McCarthy has an extraordinary talent for working with the same themes, the same land, and the same paths to create infinite stories.

His ability to breathe new life into familiar elements is truly remarkable. It's as if he can see the hidden potential within them and bring it to the surface in the most captivating ways.

That's why I'm giving this work 5 stars. Maybe in a year's time, my perspective might change and I'll downgrade it to 4 stars. But for now, it just feels like it couldn't have been written any better.

After all, stars are just a subjective measure, and there's no real magic in them. What matters is the impact that the story has on the reader, and in this case, it's a profound one.

McCarthy's work has the power to transport us to another world, to make us feel and think in ways we never thought possible. It's a testament to his skill as a writer and his deep understanding of the human condition.

Whether you're a fan of his previous works or new to his writing, this is definitely a book worth reading. You won't be disappointed.

In my personal opinion, this was an outstanding read. The story bore a resemblance to an American Western, featuring a well-structured plot that revolved around money, chases, shoot-outs, and the dry and desolate backdrop of West Texas. I had the opportunity to watch the movie recently, and it proved to be quite beneficial as it offered visual cues while I was reading.

The reading experience required some adaptation due to the author's distinct writing style. McCarthy adopted a minimalist approach, characterized by short and concise dialogue, basic punctuation, and a rough and colloquial vernacular in the speech patterns of the characters. Some examples of his stylized speech include phrases like 'I was fixin to', 'Them over yonder aint Mexican', and 'Don't got no'.

Overall, I truly relished this book. I would highly recommend it to anyone who has a penchant for a good suspense and action-packed story. Thanks!

Cormac McCarthy is the quintessential American author.

He writes about the American West, not to glorify it or perpetuate some ideology about "the land of the free". Instead, his poetically crafted novels meditate on greed, power, human fallibility, cruelty, and the devastating randomness of destiny. There is no rectifying karma in his books, and often no redemption.

This guy renders his stories in an entrancingly beautiful, highly recognizable language that shows short, clear sentences can convey immense complexity of thought.

"No Country for Old Men" is both a Western and an Anti-Western. Set at the US-Mexican border in 1980, protagonist Llewelyn Moss stumbles upon a botched drug deal, steals the drug money, and hides it in the trailer he shares with his wife Carla Jean.

Stricken with regret for leaving the only survivor, he returns and is chased by those seeking the money, beginning an epic cat-and-mouse game with the psychopathic contract killer Anton Chigurh. Sheriff Ed Tom Bell is also on the case, trying to stop the mayhem.

If you think this is a typical good guy vs. bad guy Western, you're wrong. The plot challenges the reader's expectations and the conventions of the Western genre. Moss risks his life and his wife's for money, and it all goes wrong when he feels compassion.

Chigurh coldly kills with a cattle gun, flips a coin to decide life or death, and compares himself to God. Sheriff Bell ponders the changing world but has a dark secret from WW II.

In many vignettes, Sheriff Bell reveals the book's theme, but it's not just about an aging man not understanding the world. There are parallels between Bell and Chigurh, and both believe the past is always present.

The title refers to W.B. Yeats' poem "Sailing to Byzantium", and you should check it out after reading.

Regarding the book's style, I love McCarthy's writing. I read a hilarious article about the Nobel Prize, and it said McCarthy won't win because of his mysterious style. I think that's silly.

This isn't the best McCarthy, but he's still one of my favorites and far ahead of most. I'm still disappointed Dylan got the Nobel instead of Philip Roth or McCarthy. So read Cormac McCarthy, he's fantastic.

While out shooting antelope, Llewellyn Moss unexpectedly stumbles upon a grisly crime scene.

There are three trucks, all riddled with bullet holes, and numerous bodies scattered about.

Upon closer inspection, Moss discovers a significant quantity of heroin and a briefcase filled with over two million dollars.

Unable to resist the temptation, Moss takes the money and soon finds himself a wanted man.

The question then becomes: Can Moss survive long enough to actually enjoy the ill-gotten gains?

This was my very first encounter with a McCarthy book, and it's highly likely that it won't be the last.

I was completely engrossed and devoured the entire book in a single sitting.

The clipped writing style truly propelled the story forward, at times reminding me of the works of Jim Thompson and at other times of Flannery O'Connor.

As Moss and Chigurh race towards the climax, the tension steadily builds.

Sheriff Bell does his utmost to piece together the puzzle and prevent more people from losing their lives.

A recurring theme throughout the novel is that of choices, highlighting how one's decisions ultimately shape who they are.

I initially wanted to give this book a full five stars, but unfortunately, I couldn't for two reasons.

The primary reason being the lack of quotation marks and apostrophes.

Was McCarthy's keyboard somehow defective?

A little more dialogue attribution would have been greatly appreciated, especially in the later chapters where Moss engages in conversations with other characters.

The other gripe I had was that the last fifty or sixty pages didn't quite live up to the promise of the rest of the book.

Without spoiling too much, a rather important character meets their end in a rather unceremonious way, and it happens off screen, which makes the previous 200+ pages seem somewhat of a waste.

All things considered, "No Country for Old Men" was still a good read, especially for those who have a penchant for a good, pulpy crime story.

It's definitely worth spending an evening with.

**No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy**

No Country for Old Men is a captivating 2005 novel penned by the renowned American author Cormac McCarthy. Interestingly, he initially conceived the story as a screenplay. The narrative is set in 1980, in the vicinity of the United States-Mexico border. It delves into the aftermath of an illegal drug deal that goes horribly wrong in the desolate backcountry of Texas.

The plot of the book, distinct from the film, intricately follows the intertwined paths of three central characters: Llewelyn Moss, Anton Chigurh, and Ed Tom Bell. These characters are set in motion by events related to the botched drug deal near the Mexican-American border in the remote Terrell County of southwest Texas.

The story is about a young and adventurous man who, while going hunting in the mountains one day, stumbles upon a scene of a drug deal gone awry. There, he finds a large amount of drugs, several dead bodies, and a suitcase full of money. He takes the money and flees, setting off a long chase between him and the person who is after the money, as well as the sheriff of the region.
The book also contains a powerful and thought-provoking passage where the sheriff reflects on a criminal he had to deal with. The criminal was a nineteen-year-old who had killed a fourteen-year-old girl. The sheriff ponders on the nature of the criminal, his actions, and the meaning of it all. He questions whether there is any hope for such a person and wonders about the true nature of evil.
This novel is a profound exploration of human nature, morality, and the consequences of our actions. It keeps the reader on the edge of their seat from start to finish, with its complex characters and thrilling plot.

No Country for Old Men is a must-read for fans of crime fiction and those interested in exploring the darker side of human nature.

Wanting to give up...

Refusing to give up...

Not knowing the meaning of giving up.

When drugs and money infiltrate a small Texas town, the soon-to-retire sheriff, Ed Tom Bell, is faced with the daunting task of solving a drug deal that has turned murderously awry. This is precisely the premise of No Country for Old Men.

A deranged hitman, Anton Chigurh (whose last name is playfully pronounced similar to "sugar"), is making Bell's final days as sheriff a living nightmare. Vietnam veteran Llewelyn Moss only exacerbates the situation. Moss stumbles upon the aftermath of the drug deal, seizes the loot, and flees. Chigurh has been hot on his trail ever since. Bell is left trailing behind them, gathering clues and pondering their true significance.

Surprisingly, I found myself rooting for all three men, including the psychotic killer, which truly frightened me. He was such a captivating "bad guy" that I didn't want to see him meet his end. The book is filled with a diverse cast of colorful and meticulously crafted characters, some as prickly as the landscape. How can I tell the landscape is thorny? Cormac McCarthy's vivid descriptions made me feel it.

The story is set in 1980. Fortunately, McCarthy refrains from overloading the narrative with excessive product placement. Instead, he uses period-appropriate props only when they are essential.

The plot is tightly constructed when necessary and allows for breathing room when possible. The action oscillates between relaxed and tense, creating a captivating rhythm. The not-completely-necessary-yet-still-enjoyable asides in the story often contain nuggets of homespun wisdom, such as "Every step you take is forever. You can't make it go away. None of it."

I watched the movie adaptation of this book some time ago, and although the book and movie share many similarities, this was still an exciting read for me. McCarthy's austere writing style may not appeal to all readers, as he eschews flowery language. However, his Spartan prose marches forward with military precision, propelling the story and delivering a victorious tale to the reader.

**2022 Re-read**

My thoughts remain quite similar to when I first read this four years ago. However, this time around, I find myself loving it even more. I've decided to up my rating to five stars, despite still having some reservations about the ending, which I think is a bit "blathering," and the excessive amount of what feels like unnecessary dwelling (it's shockingly huge). But why five stars now? I believe I've come to appreciate Sheriff Bell's parts more. I finally grasped that the book is truly about him and his (perhaps failed?) attempt to bring some good into the world, rather than just about Chigurh or Moss, as captivating as those two characters are. I also have a greater appreciation for what a remarkable book this is. It's both riveting and deeply arresting because it delves into the mystery of life. Cormac McCarthy showcases his impressive skills here, with dialogue that's simply to die for and a vision of evil that's unparalleled in all of literature.

**Original 2018 Review**

This is not a book for the faint of heart. It's not for those who hate gore or for the punctuation police. But, by golly, it's a great book. I was initially worried that it might pale in comparison to the exceptional movie version. However, after reading just three pages, I was completely in the hands of this writer. Yes, he writes without punctuation, using clipped, incomplete sentences. His style is often and easily parodied, but it didn't bother me at all. The bare, unsentimental style is a perfect fit for this ruthless 1980s cowboy story. There's almost no interiority here, meaning the author doesn't describe his characters' inner turmoil or thoughts in great detail. There's no big backstory or even much physical description. It's all about the action, the killer action, and some of the best dialogue out there, which tells us pretty much all we need to know. Llewelyn Moss stumbles upon something that doesn't belong to him (fatal mistake #1) and then makes the mistake of returning to the scene (fatal mistake #2), setting the murderous story in motion. Anton Chigurh is probably the most heartless villain ever written (if you can think of one worse, let me know!), and he's hot on Moss's trail in this vicious game of cat and mouse. When I say vicious, I mean it. This book should come with an R rating for extreme violence. The themes of randomness and chance are explored多次, as exemplified by Chigurh and his dreaded coin. The big, dark question of destiny is answered bleakly. Sheriff Bell is always a few steps behind and is the source of all interiority in the book. He's disillusioned with the world, and who can blame him after witnessing the trail left by Chigurh and his terrifying air-gun-thing. The author peppers the Sheriff's thoughts throughout the book in short, italicized chapters. They provide a moral anchor for the book, which is necessary and works for the most part, but becomes a bit too much towards the end. After all the spectacular action has concluded, when all the dead are dead and the survivors have survived, we're somehow forced to keep reading more of the Sheriff's thoughts - about how bad the world is, his experiences in the war, and other subtleties that are probably very meaningful but to which I became immune because by that point my interest had waned to a disappointed blip. The fact that this book could be so razor-sharp and then so blathering brought my review down a star. Just one star, though, because it's still SO good that it's worth reading. But be forewarned - it needs a bit of a boost towards the end.

No Country for Old Editors (Editorial Meeting in Manhattan)

In a bustling editorial meeting in Manhattan, the tension was palpable. Ed: OK, I'm recording. Let's work through your notes. This copy's for me? So how do you want to start?

CM: I sent one boy to the gaschamber at Huntsville.

Ed: Great, but "one" boy? Why not say "a" boy? Why mention the number? Are you sure?

CM: One and only one.

Ed: Has anyone ever been executed in a gaschamber in Texas?

CM: I don't know.

Ed: What if nobody has? Should we delete it?

CM: No. Let's leave it in. Keep 'em on their toes!

Ed: How did you get involved?

CM: My arrest and my testimony.

Ed: Did you ever see him again?

CM: I went up there and visited with him two or three times.

Ed: Come on. Precision! How many times?

CM: Three times.

Ed: When was the last time?

CM: The last time was the day of his execution.

Ed: Did you have to go?

CM: I didn't have to go but I did. I surely didn't want to.

The conversation continued, with Ed pointing out various details and CM sharing his experiences. There were discussions about punctuation, style, and the content of the story.

CM: He'd killed a fourteen year old girl and I can tell you right now I never did have no great desire to visit with him let alone go to his execution but I done it

Ed: Hang on what did you just do

CM: Just do what

Ed: There's no punctuation at all any more

CM: It'll be ok trust me can I go on

Ed: ok

CM: hey you're starting to get the hang of it

Ed: waddya mean

CM: you're using lower case now and a more informal tone

Ed: i guess you don't really need an editor any more

CM: no more

Ed: haha ok sure continue

CM: the papers said it was a crime of passion and he told me there wasn't no passion to it he'd been datin this girl young as she was he was nineteen and he told me that he had been plannin to kill somebody for about as long as he could remember said that if they turned him out he'd do it again said he knew he was goin to hell told it to me out of his own mouth

Ed: look can i make a suggestion

CM: sure

Ed: why don't you just play this tape edit out my bits when you do the next draft

CM: i don't know what to make of that i surely don't


This editorial meeting was not your typical one. It was filled with surprises, disagreements, and a unique style of communication between the editor and the author. As the meeting progressed, it became clear that the story they were working on was going to be a powerful and thought-provoking one.

**NO COUNTRY FOR OLD REVIEWERS**

Rayner carefully took the bolt of the Uzi and precisely slid the firing pin on. He meticulously aligned the springs and then dropped the housing in. He felt it with his hands to make sure it was seeded properly. Next, he got the barrel and firmly pushed that down. It rotated smoothly and found the notch. Meanwhile, Bryant rolled a thin cigarette, tamping the tobacco carefully, pinching off the surplus and neatly returning it to the tin. There was a dog nearby.

"You fixin to make me flip a coin on you."
"No I particular aint."
"Don’t look like it to me."
"You shouldn’t likely do this."
"Well you know how this is goin to go when you done it."
"I know they gone say I stoled it from you, I knows it. But I aint. It was the only way to do it."
"Yep. You got that right. Stole it."
"Dint stole nuthin. Likely cant be done no other way. Tried it ever which way. Dint come out right."

Rayner then eased in a new clip and slid one into the magazine. Bryant watched the barrel nervously. It was pointing directly at his gut. A dog poked its ragged ears round the plywood door. Rayner suddenly moved the barrel three inches sideways and with a quick motion, put a cartridge into the dog's brains. The dog flew in a red arc about eight feet four inches in the air and landed somewhere they couldn't see. It yowled somewhat and then it didn't make a sound anymore.
"What you shoot a damn dog for."
"Wasnt your dog."
"Yeah wasn’t my dog. Aint sayin."
"Well, it might could be emphasisin a point here. Which you don’t seem to of got."
"Well, all right. You try an write a review of No Country for Old Men without doin it like in speech and like that. I’m getting tired of sayin cant be done. I knows you done it first."
"You shouldna kindly stole it. I’s thinkin we should flip a coin on thisn but we done here."
The bullet then put a hole the size of a fair sized bag of cashew nuts in around the upper middle of Bryant's front carpicles. Blood pooled over the plastic chair legs and the rough plywood floor. Bryant's arm spasmed out onto the laptop and pressed SAVE. Rayner stepped around the dead man and went into the sun. He got into the Dodge pickup and started the engine. He let it idle for a while. He took the list from his front shirt pocket and took a pencil and crossed through Bryant’s name. He studied the next name on the list then threw the Dodge into gear.

*****

With apologies to my old GR friend Manny Rayner, who I firmly believe would never shoot a dog just to emphasise a point. I tried this where I shot Manny, and it was pretty funny, naturally, but also a little creepy assassinating a fellow reviewer, so I let him shoot me.

“You never know what worse luck your bad luck has saved you from.”

This is a statement that truly encapsulates the essence of this remarkable book. Marking it down as one of the most surprising reads of the year, it defied my initial expectations. I had anticipated a fast-paced, action-packed chase filled with violence, but what I received was so much more profound.

One fateful day, Llewellyn Moss discovers a pickup truck surrounded by a grisly scene of dead bodyguards. In the back of the truck, a fortune in heroin and two million dollars in cash remain. When Moss makes the fateful decision to take the money, he sets in motion a chain of events that unleashes a torrent of catastrophic violence, one that even the law seems powerless to contain.

I wholeheartedly adored this book. Yes, it is bleak and hopeless, but it leaves the reader with a wealth of ideas to ponder. What starts as a seemingly typical thriller about a badass hunter pursuing a regular guy who should have known better, ultimately evolves into a deep and brooding analysis of the age-old themes of fate versus free will, and good versus evil. These are themes that I have always been drawn to, which is why "East of Eden" is one of my favorite books. McCarthy, in this work, manages to elevate these themes to an entirely new level.

The chapters alternate between the main story and the meandering thoughts of Sheriff Bell, and it is Bell's monologues that truly shine. Every memorable quote in the book stems from these sections, as they are filled with profound wisdom. His love and tenderness for his wife provide a welcome counterbalance to the evil and violence that unfolds around him.

"No Country" also introduces us to one of the most formidable and terrifying villains in literature. Anton Chigurh is the embodiment of pure evil, a modern-day grim reaper. He has a penchant for flipping a coin and asking his victims to call it, and by his twisted standards, any hesitation in facing one's choices in life is tantamount to a death sentence.

As always, McCarthy employs his signature style, eschewing quotation marks. However, I am always amazed at how quickly I adapt to the rhythm of his writing, and within a few pages, it ceases to be a distraction. The only minor drawback that prevented me from awarding it a full 5 stars was that some major events occurred "off-page", which left me a bit confused and cheated.

Overall, this book is incredibly suspenseful, keeping me on the edge of my seat and unable to put it down. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thought-provoking and thrilling read. 4.5 stars.

My wife no longer reads the newspaper. Maybe she's right. Usually, she is.

A few days ago, in a dream, I was walking when "Ed Tam Bl" came up to me and said, "Oh boy, have you become a modern human!?"...A complete ignoramus!!!

I said, "Why?"
- Didn't you like this book?
- Why?
- Then why haven't you written anything about it until now?
- What should I write about? About the people who kill each other like they drink water?...About Hitler who left but thousands of scumbags like Saddam Hussein and Erdogan have emerged?...About the fact that there are still women who throw their children in the trash can...About the fathers who sell their daughters...About the Turk who stabs a Kurd in the heart who only has a Kurdish voice to listen to...Do you know it's only been 20 years!!!...See, your wife is right, she doesn't read the newspaper anymore...No one else can either...See, even McCartney didn't say anything about his book...They say he cured his boredom with beans for a week but didn't come to the university to talk about them and get money...It's impossible to say more about these things! It hurts a lot...These pains make a person old.
- I know, boy. But I want you to tell me about your pain as an old man.
- You're the old man, Ed.


There is no place for old men

There is an old man in my heart
who wants to die
so that he can no longer see
and no longer hear

There is an old man in my heart
who wants whiskey
so that he can get drunk
and forget

There is an old man in my heart
who wants to leave forever
I tell him, please stay right there!
Why do you want to leave me alone?

There is an old man in my heart
who wants to fly
I can no longer
catch up with him

I open the window
but he comes
and stays beside me
He brings a cup of tea
He looks into my eyes
He says
Be sad!
He sings a Kurdish song for me
He won't let me die
I won't let him die

If

*The poem is quoted from Bukowski's "Bluebird".

‘No Country for Old Men’ (2005) is a remarkable work by Cormac McCarthy. It's a dark and violent thriller that goes beyond the typical 'drug deal gone wrong' and 'good guy vs bad guy' scenarios we've seen countless times before. The story follows the misadventures of Llewelyn Moss, a well-intentioned Vietnam vet who stumbles upon what seems to be abandoned money. His actions set off a chain reaction that leads to a dangerous pursuit by Anton Chigurh, one of the most terrifying literary psychopaths in recent years. Meanwhile, Sheriff Ed Tom Bell narrates the events, adding a layer of depth and perspective to the story.

The novel is a powerful exploration of themes such as drug wars, revenge, revelations, life and death, pursuit, and survival. It rises above the standard fare of violent American thrillers, creating something more effective and affecting. McCarthy's writing is strong and engaging, with a chilling and disturbing sense of authenticity. The story is full of unexpected twists and turns, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat from beginning to end.

While Anton Chigurh and Llewelyn Moss are both great characters, it is Sheriff Ed Tom Bell who is the heart and soul of the story. As the narrator and one of the main protagonists, his dedication, motivation, humanity, and disillusionment, as well as his memories and dreams, form the central core of the novel. 'No Country for Old Men' is a truly remarkable work that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it.