Cormac McCarthy

mickoregan

I wonder how many came to THE ROAD and/or NCFOM through having seen the films, thus setting up certain expectations?
I've seen none of the films based on McCarthy's work. He's a writer who's imagery deserves the full rein of the imagination, IMO.

Mindfulness

mickoregan wrote: »

I wonder how many came to THE ROAD and/or NCFOM through having seen the films, thus setting up certain expectations?
I've seen none of the films based on McCarthy's work. He's a writer who's imagery deserves the full rein of the imagination, IMO.

Not me anyway. I read the book and then about two months later I was in the cinema with my wife and we saw the trailer for the film. I turned to my wife and said to her 'That's one you won't want to see'.

I still haven't seen the film but to be honest, having read the book I can honestly say I wouldn't be bothered. It would only be a pale imitation of the book and having read that and thought it was good but not the spectacular, unmissable, unputdownable read that the reviewers were making out, I can't see the point in viewing the film.

mickoregan

Yeah, I have no real interest in seeing the film - I presume you're referring to The Road. The book was wonderful.

Mindfulness

mickoregan wrote: »

Yeah, I have no real interest in seeing the film - I presume you're referring to The Road. The book was wonderful.

Indeed, that wasn't clear from my post. I really did enjoy the book but in many ways was probably victim of the literary reviews and then expected too much. In contrast when I first read 'the silence of the lambs' I knew nothing about it and it blew me away. I'm glad I hadn't read the reviews of that because perhaps then I'd have felt like I enjoyed the book but a little let down. A perception bias? Perhaps

--Kaiser--

mickoregan wrote: »

Yeah, I have no real interest in seeing the film - I presume you're referring to The Road. The book was wonderful.

The movie was woeful. I don't how anyone could have made that film if they had actually read the book

Tombo2001

Have read the border trilogy, amazing books. I would think the scene in the crossing where Billy comes across the trapped wolf is about the best piece of contemporary writing I have come across.

Havent read the more recent books, I am simply not that interested in books about serial killers no matter who writes them.....just thematically......not nearly as interesting as say Billy's story in the Crossing.

His work, having started in a fairly dark place, seem to have become even darker in latter years and I wasnt interested in going there.....not for reasons of distaste, but disinterest.

--Kaiser--

Tombo2001 wrote: »

His work, having started in a fairly dark place, seem to have become even darker in latter years and I wasnt interested in going there.....not for reasons of distaste, but disinterest.

I don't think any of his recent books were near as dark as Blood Meridian

mickoregan

I still think his darkest work to date has been Child of God, followed closely by BM.

ThirdMan

Tombo2001 wrote: »

Havent read the more recent books, I am simply not that interested in books about serial killers no matter who writes them.

You're talking about his older books there. The Road and No Country for Old Men aren't about serial killers. The latter does feature a homicidal psychopath, but that doesn't qualify as a serial killer (read Child of God and you'll understand the distinction). But yeah, I can understand why you don't want to read that type of material.

ThirdMan

Mindfulness wrote: »

I can't see the point in viewing the film.

Here's one reason: the 'cellar' scene. It's one of the most powerful moments in the novel, and the film just about does it justice. Even if you don't watch it, try find that scene.

minnow

I just finished my first McCarthy novel, The Road, and found it magnificent. I was delighted to find this thread for opinions on further McCarthy books. Have ordered Child of God and can't wait to receive it !

Reiver

No Country For Old Men and The Road are what I've read. His prose (especially the way he handles dialogue) should be off-putting but it isnt! I just get immersed. Great to see a few other fans of his work here!

Blood Meridian is next!

nc6000

I've read The Border Trilogy, The Road, Outer Dark and didn't finish Blood Meridian. I think I'll give it another go and then read Suttree, it's been sitting here untouched for a while now.