A Bit More on Cormac McCarthy's "The Passenger" & "Stella Maris"

Yes, I know that I already posted a book review for both of these recent books by Cormac McCarthy. But some of the discussions and ideas within those books were just truly fascinating, and rather blew my mind. So I really did not want to miss the opportunity to elaborate on them, even if it's just within this blog, where I hardly expect any real responses. In other words, it might be possible that I am talking to myself (something else that was mentioned in one of the two recent McCarthy books, although at the moment, I cannot put my finger on which one precisely it was in, but leaning towards the latter one). 

Now as usual, there needs to be a warning that, in discussing some of the content of these two books (particularly the second one) in detail, there will be spoilers. So yes, if you have not read one, or possibly both, of these books, there will be spoilers ahead, so be warned. 

Last warning: Spoiler Alert!!! 

There are so many fascinating thoughts and reflections in both books, but this is perhaps particularly true, again, of the last one, "Stella Maris." On many levels, it reminded me of another book, and another author. Specifically, I am referring to "Ishmael," by Daniel Quinn. When I first read that book - it's shocking now how many years ago that was, since it still feels fresh! - it blew me away. I was sure that almost anyone else who read it would feel the same way, but that just was not the case. One complaint that I got from someone - it shocked me at the time, admittedly! - was that "nothing happens" in the book. Are you kidding me? My God, the power of the ideas were enough to shake my own understanding of history, and of humanity itself! What more can you ask of a book? How can you possibly claim that it is "boring" or that "nothing happens?"

However, I guess that I just had not seen or even expected that particular reaction. I mean, technically, it is true that not much happens in the book itself, in terms of the story. After all, it is a book where two beings (one human, and the other not) simply sit down and talk. Obviously, what they are talking about is the story. That seems obvious enough to me. But yeah, if you are used to more conventional stories, than it feels like "nothing" happens between the two major characters, other than possibly their own internal transformation as a result of the content of the discussion. So be it.

Well, "Stella Maris" is similar in that regard. While reading this, I was quite fascinated. Yet, that one guy in particular whom I had lent "Ishmael" to popped in my mind more than once. And I could not help but wonder if he would also find this rather explosive book "boring," as well. Why? Because he likely would say the same thing, that "nothing happens" in the book. It's two people (two conventional human beings, that is) just sitting down and talking literally the entire book. 

Of course, the love between brother and sister in these two books is of the unhealthy variety. We get a much clearer picture of it in the second book, and find out that the sister was the one who decided that they both might as well resign themselves to it, give in to it. Move to Europe, where nobody would know them, and be lovers. She wanted to have his child. And we learn that, tempted as he was, Bobby was the one who backed down and said that they could not do this.

Obviously, then, it's the content that makes the book. Because while "nothing" is happening with either of the two major characters (well, pretty much there are only two characters in the last book), there is actually a lot going on, in terms of what is being discussed, and the ramifications of it. That, of course, is the point of the book. 

And so, that is what I wish to discuss a little bit more here. Some of the ideas were just very difficult to simply leave uncommented on. The idea that babies crying being contrary to what creatures do in nature, for example. It is true. And so Cormac McCarthy appears to be rationalizing that there is a possibility that babies have this ingrained sense of justice, or fairness, within them, and that when they are crying at seemingly trivial things (like small pains or discomforts), they are actually expressing rage at the injustice of the world. Wow!

Also, that idea that our impending doom with some coming apocalypse or another only seeming to b a tragedy to us, but not a tragedy once we're gone? To whom would it be a tragedy? Pretty powerful and sobering thoughts, albeit admittedly a bit depressing. 

Disturbing as this was, the mixed guilt and almost admiration that they seem to have for their father, who played a prominent role in the Manhattan Project and developing the atom bomb, seems to have even larger ramifications. We get some truly awful details as to the extent of how horrific those bombings were. And it is implied quite clearly that, although we may not know it yet, this discovery of atomic weapons might be right up there with our discovery or control of fire, and possibly even more important, although that remains to be seen. McCarthy ends this second book with the sister, Alicia, asking to hold the doctor's hand, because that is what people do when they are waiting for the end of something. It is difficult, if not impossible, not to think that he is clearly talking about us, about our modern society. We are the ones awaiting the end of something. It sure seems to be clear that what we are waiting for is the end of our modern society through some kind of violent apocalypse, which McCarthy sure seems to feel is inevitable. 

Do you agree or disagree? Why or why not? Are there important points that you think I may have missed? Anything that perhaps I outright got wrong, at least in your opinion? Please feel free to share your opinions - preferably remaining respectful - here. I would love to discuss these two McCarthy works further.

Cormac McCarthy, 89, has a new novel — two, actually. And they’re almost perfect by Carolyn Kellogg,  Oct. 21, 2022:

https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/books/story/2022-10-21/cormac-mccarthy-89-has-a-new-novel-two-actually-and-theyre-almost-perfect?fbclid=IwAR2Au5ykIDbG5Ak_Gu5UtQIHcPDVoqJ5qh56b7vqjcg35ZvPaNTEseGov0o