In this small book, the darkest pessimism confronts vitality and the will to live in a dialectical battle. Conceived to be presented in a theater, it contains very inspiring lines about life or religion. However, given the short length of the story and the fact that it touches on some themes repeatedly, I have lowered the score.

The book seems to be a fascinating exploration of the human psyche, pitting the forces of darkness against the forces of light. The use of dialectics adds an interesting layer to the narrative, as it shows the struggle between opposing ideas and emotions.

Despite its flaws, the book still has some redeeming qualities. The inspiring lines about life and religion can provide readers with food for thought and perhaps even a glimmer of hope in the face of pessimism. It would be interesting to see how this book would be received if it were presented on stage, as the theatrical medium could bring out the full potential of its themes and characters.

Have you ever been stoned? I don't just mean a lightheaded, 'who-has-the-munchies?' kind of high. I'm talking about being completely and utterly stoned. Where every single song seems like the best song ever written, life appears as the simplest journey that can be navigated, and you think you've figured out that there are no secrets to the universe, only questions to which you have all the answers? (It's all so simple! Ha!) Yes? Good. Then you've already experienced what this book is like. Let me explain, but with some personal insights.

I spent many of my years in various states of the above, sitting on porches, balconies, and in backyards, engaged in discussions about epistemology. In this 'heightened' state, a friend (or several, really) and I would, with the tenacity of wild butterflies, tear apart the entire illusory world into its component parts. We, alone and fearless, would scrape away the artifice of the mainstream world and rebel against the norms. A favorite topic was God and atheism, and things like'soul, man' (as in Sam & Dave). You know, the kind of deep stuff that kids think about. About as deep as your ankles. Chances are, if you liked to cloud your frontal lobe like I did, you had similar moments of profound thought – that metaphysical midpoint between mutual masturbation and Dark Side of the Moon.

Well, that's exactly what this book reads like. Two guys chatting about God and faith like a couple of stoned, rhetorical teenagers or twenty-somethings. There are some platitudes presented that are painfully obvious sub-philosophical musings of the Osbornian 'what if God was one of us?' variety. The educated, atheistic, and professorial 'White' (yes, he's the white guy) engages in an ontological debate around the table with, you guessed it, the ex-con ghetto dweller and true believer 'Black' (who, seriously, is black). I'm sure there's some deep social commentary going on here, but, then again, I'm also sure that I can make plants and flowers photosynthesize with my mind.

Some extra points for the mention of White Wickedness and heresy. However, points are deducted for the soul food dinner. It's not that The Sunset Limited is necessarily a bad play, but given the subject matter, it's at best insubstantial (and at worst, offensive to drug-addled youngsters). It's a case of dramaturgical daydreaming that is only recognized because of the author's name. Still, there are worse ways to spend 45 minutes. Honest work, for example, comes to mind immediately.

To put it another way:

“Shall I despise you that your colorless tears
made rainbows in your lashes, and you forgot to weep?

Lord no, that's not from this book, but I found myself wondering the same thing about it.

The darker picture is always the correct one.

When you peruse the annals of the world's history, you are delving into a saga rife with bloodshed, greed, and folly. The import of these events is simply impossible to overlook or dismiss.

And yet, in the face of this harsh reality, we persist in imagining that the future will somehow miraculously be different. I find myself at a loss as to why we are even still here. In all probability, our tenure on this planet will not endure for much longer.

I firmly believe that this dialogue encapsulates the profound significance of this play. It offers a quick read that is, nonetheless, replete with profound insights and commentary on life, faith, and the overwhelming human need to influence or assist others.

While it may not reach the same lofty heights as McCarthy's The Road, it is still a remarkable and engaging read that is well worth one's time and attention.

I won't explain (because I do it every time) how much I like Cormac McCarthy. It's unnecessary, considering that I praise him to everyone all the time, and just one word about him is enough.

"Sunset Limited" surprised me for several reasons - volume, structure, themes, and heroes. I have read everything that has been published in Bulgarian by McCarthy, but each book is so different from the others that when picking up the next one, you won't know what to expect.

"Sunset Limited" is small in volume (even strangely small), in which we get to know the Black and the White - the only heroes. Before the reader, two radically different points of view will be revealed, where there is no room and no option for compromise. The saying "You can't tell black from white" holds true here in full force.

"Sunset Limited" is a novel written in a dramatic form. It is mentioned in many places that it can also be taken as a play. The whole book is constructed as a dialogue between the main heroes, who in McCarthy's typical style have no names. After a random encounter between them in the New York subway, when one saves the other from suicide, the two meet in a room. There will follow one of the most memorable conversations you have ever witnessed (even if it was just by reading it).

The entire review can be seen here.

Another thought provoking work from McCarthy.

His works always have a unique charm that can deeply attract readers.

This particular work is no exception.

It presents a complex and profound story that makes people think about various aspects of life.

The characters in the story are vividly portrayed, and their actions and decisions drive the plot forward.

The setting of the story is also very detailed, creating a realistic atmosphere that allows readers to immerse themselves in it.

McCarthy's writing style is简洁而有力, and he is able to convey deep emotions and ideas with just a few words.

Overall, this work is a must-read for fans of McCarthy and anyone who enjoys thought-provoking literature.

\\"Libro anomalo nella produzione di Mc Carthy. It abandons the typically American scenarios in favor of a bare room and two men (the White and the Black) who confront each other in a no-holds-barred duel on the topic that matters most to us: what are we doing here? And, above all, what separates us from a direct encounter with the Sunset Limited?\\" (Thanks, Cormac)

\\"The greatness of this text by McCarthy lies precisely in the fact that the two antagonists are immobile. Neither yields a centimeter of ground to the other. It is not an ideological text, it does not prove anything, it does not convince you of anything you are not already convinced of, it is not a philosophical tale as it has also been defined. Unless we are talking about philosophical pessimism, recognizing that here on Earth there are two very distinct visions (the white and the black, again...), both lived as authentic by their respective characters, which can never meet.\\" (Thanks, Federico)

Commento collage

This work by McCarthy presents a unique departure from his usual style. The setting of a simple room intensifies the confrontation between the two men, highlighting the essence of their debate. The lack of ideological stance makes the text more thought-provoking, allowing readers to form their own opinions. The immobility of the antagonists symbolizes the unyielding nature of their opposing views. It is a powerful exploration of the human condition and the divide that exists between different perspectives.

Propuesta reflexiva sobre fondo de intentos estériles.

Genre. Novel (in fact, it is a play, but you know that on this blog we try to limit the classifications within an order).

What it tells us. Two people, identified as White and Black, are sitting at a table in the apartment of the second one. The second one seems worried about preventing the first one from leaving there. And it is that White was about to throw himself onto the tracks of the metropolitan railway, specifically under the wheels of the Sunset Limited. However, Black prevented it and now tries, through conversation, to get the self-destructive ideas that White is determined to carry out out of his head.

If you want to know more about this book without spoilers, visit:

http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...

This story presents a profound and thought-provoking scenario. The interaction between White and Black is intense and captivating. Black's efforts to save White from his self-destruction are admirable. The description of the incident where White almost throws himself onto the railway tracks adds a sense of urgency and drama. The conversation that follows serves as a crucial element in understanding the characters' mindsets and the underlying themes of the story. It makes the reader wonder about the nature of despair, the power of human connection, and the possibility of redemption. Overall, this is a story that has the potential to engage and触动 readers on a deep level.

*big sigh*

I truly appreciate the objectivity of the author in presenting two contrasting perspectives on such a sensitive topic. It is not an easy task to handle a subject with such delicacy and fairness. By doing so, the author allows the readers to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the issue at hand.

It is essential to have different viewpoints when discussing sensitive matters as it helps to break down the barriers of偏见 and narrow-mindedness. The author's approach in presenting both sides of the argument is a refreshing change from the typical one-sided discussions that often dominate such topics.

Moreover, the author's use of language and tone is also值得称赞. The article is written in a clear and concise manner, making it accessible to a wide range of readers. The author does not use any inflammatory or offensive language, which could have potentially derailed the discussion.

In conclusion, I believe that the author has done an excellent job in presenting a balanced and objective view of a sensitive topic. I look forward to reading more of their work in the future.

This was an excellent little piece of reading material that I completed some time ago.

In a sense, it was rather bleak, yet it managed to hold my attention firmly throughout. It was extremely tense, filled with profound discussions and beautifully poetic turns of phrase.

It makes for a great read that can be finished in just one or two sittings. However, it's not overly uplifting, so if you're in a low mood, it might not be the best choice.

Overall, it was a captivating and engaging read that offered a unique perspective and a thought-provoking experience.

Despite its somewhat somber tone, it had its own charm and managed to leave a lasting impression on me.

I would recommend it to those who enjoy a good, intense read that challenges their thinking and offers a different kind of literary experience.

It's not for everyone, but for those who appreciate the power of words and the ability of a story to draw them in, it's definitely worth checking out.

4.75 ⭐️

Sunset Limited is an absolute powerhouse of theological existential by-play. It reads like a screenplay playing out vividly in your mind, which isn't a surprise considering that's how it was originally intended. While carrying the McCarthy style, its tonality, pacing, and narrative feel like a departure for the literary giant.

What I mean by it being 'a play in your mind' is that the novel format, despite being influenced by its 2006 release as a play, movie, etc., still manages to read like something entirely different, which was truly stunning to me. Cormac may have his flaws in the contemporary world, but this effort cuts through the current climate and hits hard where it matters most. It balances the mind and heart, making me feel the need to take a break many times, yet I simply couldn't!

Although the characters' backgrounds are only briefly touched on, by the end, one feels as if they have known them not only in a character sense but also on a personal level. This was most touching and engaging, and I was absolutely ensorcelled from start to finish. You can make of that what you will, but despite all his perceived faults, CM writes a damn good character-fueled drama that makes you cogitate in a manner few others ever do.

Aspettiamo tutti Godot, chiunque o qualsiasi cosa sia. Tuttavia, come si sa, Godot ha il brutto vizio di non arrivare mai. E, nel mentre, noi ci perdiamo. In modo inevitabile. Tutti. In un certo modo o nell'altro.

Questo elemento contraddittorio, proposto da McCarthy, è davvero impressionante. È l'unica prova narrativa di questo autore che mi abbia completamente convinto, fino ad ora. Ripete i temi sempre cari a lui, ma qui lo fa, finalmente, con un'evidente efficacia.

Non perdete il film che ne è stato tratto, con lo stesso titolo, interpretato da Tommy Lee Jones e Samuel L. Jackson e diretto dallo stesso Tommy Lee Jones:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zpb42...

Vi consiglio entrambi. Il libro e il film offrono una visione unica e coinvolgente di questo concetto affascinante. La storia di attesa e di perdita ci fa riflettere sulla nostra stessa esistenza e sulle nostre speranze. Sono entrambi lavori che meritano di essere scoperti e apprezzati.

A profound philosophical dialogue unfolds between belief/hope and truth/despair. McCarthy presents this in his finest form, with the story being richly layered. It delves deep into the human psyche, exploring the delicate balance between holding onto belief and hope in the face of harsh truths and the ever-looming specter of despair. The characters in the story are thrust into a world where they must grapple with these opposing forces, their choices and actions influenced by the pull of both. As the narrative progresses, we witness the ebb and flow of their emotions, the struggle between what they want to believe and what they know to be true. McCarthy's masterful storytelling allows us to experience this internal conflict along with the characters, making us question our own beliefs and hopes in the face of life's uncertainties.