My First 5 Star Read of the Year || All The Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy (spoiler free)

My first five start book in 9 months. What a dry spell and glad it is finally over! This book lives in my soul now.
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[@callum7081]

This sold me on the book. I have a massive love for cowboy stories ever since playing red dead redemption 2, something about that lifestyle is so comforting to imagine even though in reality it would probably be pretty awful 😂

[@TomOrange]

Yeah day dreaming about it and actually doing has got to be a whole different world. This shows a lot more of that gritty side

[@jimmyallen8210]

“Moments Reader”. That’s great. Me too.

[@peteinfernicous5865]

I read it a couple of months ago and it resonated deeply with me too, although I think that it dragged in some parts and gave it 4 stars. It's such a cathartic, dreamy and unique experience

[@TomOrange]

There are definitely some slow bits

[@goldenageofdinosaurs7192]

All the Pretty Horses is probably my favorite book of all time. I have read it in my 20’s, 30’s & 40’s. Each time I get something different from it & each time I come out loving the book. The entire Border Trilogy is fantastic. Every once in awhile, I’ll pick up All the Pretty Horses & read the opening paragraph, and I’ll fantasize for a second or two about being able to write like that..😞

[@TomOrange]

It is a very special book! I really need to keep reading the trilogy

[@becauseimdumb9166]

Agree it’s a great book. Only read it three years ago and you reminded me how great it is. I couldn’t have done all that at 16, I don’t think, but quite enjoyed their adventure.

[@TomOrange]

16 year old me would have liked to think he could have but in reality no way

[@rickyv3042]

Great review! You've inspired me to consider giving the book another read. I wasn't particularly fond of it compared to other McCarthy novels. My main issue was that I started reading it expecting a love story, so I was overly focused on that aspect. If I had approached it as an 'adventurous coming-of-age tale,' I think I would have enjoyed it much more.

[@TomOrange]

Glad I could help reset the expectations!

[@jordonvh91]

Definitely continue with The Border Trilogy (The Crossing, and Cities of the Plain). And I can't recommend Suttree highly enough, a very different feel from McCarthy but easily my favorite of his.

[@TomOrange]

Thanks for the rec! I will 100% be continuing at some point soon

[@Johanna_reads]

This was my third favorite book of 2023, and I loved what you had to say about the emotional range! I know you said that you weren’t familiar with the Southwest, but I grew up close to the regions mentioned, and my dad grew up on a ranch in northern Mexico (hunting jackrabbits and rattlesnakes). The town where he lived is mentioned in this book and The Crossing. I had some great conversations with my parents that added to what I read. It was clear to me that McCarthy lived and breathed the setting and culture on both sides of the border. Even if he didn’t live through that period, I felt completely transported. He also got the beauty and variation of the desert setting (rather than just dirt and tumbleweeds), so I can at least say his settings were far from boring for me. Haha! Glad you loved it!

[@TomOrange]

Thats so cool you have such a real family connection with the book! Hunting jackrabbits and rattlesnakes. I bet your dad has some stories

[@Johanna_reads]

@@TomOrange I really need to start recording him when I visit! 😄

[@valliyarnl]

Buying this tomorrow

[@TomOrange]

When you get around to reading it you’ll have to let me know what you think!

[@i2su405]

Just ordered this after finishing Blood Meridian. Hope it can live up to my very high expectations

[@TomOrange]

Hope you enjoy!

[@siwelify]

This is a personal favorite of mine also. You should read Blood Meridian.

[@TomOrange]

I have! I had an okay time with it. I think its something I would need to re-read to really appreciate

[@siwelify]

@@TomOrange I would say I loved Blood Meridian but I still find it exceptional.

[@bartsbookspace]

I’m about 100 pages in and I Love it. The book transported me to that time/place. I’m living vicariously through the characters. Ok, maybe not through Blevins, don’t want to be Blevins. I haven’t figured him out yet. Btw, if you have not yet read Lonesome Dove, drop what ever you’re doing and read it, Now! It’s one of my favorite (non SF) books of all time. And it’s set in 1870’s so the time fits the story perfectly.

[@TomOrange]

Lonesome Dove has been on my list for years. Ill be very interested in what you think about the rest of the book!

[@bartsbookspace]

@@TomOrangeThis is a sign! 😂 Read Lonesome Dove, it’s epic. I’m pretty sure this one (All the pretty horses) will to be very high on my list at the end of the year.

[@tgibridays]

You've definitely piqued my interest where I previously didn't really have any interest in picking this one up. We'll see. I haven't ever read a Western before.

[@TomOrange]

Have you read anything from McCarthy?

[@tgibridays]

@@TomOrange I read The Road and thought it was good, not amazing.

[@drizzt8965]

Start with Louis L'Amour's stand alones.

[@Boxer309]

As you suggested, 'All The Pretty Horses' is indeed part of a series. It is the first book of 'The Border Trilogy', followed up by 'The Crossing', and ending with 'Cities of the Plain'. As good as 'All The Pretty Horses' is, 'The Crossing' is regarded by many as being even better, and I agree. Other McCarthy novels that must be mentioned here are, 'Suttree', 'Blood Meridian', and 'Outer Dark'. Amazing books, IMO.👍

[@TomOrange]

I have not read Suttree or Outer Dark yet!

[@TKTalksBooks]

Five star read for me.

[@TomOrange]

Love to hear it!

[@dlasis]

I just read Blood Meridian and gave it no stars. LOL

[@TomOrange]

I was not a huge fan of Blood Merdian either