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Kenny's Reviews > All the Pretty Horses
All the Pretty Horses
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Scars have the strange power to remind us that our past is real.
All the Pretty Horses ~~ Cormac McCarthy
Believe it or not, All the Pretty Horses is the first Cormac McCarthy novel I have read. I wish I hadn't put reading Cormac McCarthy off for so long. Reading this was like discovering an unknown Ernest Hemingway title. This was a fantastic read.
All the Pretty Horses is a richly-imagined, modern-day, western, full of adventure, romance, and vibrant characters. After having read this, I am convinced McCarthy is one of the best writers America has produced the last 50 years.
The story is simple, but written with energy and thoughtful subtlety ~~ one critic described All the Pretty Horses as part bildungsroman, part horse opera, and part meditation on courage and loyalty. The writing is sparse, the characters few ~~ all are all drawn with care and skill ~~ the friendship between Cole and Rawlins is humorous and heartfelt.
McCarthy’s nostalgic prose is sparse, romantic and mesmerizing; McCarthy paints a ruggedly beautiful picture of the badlands of Texas and northern Mexico.
I grew to love John Grady for his determination, his courage, his manliness and even his work ethic. I found Grady’s attitude refreshing and inspiring. Grady is the epitome of loyalty.
John Grady is the definition of honor, integrity, and kindness. I'm looking forward to continuing this journey with him.
After I'd finished All the Pretty Horses, I felt I'd experienced something beautiful and fleeting. This is one of the greatest books I've read in years. Highly recommended.
All the Pretty Horses ~~ Cormac McCarthy
Believe it or not, All the Pretty Horses is the first Cormac McCarthy novel I have read. I wish I hadn't put reading Cormac McCarthy off for so long. Reading this was like discovering an unknown Ernest Hemingway title. This was a fantastic read.
All the Pretty Horses is a richly-imagined, modern-day, western, full of adventure, romance, and vibrant characters. After having read this, I am convinced McCarthy is one of the best writers America has produced the last 50 years.
The story is simple, but written with energy and thoughtful subtlety ~~ one critic described All the Pretty Horses as part bildungsroman, part horse opera, and part meditation on courage and loyalty. The writing is sparse, the characters few ~~ all are all drawn with care and skill ~~ the friendship between Cole and Rawlins is humorous and heartfelt.
McCarthy’s nostalgic prose is sparse, romantic and mesmerizing; McCarthy paints a ruggedly beautiful picture of the badlands of Texas and northern Mexico.
I grew to love John Grady for his determination, his courage, his manliness and even his work ethic. I found Grady’s attitude refreshing and inspiring. Grady is the epitome of loyalty.
John Grady is the definition of honor, integrity, and kindness. I'm looking forward to continuing this journey with him.
After I'd finished All the Pretty Horses, I felt I'd experienced something beautiful and fleeting. This is one of the greatest books I've read in years. Highly recommended.
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Reading Progress
September 4, 2023
–
Started Reading
September 4, 2023
– Shelved
September 4, 2023
– Shelved as:
classics
September 6, 2023
–
67.1%
"This is my first encounter with McCarthy. I love his prose, it was sucked into the story from the first page. I’m excited to read the rest of this trilogy."
page
208
September 7, 2023
–
Finished Reading
September 9, 2023
– Shelved as:
favorites
July 12, 2024
– Shelved as:
cormac-mccarthy
July 12, 2024
– Shelved as:
american-west
Comments Showing 1-12 of 12 (12 new)
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Aesaan
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Sep 09, 2023 12:30AM
cant wait to read this one. glad you loved it :)
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Aesaan wrote: "cant wait to read this one. glad you loved it :)"I have to write a review of it, but it will be a glowing review. I'm excited to read the other two volumes in the trilogy.
Wow, Kenny! High accolades indeed. You're right - he always deserved them!
Amazing review. Ahh i really need to read the rest of this series.
Great review Kenny, but what is a horse opera? Like a cowboy epic?
I read this so long ago that I don't remember very much, but the other two in the series The Crossing and Cities of the Plain are my favorites out of all of McCarthy's work. Grady returns in Cities to join the protagonist of The Crossing, Billy Parham. No shade to Blood Meridian or The Road, but I'm always advocating that readers give those two a try.
Fergus, Quondam Happy Face wrote: "Wow, Kenny! High accolades indeed. You're right - he always deserved them!"Thank you, Fergus. How are you my friend?
s.penkevich wrote: "Amazing review. Ahh i really need to read the rest of this series."Thanks, Spenky. We've been talking about another buddy read for ages. I think we both forgot about A Death in Venice we planned for this summer. Maybe one or both of the series? They feel like great fall reads.
mwana wrote: "Great review Kenny, but what is a horse opera? Like a cowboy epic?"Hello Mwana -- I'm always happy to hear from you. Yes, a horse opera is like a cowboy epic. It like a soap opera, but with horses, guns and the old west.
Vinny wrote: "I read this so long ago that I don't remember very much, but the other two in the series The Crossing and Cities of the Plain are my favorites out of all of McCarthy's work. Grady returns in Cities to join the protagonist of The Crossing, Billy Parham. No shade to Blood Meridian or The Road, but I'm always advocating that readers give those two a try."That is high praise indeed, Vinny. I am excited to read both of the titles you mentioned. I hope to do so this fall.
I'm doing OK, Kenny - thanks for asking. I'll Mark this TBR for now, until the distant day I manage to slog through the immense challenge of his Stella Maris (A difficult novel.for sure!).
Great review, Kenny! This was just one of my favorites as I’ve read all of McCarthy. I read one book and I was hooked! I like your thoughts on this one! 💕
