?One of the greatest American novels of this or any time?

?A uniquely brilliant book, told in language as subtly beautiful as its setting?

?A darkly shining work, executed with consummate skill and much subtlety ? the effect is magnificent?

This is volume one of the "Border" triology. John Grady Cole is the last bewildered survivor of long generations of Texas ranchers. Finding himself cut off from the only life he has ever wanted, he sets out for Mexico with his friend Lacey Rawlins. Befriending a third boy on the way, they find a country beyond their imagining: barren and beautiful, rugged yet cruelly civilized; a place where dreams are paid for in blood. "All The Pretty Horses" is an acknowledged masterpiece and a grand love story: a novel about childhood passing, along with innocence and a vanished American age. Steeped in the wisdom that comes only from loss, it is a magnificent parable of responsibility, revenge and survival. 'A darkly shining work ...executed with consummate skill and much subtlety the effect is magnificent' - John Banville, "Observer". 'A uniquely brilliant book ...told in language as subtly beautiful as its desert setting. One of the most important pieces of American writing of our time' - Stephen Amidon, "Sunday Times".

Cormac McCarthy is the author of nine novels to date, including, most recently, No Country For Old Men. He lives in Texas.

2008-07-21 Spellbinding .. what a story

I've read 'The Road' and 'No Country' but this is better - much better.
On the face of it its a road movie (on horses) but this is also about love, friendship and a strength of character that you just don't seem to see these days. This was an absolute pleasure to read, just taking you there and making you part of the story. I read this is almost one sitting I was so taken with the story. Its not action packed but its a compelling story about a boy growing up. He leaves his family ranch as its sold off and rides down to Mexico with his best friend to find another life.
There are shootings, a picture of Mexico that has long gone, injustice , being falsely imprisoned and surviving an attempted knife attack, and a love affair with the daughter of the ranch he ends up working on that has heartbreak written all over it
But its written so well that you just get sucked in and the conversation with the judge at the end of the story is just spellbinding
I've got all three in the Border Trilogy in one volume but I had to write a review of the first part at once - its that good