Oprah's Choice: Cormac McCarthy
Categories: Award Winners , Fiction , Oprah
As a browser of fiction bookshelves, I have often been intrigued by the works of Cormac McCarthy and have felt I really should know more about him. Or her. Who is this author, anyway? As it turns out, he is one of those "I'll let my work speak for me" kinds of authors who actively shuns the spotlight. Until now, anyway. On March 28, Oprah announced the selection of The Road, McCarthy's most recent novel, for her book club. And a brighter spotlight than that would be tough to find.
One can only imagine what this reclusive man feels about the Cormac McCarthy Society, whose sole purpose rests on his life and works. Often compared to William Faulkner, McCarthy grew up in Depression-era Tennessee and now lives in west Texas. Each of those divergent landscapes play an important part in his novels, which often center on the struggles between man, beast, and the forces of nature. A few of McCarthy's previous novels:
- No Country for Old Men (on our list as a Librarian's Choice for 2006)
- The Border Trilogy, consisting of: All the Pretty Horses, The Crossing, and Cities of the Plain
- Blood Meridian
McCarthy's spotlight has the potential to burn even more brightly. Following his National Book Award for All the Pretty Horses in 1992, No Country for Old Men has been named to the shortlist for the 2007 IMPAC Award out of Dublin. The Road has been described as a 'post-apocalyptic masterpiece', and some speculate that it could be a front-runner for this year's Pulitzer Prize in fiction. Keep an eye on Turning The Page for an update: the prizes will be announced within the next few weeks.
