W&D Revisited: Review of Cormac McCarthy’s “No Country for Old Men”
by Miles Raymer
2022 Update:
Just shy of ten years since I first read it, No Country for Old Men is every bit as grim as I remember, and then some. One thing shifted for me on my second reading: I used to think of this book as an ultra-gritty crime story, but this time around, it felt more like a horror novel. Llewellyn Moss and Carla Jean are horrified by his inability to turn away from his fate, Sheriff Bell is horrified by what the world has become and what it may yet become, and Anton Chigurh is the horror itself––the bottomless black maw into which America is slowly but inevitably crumbling.
Original Review from 2012:
Exceptional book. I liked this much better than Blood Meridian, even though I’d say the latter is technically superior. This book displayed much simpler language without loosing the ability to make me furrow my brow in all the right ways. I especially loved Sheriff Bell’s internal monologues that opened each chapter. The writing is strong and simple and thought provoking, and McCarthy uses those moments to tackle very difficult ideas in an open, questioning voice that shies away from being dogmatic while still putting forth a strong moral foundation for Bell’s character. Also, in general, this book contains some of the best dialogue I’ve ever read.
Another thought I had after reading this was that the Coen Brothers’ screenplay based on this book may be one of the best book to film adaptations of all time. They captured the feel of the novel perfectly and stayed as true to the story as anyone could hope. I didn’t feel like the small differences between the book and film detracted from my experience of either one.
I always have a hard time figuring out the messages behind McCarthy’s books because they are all so well written but then when you get to the end and see light at the end of the tunnel, the tunnel collapses and kills everyone. What’s the message: There is no hope in the world? Nothing matters? Life is meaningless? Maybe that’s just a style he developed because it gets him good reviews and it sells books and in person he’s a total Pollyanna. But yeah, his writing is so good that I always read them even though I know what I’m getting myself into. I really felt that way about The Road. It was so good, and I was really invested in the characters, then at the end he just had to make it depressing and deliver a gut punch. .
Hi Todd! Thanks for taking the time to read my review and leave this comment. I totally agree with you. I always know I’m in for a bit of self-flagellation when I pick up one of McCarthy’s books, but I keep coming back from time to time because his prose and storytelling are so masterful.