Reading Cormac McCarthy - (Pop Lit Book Club) by Willard Greenwood (Hardcover)

About the Book

Presents a critical introduction to the fiction and drama of the American author, discussing his novels, plays, characters, language, and the major themes of his work.

Book Synopsis

One of today's most important novelists, Cormac McCarthy is at the peak of a long and productive career. The film adaptation of his No Country for Old Men is a major motion picture, and his fiction is widely read in book clubs. This volume looks at his works, characters, themes, and contexts and relates his writings to current events and popular culture. Chapters include sidebars of interesting information, along with questions to stimulate book club discussions and student research.

One of today's most important novelists, Cormac McCarthy is at the peak of a long and productive career. He won the Pulitzer Prize for The Road in 2007 and the National Book Award for All the Pretty Horses in 1992. This book is a guide to his works and their relevance.

The volume begins with a look at his life and his use of the novel as a means of expressing his ideas. The book then looks at his works, themes, characters, and contexts. It then discusses his exploration of current events and the presence of his fiction in popular culture. Chapters include sidebars of interesting information and provide questions to stimulate book club discussion and student research.

Review Quotes

"Greenwood (English, Hiram College) tackles the fictional works of Cormac McCarthy and provides readers with a thorough discourse of the common themes, writing style and recommended works from this Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and playwright. The author discusses ten of McCarthy's books, ranging from 1965's The Orchard Keeper to 2007's The Road, and provides discussion questions and factual sidebars to each title. A short biography and critical analysis of McCarthy is also included, along with discussions of his connection to pop culture, current events and the Internet." --Reference & Research Book News

About the Author

WILLARD P. GREENWOOD is Associate Professor of English and Chair of the English Department at Hiram College. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the Hiram Poetry Review, and his writing has appeared in such outlets as Yale Angler's Journal, Passages North, and American Literary Review.