Our book group choice for April 2020 is All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy. All the Pretty Horses tells of young John Grady Cole, the last of a long line of Texas ranchers.
All the Pretty Horses is a novel by Cormac McCarthy, the first volume in his Border Trilogy. It tells the story of John Grady Cole, a 16-year-old boy who grew up on his grandfather’s ranch in San Angelo, Texas. After his grandfather dies, John Grady’s mother decides to sell the ranch and move away. Faced with the prospect of leaving the only life he has ever known, John Grady runs away with his best friend, Lacey Rawlins.
The two boys head south into Mexico, where they hope to find work as cowboys. Along the way, they meet a younger boy named Jimmy Blevins, who joins them on their journey. The three boys ride through the harsh Mexican landscape, experiencing both beauty and danger. They work on a ranch, break wild horses, and even fall in love.
But their journey is not without its challenges. Blevins is a troubled boy, and he soon begins to cause problems for the others. He steals a horse, gets into fights, and even tries to run away. John Grady and Rawlins are forced to leave him behind, and they later learn that he has been killed.
John Grady and Rawlins continue their journey, but they are soon caught up in the Mexican Revolution. They are arrested by the federales, and they are forced to work in a prison camp. After a harrowing escape, they make their way back to Texas.
All the Pretty Horses is a coming-of-age story about the loss of innocence and the discovery of the world. It is a meditation on the nature of freedom and the power of love. The novel is beautifully written, and it is full of vivid imagery and memorable characters.
In addition to its literary merits, All the Pretty Horses also has a strong emotional impact. The reader feels the pain of John Grady’s loss, the excitement of his journey, and the fear of his imprisonment. The novel is a powerful reminder of the human capacity for both love and violence.
Discussion Questions for All the Pretty Horses
- This book had some very long sentences, long chapters, some untranslated Spanish and minimal punctuation. How did you enjoy the style of the book?
- The book starts with the death of John Grady’s grandfather. What did you make of the relationships between John Grady and his family?
- How did you feel about his decision to leave the ranch and travel to Mexico?
- Why do you think he chose Mexico, especially when it might have been more straightforward to get a job on a nearby ranch in the US?
- The meeting with Jimmy Blevins is pivotal. It introduces a character who divides the opinion of John and Rawlins and leads them into various scrapes. Was the character believable? Was there meant to be a comic element to the Jimmy Blevins character…or was it just me?
- Rawlins and John Grady talk about girls. Rawlins says they aren’t worth it, John Grady says they are worth the effort. Would you say John Grady was a romantic?
- Where you surprised that Alejanrda ultimately turned down John Grady? Why do you think she did that and do you think she ever came to regret it?
- Why do you think John Grady told Alejandra and then later the judge about killing the boy in prison?
- John Grady always appears to be the leader, despite being older than Rawlins. Why is that and do you think he matures further during the novel?
- Is this a masculine novel? What do the women add, if anything?
- Explore the relationships John Grady has with the female characters: his mother, Luisa and Abela, Alejandra’s greatau nt.
- Why is the story of the great aunt’s youth included in the story? Why does she want a different youth for her niece?
- The book closes with the funeral of Abuela. How does this compare to the many other deaths in the book: his grandfather, Jimmy Blevins, the boy in prison, his father.
- Is this a fitting conclusion to the book?
- Has this inspired you to read the other books in this trilogy?
Individual Comments
Jo's Rating 
Sue's Rating
Willow's Rating
DKB's Rating