There are some authors I no longer read because their work leaves me with a deep sense of hopelessness. Among these is Larry McMurtry, whose writing and story telling ability are superb, but whose life view seems to be a study in depressing shades of dark brown. I would remind such folk that the infamous box of Pandora was not empty after she opened it. The one thing that remained was hope.Red Earth, White Earth was highly recommended by a friend and is quite well written. However, I could see where it was headed about a third of the way through and lost interest. Having read my work and knowing the gut wrenching depths to which I take my readers, my friend was disappointed in my response but understood my point. Without hope, life is a cruel joke. To me, ending in despair violates the reader.