Rating: Summary: A superb, beautiful book Review: I never -- almost never -- recommend books to anyone, because although I know what I like and dislike, I recognize that tastes and opinions differ. This is one of the only books about which I make an exception. At the risk of hyperbole, I believe that "All The Pretty Horses" is one of the finest American novels of the 20th Century. I have read other works by McCarthy, including the other novels in this trilogy, and none match this book. The prose is powerful and moving, the plot riveting, the characters compelling. I have not seen the movie -- how could I be anything but disappointed in it? -- but even if one sets aside the grace and fluid strength of the writing, the story is remarkable for its passion and authentic feel...The punctuation meshes dialogue with narrative better. There isn't that much Spanish, it's ordinarily translated by other characters, ...-- a lot of the story takes place in Mexico....
Rating: Summary: If you appreciate "barn language" you will love this book. Review: I read this book without realizing it was the first in a trilogy. That would explain the odd ending. As an historian of Spanish/American History, and one who operated a horse ranch in CA for more than a decade, I confess it is authentically written. Readers without knowing at least a modicum of spanish will find it essential to have a good Spanish Dictionary handy since much of the dialog is in that language. Parts of the book are exemplarary for its understanding of the cultures involved; southern Texas and Mexican, that exprresses as beautifully as any I have read the concept of the Mexican mind as it relates to the gente de razon as well as ordinary types with whom it would be best to stay clear. The first part of the book is tedious, but I found myself emotionally spellbound by parts in the latter portion of the work. McCarthy is a very good writer, and may have touched me because he and I are so close in age, and have had similar experiences. I would recommend the book to persons with open minds and who appreciate the subtleties of Mexican philosophy as essential to their lifestyle so different from our own. I cannot say toward what the plot is leading in volumes 2 and 3 since I have not read them; nor do I have a strong inclination to do so. From what I have read, it seems to me the title is totally inappropriate since there are so few pretty horses. I can only presume that the connection will be made in the later two volumes. The plot, as far as I am able to make it out, is a comparison between two cultures. Beyond that, I cannot say what value the book offers except that it contains passages of great beauty and comprehension toward the end.
Rating: Summary: Is there a quotation mark shortage? Review: Everyone in our bookclub complained about the lack of quotation marks in this novel. I'll admit, it made the book hard to read. Especially when they switched to Spanish. I read the book and saw the movie. I did not understand the beginning of this book before watching the movie. The movie made the book make more sense (when does that ever happen?). I thought this book had a decent story, but it's obviously the beginning to a much bigger story. I don't think this novel stands on it's own very well. I was horribly deceived that this was a romance story. The romance is a small part of the story. Blink and you'll miss it. This was a western, men's relationships, men travelling, and men with horses. If you're a cowboy, cowgirl, or like giddy-up dusty road stories, you may like this. Otherwise, I don't recommend it.
Rating: Summary: Pretty Horsey Book Review: Enjoyed the book! Wanted the story to continue to see what happens. Learned many Spanish words and phrases from reading the book. It is a great adventure and love story. Read this first then go see the movie! Many descriptive, powerfull words. There is actually a good plot past the first 100 pages that is just description and setting the scene, so get past the first third and you will enjoy the book. There is a great opportunity for discussion, so read this with someone else! A supple modern western!
Rating: Summary: this black city man loved all the pretty horses Review: i saw this book around for several years, and the movie only piqued my curiosity...started on it last thursday and finished it last night... wow, this is a great book...more than just a western novel..maccarthy takes on some very heady themes here: death, religion, philosophy, honor, etc...it's as if oddyseus lost his sea legs, got some boots and a stetson and decided to take a journey on the open plains... maccarthy's style is sparse, but there's a poetry to the simple language...the only other book i can think of that shows more reverence to horses and their beauty is "the horse whisper" by nicolas evans john grady cole is an extraordinary hero, but i loved the fact that he had flaws and that made him endearing...sometimes the large than life types can be a bit cornpone for my taste... i felt really bad for him when he didn't get the girl...if anyone deserved alejandra's love, it was him... i dodn't know if i want to see the movie yet, now that i've read the book. it was trashed by the critics and bombed at the box office...and yet,i can't think of a better john grady than matt damon... but the book won me over to maccarthy. he definately has a fan...
Rating: Summary: beautiful Review: I LOVED this book. McCarthy's use of language is powerful and really swept me away. There were sentences that I read over and over again -- they were so beautful. I have yet to read the other two novels in The Border Trilogy (they are waiting on my shelf), but if they continue the experience I had with All The Pretty Horses, I will be thrilled.
Rating: Summary: Tired of reading the word "and"!! Review: It's an interesting book, but it is very hard to read as Mr McCarthy really likes the word "and"!! I swear the book would be half as thick if he left that word in only the deserving places. Where is your Junior High school english teacher? Probably rolling in his grave! If you can get past his overly repetative and jumpy style then the story is pretty good except that he makes these 16 and 17 year olds way beyond their wisdom as he wrote with the mind of a daydreaming old man not in touch with teenagers. Sorry,, but there it is!
Rating: Summary: The Adventure is the Ride Review: Adventure is most often described as exciting, romantic, dangerous, suspenseful, mysterious, and unforgettable. In the world today not many people are able to experience an event such as this, but I know two people who are that lucky. In Cormac McCarthy's book All The Pretty Horses, John Grady Cole and his closest friend Lacey Rawlins ride horseback through a timeless adventure. While they travel from Texas to Mexico the reader gets sucked into the story to go along for the ride. When I first read this book, I thought the author's style was poor and unorganized, but my opinion began to change because the story is spectacular! The writer's tone is excited, because in every paragraph things are rapidly changing and it is a heart-racing event just trying to keep up with what is about to happen. My favorite character is John Grady Cole because I admire him for his honesty, dignity, loyalty, and courage. In the story, John Grady is introduced to a young, adolescent boy named Blevins. The boy wants to join John and Rawlins on their journey, however Rawlins is opposed to the very idea. John Cole allows the boy to ride with them to Texas and after some time he becomes fond of Blevins. I think that John Grady sees his reflection in Blevins and he understands the boy. John Grady Cole reminds me of my grandfather, because during his lifetime my grandfather was an honest man who was caring and considerate of others. I admire them both for their meritorious characteristics and hope that I too, may learn from their behavior. Later in the book, times get tough and the future looks worse and worse. However in all the conflicting troubles, never does John Grady give up. My favorite quote is when John and Rawlins are in jail and John is talking to an administrator named Perez. "It is not that he is stupid. It is that his picture of the world is incomplete. In this rare way. He looks only where he wishes to see" (Perez 192). I believe that this saying applies to life today. Perez is basically saying that stupidity is only looking at what one wants to see instead of what there is to see. Maybe if people would try looking beyond the obvious and taking a deeper understanding, the world might be a better place. In conclusion, the most important thing about this book is the adventure. Adventure is not only parachuting from airplanes or scuba diving in Hawaii. I think the main thing the writer is trying to say is that life is an adventure in itself and one can make it memorable if one tries. My advice to the reader is to have fun and enjoy this western extravaganza. It is a vacation from the chores of daily life. It is an excellent book!
Rating: Summary: If you love McCarthy, try Mark Jude Poirier, a young writer Review: I love this book! It has taken me years to find something I like almost as much. Check out Goats by Mark Jude Poirier. If you like All The Pretty Horses, I think it is a new book you might enjoy. My sister-in-law has given me copies of both, and boy was she ever on the money!
Rating: Summary: Saddle up! Review: Get on your horse and get ready to take a ride south of the border with John Grady Cole, 16 and his buddy Lacy Rawlins, 17. Along the way the unfortunate youngster Jimmy Blevins tails after them and John Grady against his better begins to look after him. As is likely to happen with young men on adventures, Cole and Rawlins do not put a lot of forethought into all of their actions. While Rawlins feels foreboding in the pit of his stomach he does nothing to stop the actions which might lead them deeper into trouble. They ride recklessly into Mexico without understanding the country or the culture. Cormac McCarthy has written a terrific coming of age tale in All the Pretty Horses. This book needs to be considered in its totality - the wonderful story, the beautifully written descriptions, and the style. Combined together it is an excellent book. McCarthy has a habit of taking of with descriptions story and dialogue, before the reader has a chance to get her balance. It is worth rereading a few paragraphs or pages here and there. This is the kind of book that were I an English teacher I would give as assigned reading. I think it will hold up over time to be a much read coming of age story, compared with many of the greats.
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