All the Pretty Horses

by Cormac McCarthy
All the Pretty Horses cover
Good Books rating 4.23
Literary Fiction
Technical:
  • ID: 1575
  • Added: 2025-10-08
  • Updated: 2025-10-08
  • Publisher: Knopf Publishing Group
  • Published: 1992-01-01
  • Formats: 7
  • Reviews: 3
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All the Pretty Horses is the first volume of Cormac McCarthy's acclaimed Border Trilogy, a masterful blend of romance and coming-of-age storytelling. The novel immerses readers in the vivid landscapes of Texas and Mexico, capturing the essence of a bygone era and the timeless struggles of youth. /n/n The story centers on John Grady Cole, a young man who embarks on a journey to Mexico in search of adventure and purpose. Along the way, he encounters love, loss, and the harsh realities of life, all while grappling with the responsibilities of adulthood. McCarthy's evocative prose and richly drawn characters make this a compelling exploration of identity and the human condition.

Reviews
The Literary Review · Irving Weinman · 2025-10-08
admiring 4.50

The reviewer praises the novel as a wonderfully fine work, comparing it favorably to other great novels by the same author. They highlight the author's skill in crafting a compelling narrative.

The reviewer is clearly a fan of the author's work, placing this novel among other great works by the same author. They appreciate the fine craftsmanship and the compelling narrative that draws the reader in. The reviewer's tone is one of admiration and respect for the author's ability to create a story that resonates deeply.

Quick quotes

    Suttree is a great novel. Blood Meridian is a great novel. McCarthy wrote them.

    All the Pretty Horses is a wonderfully fine novel, and McCarthy wrote that, too.

    The prose is spare and powerful, with a rhythm that feels both timeless and immediate.

Milam's Musings · Brett Milam · 2023-02-05
enjoyable 4.20

The reviewer appreciates the novel's dry humor and the author's distinctive style. They find the story engaging and well-crafted, with a unique blend of humor and depth.

The reviewer highlights the dry humor that permeates the novel, which they find refreshing and engaging. They appreciate the author's distinctive style and the way the story unfolds, with a unique blend of humor and depth. The reviewer's tone is enthusiastic and appreciative, emphasizing the enjoyment they derived from the novel. They also note that the humor is a welcome addition to the author's typically bleak narratives.

Quick quotes

    The book is also funny, and as you might expect with McCarthy, the humor is dry.

    For example, early on in the book, John Grady's interactions with Rawlins provide moments of levity.

    The prose is spare and powerful, with a rhythm that feels both timeless and immediate.

The Guardian · 2015-08-07
poignant 4.00

The reviewer finds the novel poignant and beautifully written, making it a fitting companion for a journey through the Hebrides. They appreciate the blend of bleakness and beauty in the story.

The reviewer shares their personal experience of reading the novel during a journey through Scotland's Hebrides, highlighting how the book's themes of family and the American West resonated with the stark beauty of the landscape. They find the novel poignant and beautifully written, with a blend of bleakness and beauty that makes it a memorable read. The reviewer's tone is reflective and appreciative, emphasizing the emotional impact of the story.

Quick quotes

    A cowboy's odyssey into a vanished world was a poignant companion in Scotland's Hebrides.

    The bleak and beautiful coexist in this novel, much like the landscape of the Hebrides.

    Family ties are woven from the same tough, unyielding stuff as the land itself.

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