Okay, so yeah, I finished Cormac McCarthy's new book, "The Passenger." It is the first of a two book story. The second one, Stella Maris, I am currently reading as I write this.
So two things right off the bat. In this review, there will be spoilers. So if you have not yet read this book and have plans to do so, and do not want to read or hear about any spoilers, than this is a warning to stop reading this review.
Yes, there will be spoilers ahead.
Also, I wanted to write this particular blog entry before reading or watching any reviews of this book. I have read some other works by Cormac McCarthy before this one. And while there are some similarities between this one and some of those other books, it feels that this book is very different than other McCarthy books that came before. For one, it is not quite as fixated with constant violence, although there is nevertheless some violence in this book. It is difficult for me to explain why or how without going into spoilers, but while there is some violence, it felt a lot more toned down in this book than in some of his previous works.
"The Passenger" is a very interesting read. It is difficult to imagine another writer managing to fit some serious philosophical questions - particularly relating to human destructiveness and the likelihood of some future apocalypse - mixed with some very advanced discussion of scientific and mathematical theories, along with questions about when human consciousness and knowledge, as we understand it, actually begins (there are some thoughts about babies and their thinking that I had never heard or thought of before), and some serious questions regarding the Kennedy assassination, all within a compelling story of a man (Bobby Western) haunted by his mysterious and perhaps not altogether healthy (although we are not given too many specifics) love of his troubled sister, who is now deceased. He is also haunted by the troubling legacy of his brilliant father, who we learn played a key role in developing atomic power, which of course now threatens the entire world.
The main character is Bobby Western. We meet him as he is diving in the water to find the remains of a recent plane crash. But there is somebody missing (hence, the title of the book) which remains an unsolved mystery. Western is interesting, and while we might be tempted to consider him rather independent, we learn that, in fact, independence is merely an illusion in a world where government surveillance is growing ever more powerful and invasive. Western is eventually pursued by the IRS, and has to run and alter his entire lifestyle to go into hiding. He tries to find ways to survive and obtain money, and thinks of ways to possibly emigrate to a foreign country somewhere. Through it all, we learn more and more about his sister, who was brilliant, yet who also had disturbing visits by characters who only she saw. Eventually, Bobby himself gets paid a visit by the most distinctive such character, simply known as "The Kid." But "The Kid" is himself quite mysterious and puzzling. He antagonizes, yet he is not really human, having fins and other indicators that, in fact, he is another kind of a creature altogether.
First of all, as you surely have guessed already with this preview (and not surprisingly, if you know anything about McCarthy), this is not a typical book. There is a story here, of course. But it is not linear in any real, typical or predictable sense. And yet, in point of fact, many feel (myself included) that the deviations from the story help to make McCarthy's works very interesting and unique. While this is hardly what I would consider a "typical" McCarthy work (not even sure if there is such a thing, truth be told), this a very compelling, albeit admittedly an unusual, book.
Sprinkled throughout the book are some really deep questions and/or thoughts, which of course is part of the reason that many believe McCarthy ranks as arguably the greatest living American writer today. Personally, I also felt that McCarthy was exploring his own mortality in this one. Again, I cannot exactly put my finger on why, or where specifically in his writing here I got the impression. But that was definitely something that I felt while reading this.
Also, perhaps quite typical of McCarthy's writing, it is dark. There are predictions about the future, about where humanity is headed, and they are not bright or rosy. Indeed, McCarthy sure seems to feel like we are headed towards disaster - a point in which I personally actually agree with him on - and that it is more a question of when, rather than if. He does not predict the precise manner or a specific hour. But several times, characters in this book seem resigned to the inevitability of some kind of horrible fate that awaits us, and which, of course, we ourselves will be responsible for.
All in all, a solid book. Not an easy read, and certainly not a joyful one. If you like happy endings, or more upbeat books, or the popular thrillers or romances or such, then this will not be for you. If nothing else, McCarthy's works are thought-provoking at the very least. And this one really will make you think at times. It is more than just a story and, again, I felt that you could sense McCarthy thinking about his own mortality in these writings. Read it and see if you agree.
Overall, recommended, so long as you know what you are getting into whenever you pick up some work by Cormac McCarthy!
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