CORMAC MCCARTHY may well be my favorite writer

by Terry 30 Replies latest jw friends

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  truman

  BLOOD MERIDIAN was my first exposure to Cormac McCarthy. I was initially reluctant to read it because I had been told about how violent it was--that and I am not a fan of the "Western" genre. But a group of fellow students and I were trying to coordinate some summer reading, so I plunged in. I am glad I did.

  I hope you will enjoy your journey through BM this time. Yes, it is violent, deeply and horribly bloody. It is also a beautiful piece of writing. The book touches on grand ideas and explores the sources of violence in humanity, doing so in a style that makes you pay attention. I do not like violence, but here, the violence serves a purpose. You mention McCarthy's vocabulary, something I too enjoyed. I was also impressed with the way McCarthy weaves his knowledge of geology through that novel. At the time I was taking a geology class, and it was fun to read the geological terms and recognize them.

  I have also read THE ROAD and enjoyed that as well.

  I have not read NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN, nor seen the film. Once again, I am put off by the violence. Perhaps I should trust my previous experiences with McCarthy.

  Terry, although I rarely post here, I read the board regularly, and I have seen your posts of your own authorial products. I too have aspirations to write. One of the best things I can do, I believe, to cultivate my own writing is to read great writing and absorb the cadences of the masters of the craft. McCarthy is surely one of these.
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  Terry

  So, Terry, if you don't mind my asking, how did you transition from a non-fiction reader to fiction? What piqued your interest in Cormac McCarthy's works (or any other fiction writer's work for that matter) initially? How do you maintain your interest in a story that seems so dark and brooding and, ultimately, rather depressing??

  Thanks for the question.

  As I was trying to finish writing my novel (since destroyed in a hardrive crash) I took a strong interest in reading books about writing and writing better. I started examining what makes good writing good and great writing great.

  I have always had great respect for Harold Bloom. When he gave a huge compliment to Cormac McCarthy, I couldn't help but have my curiousity aroused.

  Mainly, I was going to see what Bloom's idea of terrific writing is and how it was accomplished.

  In the course of finding the right book at the right time (No Country for Old Men) I was sucked in to the actual novel itself and found myself realy enjoying the ride!

  Intellectually, I found the way I was absorbing the writing to be a tremendous joy. I mean, I WAS REALLY ENJOYING READING FICTION for the first time in many years.

  That led me to the next and next books by CM.

  Simple enough, eh?

  Further, I think it is going to make my writing a lot better and enable me to see my bad habits and wrong-headed style embellishements in a new light. That is a boon and a boost.

  That's about it.

  T.
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  Terry

  Terry, run, don't walk, to the nearest theater that is playing No Country for Old Men.

  I did, I did.

  Loved it.
• 

  Seeker4

  Terry, good suggestion. I've known about McCarthy and the fact that he is a genius writer for some time. My first attempt at reading him was a bit off putting. There was something like a sentence with over 100 words and little or no punctuation, and I thought it was a "look at me, look at how clever I am" trick. I had trouble going on after that. But...
  
  I know better now.
  
  You might also want to check out Jim Harrison (perhaps my favorite writer) and Michael Chabon, two other extraordinary writers.
  
  S4
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  NewYork44M

  Thanks for the tip. I enjoy reading fiction and enjoy finding authors good enough to read multiple books. I am on my second Phil Roth book, The Human Stain. And I have read many of John Steinbecks books.

  I watched the movie No country for Old men and noticed that the book is on the NYT best seller list. I will take your advice and put it on my next to read book
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  Crumpet

  I am ordering The Road now Terry after reading your synposis. I love reading fiction which depicts a post apocalyptic world.

  two others I recommend - Exodus by Julie Bertagna - which is actually I think considered teen fiction but is beautiful and the other

  Mara and Dan by Doris Lessing which sounds ever so like what you just described so can I recommend that one back to you. She is probably the most intelligent and evaluative female author still alive today, yet very approachable in terms of reading.
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  PrimateDave

  I read The Road a couple of months back. Very dark and gripping fiction. It will profoundly affect your mood. Definitely recommended.
  
  Dave
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  Quentin

  I too have put off reading fiction for some time, reading "The Road" now (thanks for the book Terry)....was hard to get into, yet, once I got started have found it to be a real page turner...when I'm finished will read the others...Haven't seen the movie yet....
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  Open mind

  Who names their kid "Cormac"?
  
  Thanks for adding to an ever-growing list Terry. I don't think 70-80 years is gonna be enough! Maybe I should try getting on Jehober's good side again!
  
  ;-)
  
  OM
• 

  Open mind

  Just finished reading "The Road".

  WOW!

  I have mixed feelings about recommending this for anyone who is already depressed.

  It definitely darkened my mood & outlook for at least 12 hours. I guess that's a pretty strong recommendation for a writer's skill.

  Then again, I now have much more appreciation for clean water, food and regular bathing.

  And those are just very superficial observations regarding this book.

  *SPOILER ALERT*

  Stop reading here if you don't want to know any more details.

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  OK, here's a few random observations/opinions.

  Here's my theory on Cormac and his scanty use of punctuation. As I was adjusting to it I couldn't help but think that his post-apocalyptic world must have been at least partially caused by "smart" neutron bombs that selectively destroyed apostrophes & quotation marks.

  It takes a little getting used to. Personally I think it's an unnecessary load to put on his readers but, hey, I guess that's part of the price of admission if you want to read his stuff.

  If it hadn't been for Terry's recommendation, I probably would have quit this book after the first 20 or 30 pages. Around page 50 or so, I started really caring about the characters and was hooked.

  I liked that he NEVER specifically mentioned what kind of cataclysm sent the world into an ashen, perpetual winter. I'm guessing he thought that was unnecessary info not worth his reader's time.

  I think what grabbed me the most about this book was the variety of moral dilemmas that the father & son had to confront.

  I have a question for any who have read the book:

  What do you think "the fire" is?

  It's mentioned only a couple times I believe. Most notably towards the end, on Pg 234, as the father is dying and preparing his son to continue on. (FYI, the dialogue starts with the son speaking.) Here's an excerpt:

  **********************

  I want to be with you.

  You can't.

  Please.

  You cant. You have to carry the fire.

  I dont know how to.

  Yes you do.

  Is it real? The fire?

  Yes it is.

  Where is it? I dont know where it is.

  Yes you do. It's inside you. It was always there. I can see it.

  ***********************

  I have a couple ideas, but I was curious to know how anyone else interepreted this.

  Thanks again Terry for your strong recommendation.

  Open Mind