All posts tagged Cormac McCarthy

Cormac McCarthy (born Charles Joseph McCarthy Jr.; July 20, 1933 – June 13, 2023) was an American author who wrote twelve novels, two plays, five screenplays, and three short stories, spanning the Western, post-apocalyptic, and Southern Gothic genres. His works often include graphic depictions of violence, and his writing style is characterized by a sparse use of punctuation and attribution. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest American novelists.

—Wikipedia

Stella Maris

Published on March 10, 2024

Cormac McCarthy’s final novel pairs with The Passenger . It is a dialogue between Bobby Western’s sister, Alice, and her psychiatrist. The “action” takes place at a rehab facility named Stella Maris (Star of Mary in Latin). The dialogue becomes listless and bogged down in various philosophical and mathematical issues quickly. Alice or Alicia (she changed her name at one point) has picked up and wrestled with these issues into oblivion. Literally to the point that she began experiencing hallucinations,...

The Passenger

Published on March 9, 2024

The Passenger by Cormac McCarthy starts out with a mysterious private jet crash. The novel’s protagonist, Bobby Western, leads a salvage dive to it that turns up no survivors. The salvage team had to use a torch to get into the jet and things are oddly missing: the black box and the captain’s bag. How were they removed? A day later Bobby is approached by what appear to be two federal agents. What did he find? Did he remove anything?...

Blood Meridian

Published on December 11, 2012

Cormac McCarthy published Blood Meridian in 1985. Set in the mid-19th century, the story follows a runaway known as “the Kid” who joins a band of ruthless scalp hunters. The narrative centers around the Kid’s experiences with the gang, led by the enigmatic and brutal Judge Holden. As they venture into the lawless violent frontier they take part in relentless acts of violence. They engage in massacres, scalping, and other atrocities committed against Native Americans and Mexican settlers. Blood Meridian...