Book excerpt: An unforgettable addition to his widely acclaimed body of work, The Late Child is Larry McMurtry's tender, funny, and poignant sequel to The Desert Rose—McMurtry delivers another rich cast of characters and a heartfelt, bittersweet story that unfolds on the open road, in one woman's search for strength, understanding, and hope. Harmony is the optimistic, resilient Las Vegas ex-showgirl who returns home one day to the news that her beloved daughter, Pepper, has died of AIDS. In an effort to come to grips with her loss, she decides she must travel to New York City, where her daughter had been living, to understand Pepper's life leading up to her death. She manages to stay afloat, buoyed by her precocious five-year-old son, Eddie, and her two outspoken sisters as they set forth on a journey across the country, seeking answers about her daughter's death. From Nevada to New York to Oklahoma, the eccentrics Harmony and her entourage meet nudge them closer to an inner peace with life, and a way to find hope in the future. Alive with inventive storytelling and honest emotion, The Late Child is a warm, enriching experience that celebrates the unique relationship between mother and child.