The Border Trilogy: A Sprawling Epic of the American West

Cities of the Plain: Book 3 of Border Trilogy (The Border Trilogy)

by Cormac McCarthy

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2772 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	305 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Paperback	:	71 pages
Item Weight	:	3.04 ounces
Dimensions	:	5 x 0.18 x 8 inches

FREE

Cormac McCarthy's Border Trilogy is a sprawling epic of the American West, following the lives of three generations of the McMurry family as they struggle to survive in the unforgiving landscape.

The trilogy consists of three novels: All the Pretty Horses (1992),The Crossing (1994),and Cities of the Plain (1998). Each novel follows a different generation of the McMurry family, and each is set in a different part of the American West.

In All the Pretty Horses, we follow John Grady Cole, a young man who leaves his home in Texas to join a group of cowboys on a cattle drive to Mexico. Along the way, he falls in love with a young Mexican woman, and the two of them must overcome many obstacles to be together.

In The Crossing, we follow Billy Parham, John Grady's cousin, as he tries to make a life for himself in the New Mexico desert. Billy is a loner, and he struggles to find his place in the world. However, he eventually finds solace in the company of a group of Apache Indians.

In Cities of the Plain, we follow John Grady's son, John Grady Cole Jr., as he comes of age in the American Southwest. John Grady Jr. is a troubled young man, and he must overcome many challenges in order to find his own path in life.

The Border Trilogy is a powerful and moving epic of the American West. McCarthy's writing is lyrical and evocative, and he creates a vivid and unforgettable sense of place. The characters in the trilogy are complex and well-developed, and their stories are both heartbreaking and inspiring.

The Border Trilogy is a must-read for anyone interested in American literature, the American West, or simply great storytelling.

Themes

The Border Trilogy explores a number of themes, including:

• The American West: The trilogy is set in the American West, and McCarthy paints a vivid and unforgiving portrait of the landscape. The characters in the trilogy must constantly struggle to survive in this harsh environment.
• Family: The McMurry family is at the heart of the trilogy, and the novels explore the complex relationships between family members. The characters in the trilogy must often make difficult choices between their own interests and the interests of their family.
• Love: Love is a powerful force in the trilogy, and it can both save and destroy the characters. The characters in the trilogy often find themselves torn between their love for others and their own desires.
• Loss: Loss is a recurring theme in the trilogy, and the characters must often deal with the loss of loved ones, friends, and even their own sense of self.
• Survival: The characters in the trilogy must constantly struggle to survive, both physically and emotionally. The trilogy explores the limits of human endurance and the ways in which people can overcome adversity.

Characters

The Border Trilogy features a large cast of characters, but the following are some of the most important:

• John Grady Cole: The protagonist of All the Pretty Horses, John Grady is a young man who leaves home to join a cattle drive to Mexico. He is a skilled cowboy and a loyal friend, but he is also impulsive and reckless.
• Billy Parham: The protagonist of The Crossing, Billy is John Grady's cousin. He is a loner and an outsider, but he is also a skilled tracker and a brave warrior.
• John Grady Cole Jr.: The protagonist of Cities of the Plain, John Grady Jr. is the son of John Grady Cole and Alejandra. He is a troubled young man, but he is also intelligent and resourceful.
• Alejandra: John Grady's love interest in All the Pretty Horses, Alejandra is a young Mexican woman. She is beautiful and intelligent, but she is also trapped in a loveless marriage.
• The Judge: A mysterious figure who appears in all three novels, the Judge is a wise and enigmatic character. He offers guidance to the characters in the trilogy, but he also represents the harsh realities of life in the American West.

Setting

The Border Trilogy is set in the American West, and the novels explore a variety of different landscapes. The first novel, All the Pretty Horses, is set in the vast and unforgiving desert of Mexico. The second novel, The Crossing, is set in the mountains and deserts of New Mexico. The third novel, Cities of the Plain, is set in the towns and cities of the American Southwest.

McCarthy's writing brings the landscape to life, and he creates a vivid and unforgettable sense of place. The characters in the trilogy are constantly shaped by the landscape in which they live, and the landscape itself is a powerful force in the story.

Style

McCarthy's writing style is unique and distinctive. He uses a sparse and minimalist style, and he often employs long, flowing sentences. His writing is both lyrical and evocative, and he creates a vivid and unforgettable sense of place.

McCarthy's style has been compared to that of other great American writers, such as William Faulkner and Ernest Hemingway. However, McCarthy's voice is unique, and his writing style is all his own.

Legacy

The Border Trilogy is considered to be one of the great works of American literature. The trilogy has won numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1992 for All the Pretty Horses. The trilogy has also been adapted into a number of films, including a 2000 film adaptation of All the Pretty Horses starring Matt Damon and Penelope Cruz.

The Border Trilogy is a powerful and moving epic of the American West. McCarthy's writing is lyrical and evocative, and he creates a vivid and unforgettable sense of place. The characters in the trilogy are complex and well-developed, and their stories are both heartbreaking and inspiring.

The Border Trilogy is a must-read for anyone interested in American literature, the American West, or simply great storytelling.

Cities of the Plain: Book 3 of Border Trilogy (The Border Trilogy)

by Cormac McCarthy

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2772 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	305 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Paperback	:	71 pages
Item Weight	:	3.04 ounces
Dimensions	:	5 x 0.18 x 8 inches

FREE