tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444828253239414712.post8961701428181797922..comments2023-06-28T05:19:43.903-04:00Comments on The Notes Taken: Cormac McCarthy, "Cities of the Plain"D. Shawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08598034752112505284noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444828253239414712.post-23066762337731175362012-04-28T14:08:12.488-04:002012-04-28T14:08:12.488-04:00I just finished the trilogy. Did anybody else noti...I just finished the trilogy. Did anybody else notice that there are obscure discusions in all three of the books that are fustrating to the reader because they seem to have meaning but just can't be fully grasped. I agree with Matthew that McCarthy is being purposefully cryptic, except I think that in the last discussion under the bridge, at last we have Billy who is now as old as these seemingly wise old men and he has come to realise that his guess might just be as good as theirs. Nonetheless I think there are some interesting philosophical points (especially about free will and detirminism) in all the discussions, I just struggle to find much coherency. I think that's the point.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444828253239414712.post-25326082992092987322011-06-16T18:56:07.368-04:002011-06-16T18:56:07.368-04:00The brothel was called The White Lake.The brothel was called The White Lake.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15991872256602747861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444828253239414712.post-71779346430635240112010-11-24T09:32:47.702-05:002010-11-24T09:32:47.702-05:00Thanks for your comment! I have to say I'm rat...Thanks for your comment! I have to say I'm rather sympathetic to your view of the trilogy as a whole. As regards the epilogue under the highway, I've thought hard about it and have no one answer. But I couldn't help but feel as though McCarthy was being a bit ironical - in particular, Billy's passive resistance to the stranger's interpretations struck me as a derision of myself as reader, for trying too hard to make sense of it all. <br /><br />Unfortunately I can't remember the name of the brothel either!Matt McLennanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18213312904444928876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444828253239414712.post-1086028483374605342010-10-05T12:20:45.848-04:002010-10-05T12:20:45.848-04:00Nice review. I'd be interested to know your th...Nice review. I'd be interested to know your thoughts on the part at the end with Billy and the drifter under the highway. <br />My take on the border trilogy is that however we live, it will all pass and be forgotten and the people we affected will be forgotten, so maybe just try to live well, be nice to your brother, be nice to your horse, chase the girl you love, because then if there is any trace left of our life, which there may not be, it will be a good trace. <br />PS do you remember the name of the brothel? I want to name a brothel in my own book after it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com