Suttree: by Cormac McCarthy: 129 (Picador Collection, 129)

Simply a fantastic novel. This is the fourth Cormac McCarthy book I have read (the others being the Road, Blood Meridian and No Country for Old Men) and differs quite significantly from the others. Previously my experience of McCarthy has been the use of quite concise, matter of fact descriptions of events and people whereas this novel is incredibly wordy and uses such a rich and obscure range of language you have to just let it wash over you and not worry about what it all necessarily means. The novel has no particular plot and charts the seemingly random events in the life of the protagonist Suttree and his various friends and acquaintances on the dark, shambolic edge of town. To me this was an homage to the fringes of society and the richness of life there. It records the alternately hilarious, moving and incredible events that befall people but which ultimately are lost in time. By the end of the novel I found myself feeling a sense of nostalgia for this place and it's people and was entertained throughout. Simply a must read for McCarthy fans, but as I've said, quite unlike his other works so probably one to come to with an open mind.

Regular readers of McCarthy will probably accept that laughs are few and far between in his work and whilst this novel doesnt buck the trend as such, there is still much more to laugh about. Humour and wit abound with Suttree, an alcoholic fisherman, and his drinking buddies. Suttree lurches and stumbles from one situation to another - sometimes funny, sometimes tragic - as he decides whether to take his place among the dead or stay with the quick. Suttree does feel at times a struggle, I normally dont accept the criticism that McCarthy is pretentious but even I have to accept there are times in the novel where things get a little unwieldy - its a long novel and feels it at times, I didnt enjoy it as much as The Border Trilogy and it doesnt have the quick pace of Child of God or the pure resonance of Blood Meridian but its still fantastic, its still McCarthy.

Really took me by supprised how much I enjoyed this. Didn't want it to end. I have read some of Cormac Mccarthy later novels bit not heard much about this one but it was fantastic. Really felt inside the world of the novel in a way I haven't in a long time.I have seen people make fun of his prose on some other reviews but I have always find it engrossing and it's some of his finest here.Less bleak that his other novels though still has it fair share of dark and horrific scenes though its certainly finds humor when he can.The characters felt real and by the end I felt like I knew them and how they lived their lives. Didn't want it to end found it hard to put down.

McCarthy is a prose master – possibly the greatest living writer in English – and Suttree represents his prose at its most distilled. The language is sublime. Reading it is like being drunk. But that's also a problem. When every word and phrase is a jewel, reading becomes difficult. Imagine if a song was just one long exquisite guitar solo or if an opera was only a prolonged, soaring aria. There's no time to breathe. It's 100% all the time. Exhausting. In this sense, Suttree is TOO good.

As it was the only one of McCarthy's I had yet to read, I saved this book for months on my Kindle as a special treat; it turned out to be more of a punishment than a pleasurable experience.The main protagonist is Cornelius 'Buddy' Suttree, an intelligent, well-educated, and good-looking young man, who has decided to become a directionless bum living on a houseboat on the river at Knoxville, Tennessee. I am afraid I really struggled with it, and by halfway through was tempted to slit my wrists. There is no doubt that it is very cleverly written: the density and texture of the prose always match the environment being described, and there are great touches of black humour. Suttree is kind and loyal to his friends (the exception being his female lovers), but it was impossible to know what that pretty head was thinking as he drifted from one drunken brawl to another.I would love to know why Suttree is estranged from his family, to the extent that he can't meet his mother face-to-face or read her letters. Is this book semi-autobiographical? Perhaps that was why McCarthy was unwilling to throw light on this area. However, without proper insights into Buddy's character, the book is merely a series of well-written anecdotes about the rough side of life in Knoxville.Conclusion: if you can't find a hair shirt, try this instead.

I have waited nearly a year to write this review. I have felt totally inadequate when trying to express an opinion of this book that potential readers might find useful. Previous reviewers have pretty much said it all. There was one particularly useful comment. It said, 'this book inhabits you'. It absolutely does.The book isn't an easy holiday type read, I made extensive use of my new electronic dictionary. There were pages I read three times to try and better understand what I was reading. There is no real plot and it is not possible to predict where things are going. The writing style takes getting used to as the author seems to make no concession to the reader. Sink or swim.But, but, but do not let any of these things get in your way of purchasing this book now. Every ounce of effort you pour into this book will be rewarded in spades. It seeps down deep and touches your soul, it leaves its essence in your mind and heart and you will never, ever be released from its spell. There will be times when you will suddenly start and awake from your reading and wonder what magic was that, I was just there, I could see, smell, hear the sounds...The book haunts my dreams, it stalks my daytime reveries. But oh, I do go on. Buy the book now, I do not doubt that you too will rage about the genius of this work.

This is Literature! Cormac McCarthy was a wonderful writer. This book in my opinion is his masterpiece. Very poetic with narrative that made me pause and reread his words. The characters come alive and they reader enters their world easily.A reminder of Hemingway, Dylan Thomas, Steinbeck and Thomas Hardy. Great writing that will never come again. A must read, a keeper and a Classic. Get one today. Makes a good gift but only for the serious reader.

der gute cormac mcc (hätte eigentlich den nobelpreis verdient gehabt) schreibt (leider schrieb) in einer eigenen liga. einiges auf englisch, manche aber auch auf deutsch gelesen.dieses frühwerk aber ist/war mir einfach von der sprachgewalt eine nummer zu gross, was das lesevergnügen zu sehr geschmälert hätte.daher nach ca. 50 seiten abgebrochen, das buch einem engl. freund geschenkt und mir die angebl vortreffliche deutsche übersetzung gekauft. bewertung dafür folgt in den nächsten 24 monaten.

Wanted this book for a really long time. Bought it for 400. Perfect quality.

Come le altre opere di Mc Carty. Crudo, forte, trascinante. Un autore che non smette di colpire allo stomaco, al cervello e al cuore. Consigliato.

Magnifique roman, j'ai adoré ! Après " La Route " et " Méridien de sang " c' est donc le troisième livre que je trouve formidable de cet auteur !