Butcher's Crossing - John Williams BOOK REVIEW

[@dom_mld]

A tremendously underrated work and a strong contender for the Great American Novel. Thanks for posting this.

[@mr.newmanthadreamer8434]

I completely agree

[@glizzymcguire7]

Picked this up after reading Stoner a few years ago! Can't wait. Cheers

[@maxschafer8945]

Finally! A book I've read before you reviewed it. Great book.

[@Johanna_reads]

While I also preferred Stoner, this review of Butcher’s Crossing brings to mind the many clever ways Williams critiqued Western genre romanticism. When first published, the NYT review described the book as “practically plotless” and that the story “…contains little excitement and moves as though hauled by a snail through a pond of molasses. You can leave it anytime, a lot of people will.” Although you found the pacing slow at times, I’m glad you kept reading and shared this thoughtful analysis.

[@Vibe_Enjoyer]

Never read a western before and am 130 pages into Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry, and loved it from the first chapter on, and even though I have 2k pages to go, the more I got to read these pages, I grew equally anxious to find my next cowmanboy book fix. and there you go uploading this. thanks chief cant wait to get to more westerns. industrial society is pure bullshit.

[@ngoodey]

One of my favorite American novels that shows the burning ambition of its people and the violence and greed that often fuel it.

[@sonybluraydisk]

OMG the timing, I just bought it! After falling in love with Stoner I needed to check out his other works. Thanks for the great reviews, greetings from Austria

[@thekemlo477]

Been waiting for you to review this ever since i found this channel, one of my favourite books ever.

[@a-yam943]

Hey Cliff! Recently read Lucio’s Confession by Mário de Sá-Carneiro who was a friend of Fernando Pessoa’s who tragically took his own life at a young age. It is considered the first book in the canon of gay Portuguese literature and seems as though it was written about Pessoa in some ways. I’d love to hear your interpretation.

[@nikkivenable73]

I need to re-read this one! I read it 2 years ago and enjoyed it but didn't LOVE it. You've convinced me to give it another go. Thanks❤❤

[@girishgowda7661]

Are you going to review Moby Dick, Clifford. I can't not notice Melville's influence on Cormac McCarthy. I think you'd like it

[@derekgreen7319]

I agree with this. I think penguin should publish a complete conan volume. I think if a complete conan book was published back in the 60s or 70s, he would be considered cannon . At least for fantasy.

[@andreschaves715]

my friend - read & review the bluest eye. it’s devastating unlike anything i’ve ever read. nothing comes close. also, i read stoner, thanks for the beautiful introduction.

[@bookofdust]

Started watching the Ken Burns Buffalo documentary on Friday and awaiting the final installment on this coming Friday and you’re almost compelling me to read this in between, but there’s a wait list at the library, so I’ll try to pick it up later this year.

[@daviddawson1289]

Great review! Read this last year and it blew me away.

[@astralflight6151]

Been meaning to read this book for a number of years. Glad you made this video to kick my ass into gear

[@danecobain]

It wasn't quite as good as Stoner, but it was still a fab read! A four-star read for me :)

[@bentilbury2002]

Happy New Year! Really enjoyed Stoner (thanks for the recommendation!), so I think I'll check this out too.

[@midorilove07]

Mr. Simon Winchester recommended this book to me after I read Stoner. Haven't gotten around to it and your video tells me I'd better start.

[@shovethedove]

six million ways to die, but you cant choose one, it chooses you

[@chipesque]

Came here after the Harry Crews review. You should read if you haven’t already the painted bird by Jerzy Kosiński. Definitely has parts that are painful in a bad way. I had to read the book in a class on violence in fiction in which we also read Blood Meridian which I loved. Your content is great. I’m in grad school when I get out this may ill be a patron. I love what it is you do.

[@marcelhidalgo1076]

I was thinking just the other day that Cliff should review Butcher's Crossing.

[@MariaCamarena_OneWing]

Stoner is one of my favourite ever novels. Moby Dick is one of my least favourite. So I will definitely be giving this one a read to see what I think. By the way, just finished the wild detectives, bye Roberto Bolaño. I think you might like it. Best regards and thank you for your videos.

[@lizardslaw2661]

I have had this very book on my bookshelf for years. Unread. Well I need to get this one on my read list this year. Thanks . Stoner was incredible and pretty sure I read it because of you.

[@SmallSpaceCorgi]

Have you seen the 2023 movie version? I saw the trailer today and I want to see it. Time to see if the local library has a DVD,

[@allesvergaengliche]

Just finished. I definitely agree with the “tempo changes” of the book.

[@mudgetheexpendable]

A wonderful read for me. Your analysis rang true and expanded some inklings I had while reading it, about the darkness among these men and what it came from. Similar in its brutal, rageful beauty is THE CALLLINGS by Henry Chappell. Worth seeking out.

[@palodine1]

read the book a few years ago after having loved Stoner ( based on your recommendation and Anthony Bourdain"s book list) and really liked it.The recent movie version is ok at best. Read the book people, it's worth it.

[@lilaccilla]

He is my fav painter of his style ! I got to see his work s once at the Smithsonian . Awesome experience

[@usmnt4423]

I’m actually very much reminded of Camus and The Plague in that section about being subject to nature’s plans rather than being intended to achieve hopes and dream

[@Long_Shoulder]

I seem to be an outlier in that I found Stoner to be a boring slog, but this was exceptional. Beautifully written, visceral, and extremely memorable.

[@Number69]

Loved the book. I saw Andrews' flashes (whiteness, Francine's body, Schneider dying) as akin to how animals see things. Guided by instinct and completely enveloping (the loss of a sense of time, the outside world, inability to talk with others). Miller was so attuned to that life he accepted the blizzard, the loss of the wagon, the hardships of nature but could not deal with the human world of fluctuating tastes that rendered his work worthless (in contrast to the wagon washing away). The hints to genocide were also disconcerting - how he killed with no aim other than to clear the entire herd with no regard to why he was doing it or what would be the consequence of his (and others) doing so. Just some thoughts, glad I found the channel ❤

[@AriFoxWrites]

AAAHHHH I love your book reviews sm!!

[@mohibahmed1183]

So glad to see this book here❤

[@Alirezajax]

One of the best books that I have ever read is Stoner, and I have been meaning to read this one since I finished Stoner. I have tried to read it multiple times in recent years, but since English is not my first language, I found the vocabulary a bit too difficult. I read a Persian translation of Blood Meridian and enjoyed it, but I don't think I appreciated it enough. I plan to read this one in English and reread Blood Meridian in English too. Do you have any suggestions for someone like me about the vocabulary? My English is not bad at all, and I read novels in English regularly, but for this kind of books, I have always struggled. This includes Blood Meridian, Butcher's Crossing, Shakespeare, Milton, Poe, and... And great review as always, thank you.

[@jays2551]

shit, people who speak English as a first language sometimes have trouble with blood meridian's vocabulary. the issue as I see it is that the general narration of every chapter is done almost in the style of an 1850s texan. a lot of the vocabulary is older words that don't readily have a modern context and there's also a lot of spanish words throughout (rumor has it that cormac mccarthy learned Spanish while researching for blood meridian, which makes sense given the area where the book takes place). I normally don't recommend an ereader (like a kindle or a nook) but I think in your case it could be a great supplement, since most ereaders allow you to highlight specific words and pull up a little dictionary bubble about their meaning. however, an ereader really isn't necessary if you've read any amount of 19th century english literature. there will definitely be words you don't recognize but they're generally contextualized very well, so you typically won't get lost in the plot simply because a word or two is unrecognizable. good luck and happy reading!

[@Alirezajax]

@@jays2551 Thank you very much, and sorry, I didn't see your comment until just now. It seems KZbin didn't notify me.

[@humanfirst11]

I find it interesting that you have been in this Booktube space for about 9 years and have 170+K subscribers. Whereas, Jared Handerson started 1 year back, and already has more than 190K subscribers! 😮😮

[@bad-girlbex3791]

I have no idea who Jared Handerson is. I'm guessing he has the right connections or is some darling of some set or whatnot.

[@james2529]

Absolutely loved this book. So different to Stoner but equally genius. The writing is flawless and the horror on so many levels is just incredible. A stunning critique of capitalism, a call for environmental protection and the reality of 'the west'. One of my favourite ever books.

[@kylenewberry9792]

Yeah I don’t think John Williams was some communist hero, and don’t try to turn him into such, weirdo.

[@Cyber_Noot]

really enjoyed Augustus by the same author. gonna have to add this one to my list.

[@armandolagente]

Moby Dick taught me how to whale, similarly to how this book describes buffalo hunts.

[@climberisms]

Curious on a review of some John Fante works

[@noheroespublishing1907]

You truly would appreciate John Steakley's masterpiece "Armor".

[@possibledamage1990]

Didn’t they just make a movie on this book with Nic Cage?

[@Matt-nb3yb]

Yes they did! lol I haven't heard a single thing about the movie (not even in the 8mo since you posted your comment), did you end up watching it? It's pretty far down my to-watch list, but I'm intrigued

[@spoolstring1853]

Watched the films adaptation though somewhat a nice cave vehicle , one of the better modern movies watched , sounds close to the book as you reviewed.

[@leonardocbp]

Awesome book, awesome review! Your raised some points that weren't obvious to me. Some points of the novel clearly touch you more than me and I like your perspective on them. But yeah, nature and life and death are all indifferent to us and I think Miller couldn't stand it. Stoicly, sure, but it's like he's trying or actually becoming some force like those. A human response to the indifferent of nature or something like that. Oh, by the way: the movie is trash

[@lilaccilla]

Have you reviewed The Idiot ? It was a favourite I read when I was in my 20 s . I have not read any of his others . Just The Idiot , which is a word for an epileptic . Sad but true. I am not a reader , I use to read the thinnest of books in school . I found out later I have had undiagnosed dyslexia. not easy to be an avid bookworm. But my fav books are 3 by Herman Hesse, and Giovannis Room by James Baldwin . and Kurt Vonneguts Slaughterhouse 5 , and Ray Bradbury s The Illustrated Man . I am mainly a film buff . I wish to see a remake of The Illustrated Man and I would love to see Damien on film , and The Idiot also . I am a reader now of almost all of Jane Roberts / Seth books. One of which I would like to see you review! But Im sure it would not be up your alley! The trilogy itself would make a great series's or films . The Oversoul Seven Trilogy by Jane Roberts . I loved your review of Giovanni s Room very much . And thats how I came across your KZbin channel . I will support it ❤

[@kdot78]

no fucking way! I just started reading this novel

[@FatShadow56]

Just finished this a few weeks ago.

[@TH3F4LC0Nx]

Probably the 3rd greatest western novel, after Blood Meridian and Warlock. I really think that Butcher's Crossing is maybe a deeper work than Williams's other book, Stoner, but I think Stoner might be the better executed book. 🤔

[@ryanthegreat805]

That bear part made me 😂

[@TheSalMaris]

Also see the movie The Last Hunt made in 1956.

[@rustyshackelford934]

Read this one this past year. Damned fine novel, underrated when it comes to Williams’ catalogue, or, just in general.

[@troubxe]

Mesmerizing novel, sort of Moby Dick's cousin I dare say. Stoner is even better, I highly recommend it.

[@amirbrandon5011]

Awesome

[@ningboy3274]

as a former squatter and life long crustie, I know that wearing the same clothes for 1/4th of a year isn't as much of a hardship as you might assume, I mean what is personal hygiene if not a social construct, and if you're away from society I would argue that it is actually a privilege to be able to live in your own filth without facing any type of backlash from other people. What other purpose does bathing serve apart from sparing those around you from having to smell your overly ripe genitalia? You and your comrades banded together in the wilderness with smelly balls is one of the truest expressions of freedom that humanity can undergo and I would say that makes being dirty one of the most patriotic undertaking one can endure because smelly balls (or lady bits) is the realization of true freedom.

[@derekgreen7319]

It's been a few years since I've read this. But I loved it when I did. It's time to revisit it.

[@torgeir.362]

the goat

[@dplol_]

I've always liked this one better than Stoner.

[@jonbrouwer4300]

My favorite novel of all time. Incredible prose, an exciting plot, and deep characters. And all of it a perfect meditation on the settlement and industrialization of America.

[@ZINEBKHZIBA]

🤗🤗

[@hdcbpxsytahdcbpx]

arms lookin massive 🐗🐗

[@r.s.9861]

Not a Stoner or an Augustus - but not a bad novel, 3.7/5 for me, Cliff. If it's a western, it's McCarthy.

[@CalebShannon-j1k]

I found your personification of Nature during your review to be somewhat deifying. Haven't read the book so I'm unsure if you're lending themes from the Author. I just find it really interesting how we justify our lives as a battle between two conscious beings - our selves and Nature.

[@porondeandajao]

I would like to see you reviewing a Paul Auster's book.

[@mjau65]

Yes! Moon Palace would be good.

[@kylenewberry9792]

Skip to six or seven minutes in to hear him actually talk about the book