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46 pages 1 hour read

Cities of the Plain

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1998

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Book Brief

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Cormac McCarthy

Cities of the Plain

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1998
Book Details
Pages

292

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

New Mexico • 1950s

Publication Year

1998

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

680L

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Super Short Summary

Cities of the Plain by Cormac McCarthy follows John Grady Cole and Billy Parham as they work on a cattle ranch near the US-Mexico border. John Grady falls in love with Magdalena, a teenager in a Mexican brothel, and enlists Billy's help to save her. Their lives become entangled with violence, and the changing world threatens their cowboy lifestyle. Sensitive topics include violence, sex work, and death.

Melancholic

Dark

Gritty

Suspenseful

Mysterious

Reviews & Readership

4.3

30,434 ratings

81%

Loved it

16%

Mixed feelings

3%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Comprising the final installment of McCarthy's Border Trilogy, Cities of the Plain melds poetic prose with stark narratives, resonating deeply with fans of his previous works. While some critics laud its evocative landscapes and profound themes, others find the pacing sluggish and the plot somewhat predictable. Nonetheless, its elegiac tone and vivid character portrayals make it a compelling read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Cities of the Plain?

Fans of spare, lyrical prose and complex explorations of morality, like those found in Ernest Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea or William Faulkner's As I Lay Dying, will appreciate Cormac McCarthy's Cities of the Plain. It's ideal for readers who enjoy Western settings and deeply human stories.

4.3

30,434 ratings

81%

Loved it

16%

Mixed feelings

3%

Not a fan

Character List

John Grady Cole

The protagonist with a deep affinity for horses, known for his unique ability to bond with them beyond mere training. His life is defined by his empathy and his passion for the cowboy lifestyle.

A young woman working in a brothel, who faces numerous hardships and struggles with epilepsy. Her relationship with John Grady provides her with a rare experience of genuine affection and empathy.

The owner of the White Lake brothel in Juarez, a character who embodies the harsh and profit-driven environment. His interactions often serve to underscore the murky moral and power dynamics at play.

John Grady's friend and fellow cowboy, who embodies the spirit and traditions of the cowboy life in a changing world. Originally from McCarthy's The Crossing, he acts as a supportive presence throughout the story.

Eduardo's subordinate, who fulfills the role of enforcer within the brothel's operations. He is characterized by his unquestioning loyalty to Eduardo and willingness to use violence.

Book Details
Pages

292

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

New Mexico • 1950s

Publication Year

1998

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

680L

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