On the Southern Literary Trail discussion

Comments on this board are made with the assumption that readers have finished the book and June include spoilers.

At the beginning of this one, I was picturing Lester Ballard as Ernest T. Bass from the Andy Griffith show. The physical description and mental deficiencies seemed perfect for the character. Then things turned dark, but I couldn't get Ernest T. Bass out of my head, so now if I watch re-runs of the show, I'll have to skip the shows with him as a character. Category of unintended consequences. I'm with Tom, the inside of McCarthy's head must be a strange place indeed. As much as I love his writing, I don't think I would even want to be his neighbor.

As Donald ray Pollock once said, “I tried writing nice and it just didn’t work.” Never, ever thought Ernest T Bass.

Ernest was little and weird and stupid, and that's how I pictured Lester, without the humor.

I wouldn’t worry about McCarthy, but perhaps we should worry about the folks who read McCarthy (and really love/like it)😉. You understand why I say The Road is cormac’s fairy tale after read this and Outer Dark?

I certainly do.

I'm glad McCarthy puts all his demons in his books. What I find so frightening about all of this, is that I could actually see Lester existing. In the beginning, you almost feel a sympathy of sorts for him, with the false accusations. That touch of sympathy evaporated pretty quickly.

Javier Bardem from No Country for Old Men was the face in my mind while reading. Stone cold.

And, yes, Laura, I was a little worried about myself when I realized I was giving this an "I really liked it" rating.

No country is on my master list for this year. I joke that some books need book covers in public to avoid questions. What do you tell someone at a Disney Resort Pool about William Gay’s Twilight? “No, it’s not about vampires?!?!” 🤷‍♀️ I do appreciate Trail members understanding the love for some of our book selections.

I feel the same about thinking there are people like this, you see things on the news every once in a while, like Jeffrey Dahmar, and realize they really do exist. Yet I had to give it 4 stars because it was McCarthy. Had it been a true crime book I would have thrown it across the room before getting very far.

LOL. I wouldn't want to explain Twilight to anyone either, perhaps a cover made from a paper bag--we did that in school and drew all over it.

All righty then. I made it to page 37 and that's as far as I'm going.
I'm not sure what's with me. I can handle violence to people by people but not towards animals. I have my limits.
I will probably leave this earth never having read a McCarthy.
I did watch the film version of No Country, does that earn any points?

Totally understand, Cathrine. Not for everyone.

I don't think reading McCarthy is a requirement for a long and successful life Cathrine. But making wise choices about what you can deal with is. You get points for trying, and for giving up.