How to Read Cormac McCarthy

What is the best way to read Cormac McCarthy? What perspective gives you the most out of his work?
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📕 My favorite books on Cormac McCarthy 📘

[andrewbellacomo]

I’ve wondered how he was able to weave such powerful narratives using almost no plot. I liked this take on that question. I think it was the enrapturing contrast in his sentence structures - at turns long and thunderous and polysyndetic, and short, plain and piercing - along with the way he elevated nature to the level of character that first drew me to his work. The way he imbued his settings with a dark, borderline magical quality. The way they hum of mystery.

[rachmusic]

Another awesome video!! The dense contrast of his work really does open up like Pandora’s box. Thanks, as always, for the insightful discussion

[Cholata]

It is true that he does not give much characterization in appearances, but sometimes he does so subtly. Like the opening paragraph of Blood Meridian or with the child from The Road (it describes his blond hair in a scene that plays the flute or takes a bath if I remember correctly). And this little characterization that they have through dialogue and actions sets a good tone. Maybe they don't always make them memorable characters, but the story and meaning does.

The best way to read it for me is to just read it for the first time. After that, analyze it and try to see what it means. Because the first time you will not notice many things, you will pass them by; and I think it is necessary to analyze it for this reason.

Even with a minimalist style, the novels have a giant investigation as you said. I don't know why he only released two novels in 2022, 2006-2022 (16 years), but he was careful with his novels and probably took that long time in those 2.

So this minimalist style, lot of research, ambiguity of meanings and characterizations make it very well for a serious tone. Besides that he always deals with issues related to death or anything that is a serius critique.

Also, aside, are you a writer? I would love to check your books if you have any.

[christophechalaye]

I read most of McCarthy's oeuvre inside my local Starbucks between 2009 and 2011.

[adampearson]

I don’t think I’ve ever heard someone describe Faulkner as “writing minimally.” That is certainly a first.

As for the your actually question, Richard Ford said recently (regarding Absalom, Absalom!) “But I understood from it that readers read first in order to be treated to well-chosen language; not for plot or character or – God help us – for theme.”

Though I only wish that were true (the Bestsellers lists would look a lot different if it were), that is definitely the way to approach Cormac McCarthy.

[texafricanbullfrog]

I’m jealous off the tall grass and birch trees in your background

[nounxyz]

Very interesting again. For me it is always the Language that draws me into the novels. The Language is a definite character, challenging and testing, feeding and sustaining. The word made flesh. Who’s flesh?
It changes you.

[carlosfarina]

I read his Border Trilogy and Blood Meridian outside on my porch, with a refreshing glass of sweet lemon tea in the daytime, or a crisp ice cold beer in the evening under the moon accompanied by the steady cadence of the chirping crickets; providing the tempo of his prose. No better way to read McCarthy

[joeking]

I love reading but have little in the way of conventional education; what books would you recommend I read to better analyze literature? I've already read "How to Read a Book" by Mortimer Adler

[kylebradley]

Are you using an SM57? Howd you land on that mic?!

[enriccoc]

serious question but only tangentially relevant - have you always gestured so aggressively when you talk or was it something you consciously decided to add and practiced doing at some point?

[tysonjames]

Do you have any published stuff? Love your approach and I am curious. Thanks!

[MichaelHickmanD]

The underground went to the surface for this one!