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Cities of the Plain Audiobook
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(4.17) - 12 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
In his novels, best-selling author Cormac McCarthy creates a western landscape filled with characters that are both myhic and authentic. Cities of the Plain, the stunning conclusion of his award-winning Border trilogy, brings together John Grady Cole and Billy Parham-the two lifelong friends who began their adventures in All the Pretty Horses. It is 1952. As Grady and Billy work a remote New Mexico ranch, Grady falls in love with a young Mexican prostitute. Determined to free her from her owner, Grady embarks on his dangerous quest of the heart. Billy tries to protect and help him, but the forces at work soon demand sacrifices greater than either can control. Capturing visions of the American West during its last decades, McCarthy's powerful work is destined to leave a permanent mark on contemporary literature. You don't have to read the other books in the trilogy to enjoy superstar narrator Frank Muller's performance, which brings a dramatic intensity to Cities of the Plain and makes it an exceptional listening experience.
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"I read the three in this series essentially back to back, which probably wasn't the wisest for my overall mood (from "so pretty" to "so sad" to *sobbing*) & appreciation. I will reread, eventually, for his amazing writing, but probably not for a while. "
— Alison (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“There is not much solace in McCarthy-land; there is only the triumph of prose, endlessly renewed, forever in search of a closure it will not find save in silence.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Showcases Mr. McCarthy’s gifts as an old-fashioned storyteller…His most readable, emotionally engaging novel yet.”
— New York Times -
“This book has the kind of rugged protagonists men will identify with; for women, it sparkles and fairly shimmers with the kind of man’s talk that women find amusing. In an epilogue, McCarthy quests after the elusive meaning of life, tearing off a page from Beckett’s Waiting for Godot.”
— Booklist (starred review) -
“Grave and majestic…McCarthy has created an imaginative oeuvre greater and deeper than any single book. Such writers wrestle with the gods themselves.”
— Washington Post Book World
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
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A 1998 New York Times Notable Book for Fiction
Cities of the Plain Listener Reviews
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" You either love him or can't stand him. I'm in the first category. "
— Lynne, 5/11/2011 -
" Not one of my faves. Well written as always, but I found myself asking, "what's the point?" and feeling like I didn't really get an answer. Felt like he tried too hard to wrap everything together. "
— Kerrie, 5/7/2011 -
" Having read all but one of his books previously, I was surprised by the rhythm of this book, the lack of violence, the odd finish to a trilogy. "
— Peter, 4/25/2011 -
" Collectively, The Border Trilogy is most powerful and beautiful story I have ever read. This book touches nicely on the complexity of life, its beauty and its pain. In the end I think its a story about the web of realtionships that form our lives and describe us as humans. "
— Josh, 4/11/2011 -
" Depressing but real world view of time and progress passing by a period man. A tragedy of pursuing ones calling and staying true to its course. "
— Stephen, 4/5/2011
About Cormac McCarthy
Cormac McCarthy (1933-2023) was an award-winning American novelist, playwright, and screenwriter. The Road won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the James Tait Black Memorial Prize. All the Pretty Horses won the National Book Award. His works adapted to film include All the Pretty Horses, The Road, and No Country for Old Men—the latter film receiving four Academy Awards, including the award for Best Picture.
About Frank Muller
Frank Muller (1951–2008) was an Audie Award–winning narrator. A classically trained actor, Frank appeared on both television and the stage. His credits include Hamlet, The Crucible, The Taming of the Shrew, The Importance of Being Earnest, Law & Order, All My Children, and many, many more. In 1999 Frank was awarded the AudioFile Lifetime Achievement Award, the top honor in the audiobook community. He has also won twenty-three Earphones Awards.