I fought and fought and fought this book. I even had friends tell me to just drop it and move on. But I stuck it out and it was worth it. It is like watching a gun powder fuse burn down to an explosive climax.

An endless stream of brutality in the Old West, seen through the eyes of a young witness and participant. Beautifully written, but to what end? I became a bit numb to the bloodletting; perhaps that was the point. He’s written better books. Feel free to skip this one.

I don’t know if I would ever read it through again but I am glad to have read it. A strange feeling to be sure.

I can understand the game surrounding this book, and while the characters were all portrayed extremely well I thought much of the book was redundant. The plot was very good, when the the author would eventually get around to revealing it. This is the third MCarthy book I’ve read(The Road, All the Pretty Horses) and the one I found least suited to his style of writing. Probably I’m just not cut out for his writing style and I’m picky in how I want a Western to read. This is a unique book but I would not call it the best Western

Read this book. Talk about this book. Seek to understand it. And in time you too will quote The Judge randomly in your living room like the rest of us. It is a book of blood, chaos and violence. A place where hope is scarce and compassion starves. It is not fun or kind. Yet it is a masterpiece.

As I suggest this book, just understand something’s for one if you don’t like gore and lots of senseless (or meaningful depending on your opinion) violence, I’d steer clear from this novel but if you can stomach it, I truly believe Cormac McCarthy has a great way with his words and descriptions, and themes that will stay with you forever. Some may say this novel is pointless and pretentious but I beg to differ!(ok maybe a little pretentious lol)

Or will you run

This is now considered my new favorite book. Never have I ever read a book that gave me an experience like this one had. The prose are so lyrical and poetic that it will put you in a hypnotic flow once you get in to the book and figure out its rhythm it’s almost like a trance that it will be hard to put it down. Such powerful writing. So much violence and he makes it sound poetic. This book is a must read.

“Whatever in creation exists without my knowledge exists without my consent.”

One of the best pieces of American literature