66 pages • 2 hours read
No Country for Old Men
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Book Brief
309
Novel • Fiction
Texas • 1980s
2005
Vintage International
Adult
18+ years
HL610L
Super Short Summary
In No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy, Sheriff Ed Tom Bell investigates a series of murders in Texas linked to a botched drug deal. Vietnam vet Llewelyn Moss stumbles upon the aftermath, taking a case of money, which sets off a deadly pursuit by a ruthless hitman and drug cartels. Sheriff Bell struggles to protect Moss and his wife while reflecting on the moral decay he sees in society. The novel contains depictions of extreme violence.
Dark
Gritty
Suspenseful
Unnerving
Reviews & Readership
224,361 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Cormac McCarthy’s No Country for Old Men captivates with its stark prose and compelling, morally complex narrative. Critics praise its tension and rich characterization. However, some find the violence excessive and the minimalist style challenging. Despite this, it stands as a poignant exploration of fate and morality.
Who Should Read No Country for Old Men?
Readers who enjoy dark, existential themes, morally complex characters, and stark, lyrical prose will appreciate Cormac McCarthy’s No Country for Old Men. Fans of McCarthy's other works or books such as William Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying and Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea will find it compelling.
224,361 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Loretta Bell
Loretta Bell
Sheriff Bell's wife, known for her kindness and generosity, who provides support and solace to her husband while maintaining a strong, non-judgmental presence.
Llewellyn Moss
Llewellyn Moss
A welder and Vietnam veteran who stumbles upon a fortune and becomes a key player in a deadly pursuit, testing his survival skills and instincts.
Carla Jean Moss
Carla Jean Moss
The young, intelligent wife of Llewellyn Moss, who demonstrates maturity and trust in her husband while facing significant personal challenges.
Anton Chigurh
Anton Chigurh
A relentless and enigmatic hitman with a fatalistic worldview, whose actions create a ripple effect through the lives of various characters.
Carson Wells
Carson Wells
An ex-military Colonel hired for his expertise, who serves as a contrast to Anton Chigurh and is aware of the immense danger he faces.
309
Novel • Fiction
Texas • 1980s
2005
Vintage International
Adult
18+ years
HL610L
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.