Reading McCarthy

After a long break in which your intrepid host has contended with everything from eye surgery to accreditation, the second part of the panel discussion on The Counselor is finally here.Returning for the second part of his first appearance on the podcast is Dr. Russell Hillier, whose consideration of the screenplay first sparked my interest in examining the text again.  He is Professor of English at Providence College, Rhode Island. He is the author of two books, Milton’s Messiah (Oxford University Press, 2011) and Morality in Cormac McCarthy’s Fiction: Souls at Hazard (Palgrave Macmillan, 2017), and he is coeditor of Combined Lights: Comparative Essays on the Writings of John Donne and George Herbert (University of Delaware Press, 2021). Additionally, he has published articles on many authors in many journals. Returning as well is the excellent Dr. Dianne Luce. She is the author of Reading The World. Cormac McCarthy’s Tennessee Period, University of South Carolina Press, 2009, and Embracing Vocation: Cormac McCarthy's Writing Life, 1959-1974, U South Carolina Press 2023. She is currently working on a second volume of Cormac McCarthy's Writing Life, covering 1974-1985.  Bryan A. Giemza is Professor of Humanities and Literature at the Texas Tech University Honors College. His work bridges literature, climate communication, and public-facing humanities. He has published widely on McCarthy’s engagement with science, theology, and the American West. His forthcoming edited volume, Sowing the West Texas Wind, examines the causes and consequences of misinformation through regional case studies. His work has been supported by major humanities funders including the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Fulbright Program. His book Science and Literature in Cormac McCarthy’s Expanding Worlds was published by Bloomsbury in 2023. As always, listeners are warned: there be spoilers here.  Film trailer excerpts from The Counselor, directed by Ridley Scott, distributed by 20th Century Fox, 2013.  Thanks as always to Thomas Frye, who composed, performed, and produced the music for READING MCCARTHY.  The views of the host and his guests do not necessarily reflect the views of their home institutions or the Cormac McCarthy Society.  Download and follow this podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.  If you’re agreeable it’ll help us if you provide favorable reviews on these platforms.  To contact the host, please reach out to readingmccarthy@gmail.com. Support the showStarting 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...

In this thought-provoking discussion, guests Russell Hillier, a McCarthy scholar known for exploring morality in literature, Dianne Luce, a leading voice on McCarthy’s life and works, and Bryan Giemza, a literary commentator with insights on film history, dissect 'The Counselor.' They dive into McCarthy's complex narrative style, contrast the screenplay with the film, and examine themes of moral blindness and cultural critique. The conversation also highlights Malkina's agency and the screenplay's reflection on global capitalism, making for an illuminating dialogue.

Lydia Cooper, a literature professor specializing in Native American texts and author of a significant McCarthy analysis, joins Brent Cline, an expert on disability representations in literature and McCarthy critic. They dive deep into The Passenger, exploring its complex themes of grief, quantum entanglement, and moral ambiguity. They debate the plot's challenges, the richness of sibling relationships, and the philosophical implications of characters' choices. Through an intricate discussion, they highlight McCarthy's stylistic evolution and the novel's profound social commentary.

Stacey Peebles, a film-studies scholar and the president of the Cormac McCarthy Society, delves into McCarthy's screenwriting journey. She explores his early film experiences and how they influenced his screenplays, like the evolution of *No Country for Old Men*. Stacey discusses unproduced works like *Whales and Men*, highlighting their philosophical depth and cinematic challenges. The conversation also covers the reception of *The Counselor* and the difficulties in adapting *All the Pretty Horses* and *Child of God*. A fascinating look at McCarthy's cinematic legacy!

Dianne Luce, a literary scholar and co-founder of the Cormac McCarthy Society, returns to delve into McCarthy's play, The Sunset Limited. They explore the intense debate between a cynical professor and a hopeful ex-con, touching on themes of faith, despair, and the nature of existence. Dianne illustrates the work's unique format as both a play and philosophical dialogue. They discuss audience interpretations, the symbolic train motif, and McCarthy's comfort with ethical ambiguities, highlighting the play's powerful emotional stakes and its relevance in contemporary discussions.

Katie Salzmann, Lead Archivist at The Wittliff Collections, shares her journey into the world of archives, emphasizing the joy of connecting scholars with unique materials. She discusses the treasures housed at the Wittliff, including significant works by Cormac McCarthy, and offers insights into upcoming accruals, featuring personal papers and letters. The conversation delves into the challenges of digital preservation and the importance of maintaining original order in archival processing. Katie's enthusiasm for literature shines as she reflects on her favorite authors, including her experiences reading McCarthy's works.

Jonathan Elmore, an English professor and McCarthy scholar, and Rick Elmore, a philosopher specializing in critical theory and McCarthy studies, discuss No Country for Old Men. They talk about the book’s major characters and dual narrative. They debate Chigurh’s coin, posthuman logic, and neoliberal readings. They compare novel and film, Bell’s moral frame, and how violence and memory shape meaning.

Ron Rash, an award-winning novelist and professor known for his exploration of Appalachian life, shares his insights on the literary influence of Cormac McCarthy. He discusses his upbringing in Western North Carolina and the early works that shaped him as a writer. Rash reflects on his admiration for McCarthy, particularly the poetic qualities in 'Suttree,' and the emotional complexity of McCarthy's characters. He also defends the importance of the short story form and emphasizes the need for students to engage deeply with literature.

This episode of READING MCCARTHY welcomes to the podcast for the first time Austin Smith.  Austin studied history and literature at the University of Georgia. He has worked as a photographer and a professional adventure photographer, following the art into aviation, mountaineering, and motorcycle racing. He now leads a human resources consulting business in Denver, Colorado. A couple of years ago he hooked up an Airstream fifth wheel RV to his truck and, armed with a load of McCarthy novels, followed the books’ trails across the southwest.  At one point things maybe even get a little Indiana Jones for Austin (or possibly Bobby Western).  Austin’s blog on the subject may be found here: http://www.austincameronsmith.com/photo-essay-cormac-mccarthys-borderlandsThomas Frye composed, performed, and produced the music for READING MCCARTHY.  The views of the host and his guests do not necessarily reflect the views of their home institutions or the Cormac McCarthy Society. If you’re agreeable it’ll help us if you provide favorable reviews on your favorite podcasting platforms.  If you enjoy this podcast, you may also enjoy the GREAT AMERICAN NOVEL PODCAST, hosted by myself and Kirk Curnutt. To contact me, please reach out to readingmccarthy(@)gmail.com. Despite the evening redness in the west Reading McCarthy is still nominally on X aka Twitter that was.  The website is at readingmccarthy.buzzsprout.com, and if you’d like to support the show you can click on the little heart symbol at the top of the webpage to buy the show a cappuccino. Support the showStarting 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...

Dr. Bryan Vescio, a Cormac McCarthy expert and Professor at High Point University, dives deep into McCarthy's harrowing novel, exploring themes of survival and morality in a post-apocalyptic world. They discuss the significance of the book's sparse prose, the absence of chapter breaks, and its Christological imagery. Vescio contrasts the father's protective instincts with nihilism's despair, while unraveling the symbolism of fire and the complex role of the mother. Ultimately, they ponder The Road's place in McCarthy's oeuvre and its profound commentary on humanity.