Finished Outer Dark!
Outer Dark is my second Cormac McCarthy novel, with Blood Meridian being my first. I truly admire McCarthy’s writing style, I have yet to encounter anyone who can match him. Outer Dark is an unflinching look into a “godless land” with irredeemable characters. It’s bleak, desolate, and hopeless.
For those who aren’t familiar with this book, Outer Dark is about a brother (Culla) and Sister (Rinthy) who live in the Appalachian Mountains. They engaged in an incestuous relationship, which leads to Rinthy bearing her brother’s child. Rinthy gives birth and Culla wants nothing to do with the child, so he waits for Rinthy to fall asleep and he abandons the child deep in the wilderness. The following morning, they have a falling out and they embark on separate journeys. Rinthy hopes to find her child while Culla leaves home to find work and distance himself from his situation at home.
*Stop reading here, to avoid spoilers!*
The writing from start to finish was insanely beautiful with a good helping of dreadfulness. My favorite part of the book was Culla’s last encounter with the three strangers and the interaction that ensued. The amount of dread and anxiousness I felt, weighed on me a lot. By the time the encounter ended, my jaw was already on the floor. Then Culla’s interaction with the blind man and the marshlands… although I’ve only read two of McCarthy’s novels, I’ll continue to sing his praises till my last breath! I’m eager to start my next CM novel! What are your thoughts on Outer Dark?