Cormac McCarthy is a damn fine writer. He’s also a very disturbing one.
Child of God is one of his older books (1973), and tells the story of Lester Ballard, a lonely and erstwhile Tennessee hick who loses his home to live a vagrant life in the mountains. Lester comes across a dead couple in a car. It’s at this point he realises, for the first time in his life, that he can have a woman. After this, Lester satisfies his perverse lust by becoming a serial killer.
This is not a comfortable book to read (but then, most of McCarthy’s books aren’t). He eloquently describes Ballard’s dark decline with humour, compassion and a frightening edge that makes for gripping reading.
Child of God is well worth a look for anyone who enjoys exemplary writing; it’s a chilling and almost apocalyptic tale of the American South.
I think I read Cormac McCarthy at uni while studying creative writing. Ring a bell? This sounds confronting but fascinating. Thanks for sharing.
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No worries. I enjoy confronting readers with fascinating opportunities to share ๐
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Great review. I just followed you
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Hey, thanks! Iโll follow you, too! ๐
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Thanka for sharing ๐๐๐
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No worries! Iโm a sharing kinda guy ๐
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Itโs a savage, brilliant novel with some of finest descriptions Iโve ever encountered.
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McCormack is an amazing writer. I just finished โThe Sunset Limitedโ, his stage play: another masterwork. ๐
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Man, this sounds like a good read
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It sure is. Itโs short too, so youโll finish it quickly ๐
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