dallas Morning News

“Original and funny . . . Tapping into his prodigious knowledge of and affection for the state of Texas, Wright gives us a novel about politics and people . . . Wonderful characters, Texas-sized helpings of wit and insight, and, believe it or not, a vision of post-partisan redemption.”—Kirkus

Content/storyline

A great listen, funny, insightful and well written. The reading was terrific and very comical. I really enjoyed the journey.

Delightful

Wonderful satire. Hope we see more of Sonny. Mr Weber did a fine job, overall, but women’s voices should be done by women.

Funny and Informative

Mr. Texas mixes real and fictional characters to paint a picture of the current Texas legislature. Many laugh out loud moments, while also giving a realistic view into the inner workings of the TX House. Sonny Lamb is the imperfectly perfect candidate, and it’s so easy to root for him even when he’s being a complete dumbass. Cannot recommend enough!

Mr Texas

Loved!!!
So on target! Described Texas geography to the T!
As a life long Texas I am so proud of this rendition of our GREAT STATE!

The characters an who they represent.

Voices of the women were not different enough from the men or other women in the story.

Incredible satire that explains much of today’s political environment

Although it is i tended as a satire about Texas politics, it seems more a cautionary tale about America. Wright does an incredible job of untangling the web of political corruption, lobbying influences and power brokers. Scary clear.
This novel needs to be resurrected as a mini-series.

Great Political Theatre

The insights into the sausage production of politics was masterful. Thought provoking and captivating was the depiction of Big Bob’s cognitive dissonance and his final reconciliation. Unfortunately, Sonny’s character took on a progressive manifesto in the final chapters. Better to have let the readers come to their own political conclusions.

Had Its Moments

The book tried to create a sympathetic narrative for the Leftist perspective, but in doing so it failed to genuinely convey the motivations and concerns of conservatives.

Texas Politics can be fun

David Axelrod & Michael Murphy host an excellent politics podcast. One a Democrat and one a Republican. They enthusiastically recommended this novel by Larry Wright. That set a high bar. The characters are unique and developed to make them relevant. The plot twists are fun but half of them were predictable. In the final chapter the storylines race to a tidy finish and half of those conclusions stretch credibility. People don’t act this way even in Texas. I am a Democrat and Wright’s hero is a Republican rancher. The quest for his Texas ideal embraces more Democratic philosophies than Republican and that made me feel good all over it’s just not realistic.

Great txLege fiction

I would listen to this again. I really enjoy the Texas legislature theme. I wish there were more books like this.