Initial impressions, Suttree, by Cormac McCarthy, August 2019

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

Welcome to the world of Cormac McCarthy.

[Sara]

I have read him before, Tom, but I think Suttree is even more raw than the others. I have danced around the idea of reading No Country for Old Men because I figured if the movie was that hard to swallow the book would be even worse.

He is one of the few writers who use foul language and gory detail but still retain my respect, and I think that is because it is never gratuitous. He isn't writing to shock us, he is writing to show us.

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

I didn't feel Sutures was as raw and violent as others. I haven't read Child of God or Blood Meridian yet, nor No Country for Old Men. But I agree that he's not being gratuitous with his violence and language, simply making a point. He's one of those authors that make you understand their genius, without being able to pinpoint how.

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

Suttree. Auto-correct gets on my last nerve.

[Sara]

Your last statement (not the one about auto correct-lol) says it all. I realize while reading that this book contains a lot of the things that normally make me walk away from a book (not the least of which is cruelty to animals), but they are necessary to the story, to the understanding of these characters. He is a genius, and you cannot, and should not, lump him in with others.

I have also not read any of the three you mentioned, but even The Road, which did not lack in stark moments, did not seem to me to be as in your face as this is. Perhaps it is the grounding in reality here. The Road, being apocalyptic, and this being about a city and a life that you feel absolutely did exist.

I read The Border Trilogy quite a long time ago, but it does not rest in my mind as being this harsh either. I remember All the Pretty Horses having moments of humor. This book has humor as well, but it is deeper and even the humor seems to me to be ironic and therefore sorrowful.

[Judi]

From what I have read about Cormac McCarthy's life Suttree seems somewhat autobiographical. McCarthy was raised in a family of privilege and educated in his early years at Catholic schools in Knocksville. Suttree emotes a certain amount of both elements in his character. McCarthy married rather young and he and his bride lived in a rustic shack in the woods, hills near Knocksville Tennessee. Strictly my observation, vibe . . . Cormac McCarthy was married three times and seems a little prickly to me. He is a very talented writer and I love his work. Gifted folks, like Frank Lloyd Wright, can be difficult. Just a few random thoughts.

[Sara]

I sincerely hope that very little of what happens to Suttree ever really happened to McCarthy. I'd hate to think he was helping a friend dispose of a body! :) He certainly used a lot of real places in Knoxville in this book, and they are from the seedier side of Knoxville, so I'm guessing he spent some real time there.

I think you are right that many gifted people are difficult. J.D. Salinger comes to mind. There are a lot of instances where the genius also has almost anti-social tendencies. I do not know enough about McCarthy's personal life to know if he is one of those. I will say that I shy away from thinking that a writer and his work are one and the same.

[Judi]

Sara wrote: "I sincerely hope that very little of what happens to Suttree ever really happened to McCarthy. I'd hate to think he was helping a friend dispose of a body! :) He certainly used a lot of real places..."

My favorite writer of all time, John Kennedy Toole, "Confederacy of Dunces". He had "issues" and gassed himself to death with his head in an oven. His mother, Thelma Toole, finally got his novel published after he committed suicide. Gifted folks can be "off" and "difficult". That said, I am lovin' Suttree!

[Libby]

The only problem with reading a book slowly is the dreaded 'stall out,' which is what has happened to me. I simply cannot pick this book back up. I'm sure it will roll around again, and I will try next time. I know it's a beautiful book; it's just not happening for me right now.

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

The same thing happened to me the first time, Libby. Second time was the charm. Forcing yourself to read anything is the pits.

[Libby]

Diane wrote: "The same thing happened to me the first time, Libby. Second time was the charm. Forcing yourself to read anything is the pits."

I'll look forward to another try in the future.

[John of Canada]

I started this about 20 years ago and it kept sneaking off and hiding on my to be read shelf.I am now half way(almost)through it and carrying it with me wherever I go.It truly is a remarkable book.

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

Sometimes you have to get to a point where you can appreciate a certain book or author.