The Crossing: Border Trilogy (2) Paperback – 14 March 1995

This is a great book. The style, mood-setting and phrasing is excellent. All the Pretty Horses (the first part of this trilogy) was even better imo, but all three books are world class. Sadly, books like this would never be published today. But on the bright side, all these great dead writers left us a library filled with greatness.

Neatly defined plots are the mainstay of fiction, not real life. Life, as we know it, doesn't follow the expected course; it can go round in circles, take unexpected turns and head off in a direction we hadn't foreseen. Cormac McCarthy's novel 'The Crossing' is more true to life than a slave of the fiction format. The writing is as coarse as the landscape it evokes. Characters enter and leave the narrative never to return as the boy hero Billy traverses the length and breadth of Mexico, first (mild spoilers ahead) with a wolf, then with his brother, and then a third time all by himself. The tale turns deeply philosophical at times, putting forth questions regarding the injustices of life and whether God permits them willingly. Yes, the story does drag a few times as the author gets a little too indulgent, but all in all, there is something valuable to be had from this book. If you know McCarthy's style and language and are not put off by it, 'The Crossing' is strongly recommended. But do remember, it is the second book in the 'Border Trilogy'. I suggest you read 'All The Pretty Horses' (first in the trilogy) first even though the story of 'The Crossing' has nothing to do with it. The heroes of the two books come together in the third book 'Cities Of The Plain'.

I am a confirmed fan, so I knew what to expect - even so, this is an unbelievably sad story that offers few, if any, consolations. But it is written in McCarthy's peerless prose, and that in itself is enough to commend it. The story is actually quite slight, focusing on Billy Parham, a very young cowboy in the 1930's who embarks on a mad journey to repatriate a wolf in Mexico and ends up having his whole life turned upside down. All McCarthy's trademarks are here: beautiful, lyrical descriptions of the countryside and wider environment; a wonderful expression of the relationship between man and horse; an unblinking story of poverty, mistrust, hatred and death; and a compelling central character, flawed, headstrong, loyal and tragic. Do not read this if you like happy endings!

Heavy on the mysteries of life and death, which I realize is Cormac McCarthy’s way. The standout for me was his evocatve use of language—his descriptions of nature, people, sensations. This has been the case in all three of the books in The Border Trilogy.

The crossing trilogy, as a whole, is a great achievement in fiction, not only in the US but wherever fiction in English is read.The strange relationship between a boy and a wild wolf, progressing from fear and the strongest animosity into what is a reciprocated love between a human and a wild animal love is the centre of this volume of the trilogy and springs, of course, from the historically long sustained love of man for horses. This emotion has now disappeared, by and large, from the mental landscape of human beings. The loss is principally ours. McCarthy's understanding of and tribute to those lost sentiments in his own inimitable style is moving and captivating.