Cormac McCarthy

[whistling earth]

I've been reading Cormac McCarthy for about two years now. I first heard about him a long time ago from a teacher, and I eventually picked up some of his stuff. The most recent one I read was The Road, which blew me away completely. Probably the best of his work that I've experienced yet. (Then again, Blood Meridian is still sitting on my bookshelf, and I've heard it's his best work.)

 

Has anyone else read McCarthy? What do you think?

[NightOfJoy]

I read The Road a few weeks ago in 2-3 sittings. I love the apocalyptic stuff......this one did not disappoint. Crazy, bleak and sad story concerning what the future may hold for man and the Earth. I dont know what got into Cormack but wow, he really put together a powerful tale of love. Hold on, I gotta wrap my feet in some plastic and towels before I go looking for 10 year old, dried out apples. Mmmmmmm, thats good!

 

If you liked The Road, you may wanna try World War Z..........another apocalyptic tale about zombies taking over the world. Sounds stupid but I thought it was well done. Its gonna make a great movie. The Road would make a great flick too.

[whistling earth]

Thank you for the recommendation. I'll definitely check out World War Z.

[kaysettes]

I got maybe 3 pages into Blood Meridian and couldn't go on. Is all his writing that choppy?

[ansheld]

I got maybe 3 pages into Blood Meridian and couldn't go on. Is all his writing that choppy?

 

His sentences are short and sweet. He leaves a lot of room for the reader to fill in the gaps. I like that style, but it's not for everyone.

 

I read "All the Pretty Horses" within the last year and that is a great story. He writes violence really well. That's the first one in the Border trilogy (which also includes Blood Meridian), which is supposed to be his strongest material. A couple of his books have already gotten film treatments, but I've never seen any of those.

[jenbobblehead]

i really recommend starting at the beginning rather than the most recent books.

 

The Orchard Keeper, Suttree, Child of God, Outer Dark are some of the best writings ever. I found the Border Triligy to be disappointed, loved Blood Meridian but it took a very long time for me to pick it up... and am undecided on No Country for Old Men which i just finished.

if you don't like Faulkner, you might not like early McCarthy, i don't think, but the early stuff is really unparalleled. I came to McCarthy reading his early stuff first--got Suttree as a gift from my chronically depressed uncle, and then and scooped up every book at the library until i read them all and waited anxiously for every next book and bought it the moment it was released. The Border Trilogy books were good for what they were, but they didn't have the same level of grim that Child of God, or Outer Dark (which have a kind of Of Mice and Men feeling) have. I think i need to read No Country for Old Men again. I feel like i either missed something, or its not just as good as other stuff.

 

Go to the liberry and get them all.

[kaysettes]

Oh man, I love Faulkner. I'll give Blood Meridian another try, I think I also have No Country for Old Men lying around somewhere, that'll go on the list. I've been reading Henry Miller's Quiet Days in Clichy but I can't read it in public, I just feel dirty.

[MeDave]

i loved outter dark...

 

worth noting - the Coen Bro's next movie is an adaptation of No Country for Old men. should be insane.

[WLG867]

Wow The Road and No Country for Old Men were both amazin... Gotta love all the visceral details he pours into his books... What a great American author.