Episode 16: Michael Crews and McCarthy's Literary Influences

Aug 27, 2021

In this engaging discussion, Michael Crews, an Associate Professor and author of 'Books Are Made out of Books,' explores the intricate literary influences on Cormac McCarthy. He shares his journey through the Wittliff archives and unpacks major themes like Flaubert's impact and the desert pilgrimage motif. Listeners will find intriguing insights into McCarthy's drafting process, including marginalia and deleted scenes, as well as the challenges of adapting his work for Hollywood. Crews also highlights why 'Suttree' is his favorite McCarthy novel for its unique blend of humor and spiritual themes.

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ANECDOTE

First Encounter Sparks Lifelong Interest

Michael Crews first saw Cormac McCarthy in a Village Inn eating breakfast and reading a Churchill biography, which prompted him to read McCarthy's work.
He started with All the Pretty Horses and was hooked, later reading Suttree as his favorite after 1996.

insights

INSIGHT

McCarthy Leaves an Evident Literary Trail

Crews found McCarthy meticulously noted influences in archives despite public reticence about literature.
The archives reveal McCarthy is widely read across philosophy, science, and literary tradition.

insights

INSIGHT

Title Comes From McCarthy's Own Admission

The book title comes from McCarthy's line: "books are made out of books."
Crews used that admission and archival marginalia to map McCarthy's influences.

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How Michael Crews Discovered McCarthy

01:13 • 1min

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Archival Research Sparks a Dissertation

02:29 • 3min

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Title Origin: 'Books Are Made Out of Books'

05:16 • 1min

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McCarthy's Preservation of Papers

06:33 • 2min

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Suttree and Blood Meridian: A Goldmine

08:27 • 2min

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Flaubert's Influence and Desert Pilgrimage

10:10 • 3min

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How the Wittliff Archives Work

12:46 • 4min

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Drafts, Excised Material, and Marginalia

16:52 • 48sec

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Surprises: Spengler, Flaubert, and Pessimism

Unexplored Archive Opportunities

21:31 • 4min

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Pop Culture, Music, and Screenwriting

25:11 • 4min

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McCarthy and Hollywood: Adaptation Challenges

29:07 • 2min

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Future Projects and Deeper Influence Studies

31:17 • 2min

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Favorite Work: Why Suttree Resonates

Cormac Mccarthy in Context

Steven Frye

#95519

Books Are Made Out of Books

A Guide to Cormac McCarthy's Literary Influences

Michael Crews

#2253

• Mentioned in 18 episodes

All the Pretty Horses

Cormac McCarthy

Set in 1949, 'All the Pretty Horses' follows John Grady Cole, a 16-year-old cowboy, and his friend Lacey Rawlins as they leave their home in Texas to find work as cowboys in Mexico. Along the way, they encounter Jimmy Blevins, a troubled young runaway, whose actions lead to significant consequences. The novel explores themes of love, loss, and the disappearing cowboy way of life, as Cole and Rawlins face the harsh realities of the Mexican justice system, cultural differences, and personal betrayals. McCarthy's vivid prose captures the beauty and brutality of the American West, highlighting the loss of innocence and the complexities of the adult world.

#190

• Mentioned in 109 episodes

The Road

Tom Stechschulte

Cormac McCarthy

The Road is set in a world that has been devastated by an unspecified cataclysmic event, resulting in the extinction of nearly all life on Earth. The story follows an unnamed father and his young son as they travel south along the road, carrying their meager possessions and a pistol with only two bullets. The father, suffering from a worsening respiratory condition, is determined to protect his son from the dangers of their new world, including cannibalistic marauders. Along their journey, they encounter various survivors, some of whom are cruel and others who show kindness. The novel explores themes of love, survival, and the preservation of humanity in a world devoid of hope. Ultimately, the father's health fails, and he dies, but not before ensuring his son's safety with a new family who may offer a chance for a better future.

#689

• Mentioned in 45 episodes

No Country for Old Men

Cormac McCarthy

The novel follows the interweaving paths of three central characters: Llewelyn Moss, who stumbles upon a large sum of money at a drug deal gone wrong; Anton Chigurh, a ruthless and principled hitman hired to retrieve the money; and Sheriff Ed Tom Bell, who reflects on the changing world and the moral decay he witnesses. The story is a harrowing exploration of greed, violence, and the consequences of one's actions, set in the harsh landscape of West Texas in 1980. It delves into themes of fate vs. free will, good vs. evil, and the ties of love, blood, and duty that shape destinies.

#473

• Mentioned in 58 episodes

Blood Meridian

Or, The Evening Redness in the West

Cormac McCarthy

Blood Meridian is a historical novel that depicts the brutal reality of the American West in the mid-19th century. The story follows a 14-year-old runaway from Tennessee, known as 'the kid', who joins the Glanton gang, a historical group of scalp hunters. The gang, led by John Joel Glanton and the enigmatic Judge Holden, is contracted to kill and scalp Native Americans but soon devolves into indiscriminate violence against various groups. The novel explores themes of brutality, the loss of innocence, and the harsh realities of human nature, with Judge Holden serving as a central figure embodying philosophical and sadistic elements. The book is known for its unflinching portrayal of violence and its allegorical exploration of human existence.

#10106

• Mentioned in 5 episodes

Cities of the Plain

Cormac McCarthy

Cormac McCarthy's Cities of the Plain is a novel that explores themes of love, loss, and the complexities of human relationships. The narrative unfolds with a lyrical and evocative style, capturing the emotional depth of its characters. McCarthy's masterful use of language and imagery creates a powerful and moving reading experience. Cities of the Plain delves into the darker aspects of human nature, while also celebrating the enduring power of love. Its enduring appeal lies in its exploration of universal themes and its emotionally resonant characters.

#15720

• Mentioned in 3 episodes

Goodbye to a River

John Graves

John Graves's "Goodbye to a River" is a poignant memoir chronicling a canoe journey down the Brazos River in Texas. Graves's narrative transcends a simple travelogue, offering insightful reflections on the changing landscape and the human impact on the environment. He vividly portrays the river's degradation due to pollution and development, highlighting the tension between progress and preservation. The book explores themes of memory, loss, and the complex relationship between humans and nature. Graves's evocative prose and keen observations make "Goodbye to a River" a timeless classic of nature writing.

#18679

• Mentioned in 3 episodes

The Temptation of St. Anthony

Gustave Flaubert

#9703

• Mentioned in 5 episodes

The orchard keeper

Cormac McCarthy

The Orchard Keeper is Cormac McCarthy's debut novel, published in 1965. The story is set in rural Tennessee during the early 1930s and revolves around three main characters: Marion Sylder, a bootlegger; Uncle Ather Ownby, an old hermit living in a decaying apple orchard; and John Wesley Rattner, a young boy whose father was killed by Sylder in self-defense. The novel explores themes of cyclical violence, the encroachment of modernity, and the complex relationships between these characters, who are unaware of the connections between them. The narrative is characterized by McCarthy's vivid descriptions of the natural world and his exploration of human nature, morality, and the impact of societal changes on individual lives.

#15789

• Mentioned in 3 episodes

Children of God

An American Epic

Vardis Fisher

Children of God is a historical epic that follows the early history of Mormonism, focusing on figures like Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. The novel presents a sympathetic portrayal of the Mormons while critiquing their persecutors. It won the Harper Novel Prize in 1939.

#30313

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

Glass Key

Jennifer Robertson

#656

• Mentioned in 47 episodes

The decline of the West

Oswald Spengler

#16405

• Mentioned in 3 episodes

Red Harvest

Dashiell Hammett

Red Harvest is a seminal novel by Dashiell Hammett, exploring corruption and violence in the fictional town of Personville. The story follows the Continental Op as he navigates a complex web of crime and deceit, orchestrating a gang war to purge the town of its corrupt elements. The novel is marked by relentless violence and moral ambiguity, critiquing capitalist society and challenging traditional notions of justice.

Our guest for Episode 16 is Michael Crews, author of Books are Made out of Books: A guide to Cormac McCarthy’s Literary Influences, published by the University of Texas Press in 2017. Dr. Crews is an Associate Professor of English and chair of English and Communication Studies at Regents University. He explains his work delving into the McCarthy archives of the Wittliff Collection in his quest for the writers and texts who have influenced the works of Cormac McCarthy.

Thanks to Thomas Frye, who composed, performed, and produced the music for READING MCCARTHY. Included are (as Intro): “The World to Come”; “Toadvine” (8:02); “Running with Wolves” (12:24); “Much Like Yourself” (31:51); and as the Outro: “Blues for Blevins.”

The views of the host and his guests do not necessarily reflect the views of their home institutions or the Cormac McCarthy Society.

Our website: https://readingmccarthy.buzzsprout.com/

And e-mail: readingmccarthy (@) gmail.com

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Starting in spring of 2023, the podcast began accepting minor sponsorship offers to offset the costs of the podcast. This may cause a mild disconnect in earlier podcasts where the host asks for patrons in lieu of sponsorships. But if we compare it to a very large and naked bald man in the middle of the desert who leads you to an extinct volcano to create gunpowder, it seems pretty minor...

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