[Book] All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy

"And after and for a long time to come he'd have reason to evoke the recollection of those smiles and to reflect upon the good will which provoked them for it had power to protect and to confer honor and to strengthen resolve and it had power to heal men and to bring them to safety long after all other resources where exhausted." p. 224

The is the first book in McCarthy's "Border trilogy". It tells the story of a aimless young cowboy that takes his horse and rides with a friend from Texas into Mexico. Time is mid last century. This does not say anything about the strength of this novel, because you know that anything can happen. For those who do not know, Cormac McCarthy is the author of The Road and No Country for Old Men which both have been made into strong films. They tell stories of unforgiving lands and surroundings that shape the characters. As does All the Pretty Horses.

McCarthy's writing style is of few words that speak volumes, just like his characters. You have to read carefully not to miss out. Reading this book I did not want to miss out on anything. I was fascinated and taken by it, its strength and the fate of it´s characters, how the author draws up a picture of the land and the people. After finishing it I felt I had grasped something about the depth of life. I picked up my son from his bed and kissed him and hugged him and looked at him and was yet again amazed at his beauty. I feel now that his novel has enriched my life. There are not many books that can do that to a person. That does not mean it will do it for anyone else, but I recommend trying. Just forget what I just wrote and give it a try. [Alfred A. Knopf]
- Sigurður Harðarson

To know about Halifax Collect updates as they come, follow us on facebook, twitter and tumblr. Thank you. 
Join the conversation by writing a comment below.