Tatum's 95-page reader's guide is nearly as well written as the McCarthy book it explores. Especially helpful are the discussion questions Tatum includes. Tatum also references other readers' and critics' insights and contributions. Throughout his guide, however, I came to appreciate McCarthy's book even more. A wonderful addition to McCarthy studies. Highly recommended.

I judged this one harshly and hastily. Before Tatum settled into his rhythm, I decided that the approach, which focuses on reflected scenes in what becomes almost a mirror of a novel, would yield little. And while there's still plenty here I'd quibble with, Tatum's explication of the novel as John Grady Cole's struggle to come to see the world "as it is" takes shape as he examines the third and fourth sections. Solid and occasionally revelatory stuff.