Cormac McCarthy's All the Pretty Horses: Book Review

All the Pretty Horses: Book Review

By Armando Ortiz

I’ve watched many “Western” or “Cowboy” films that I forget that at some point, that way of life was quickly ushered out of existence about a century ago. The novel All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy takes place in the mid-20th century, where cars are beginning to replace the old and traditional way of transportation- walking or riding horses. This essay will discuss the impact of technological change on traditional ways of life and explore the consequences of holding onto familiarity. McCarthy’s novel exemplifies this theme of adapting to change and clinging to the familiar.

Seeing that being a cowboy in Texas and the rest of the American Southwest is nearing its end, John Grady, and his friend Lacey Rawlins decide to head south of the border and find work there as cowboys and horse trainers. On their way south into Mexico they find a wandering kid, Jimmy Blevins, who claims to be from Oklahoma. Rawlins doesn’t like him much and despite the fact that they leave him behind, Blevins attaches himself to them and soon becomes a temporary member of the group. Jimmy looks and acts suspicious and at some point during a storm loses his horse. He convinces them to help him find his horse and gun, and in the process, more trouble arises, causing Belvins to separate from them.

After crossing through Coahuila and seeing some amazing views of the Cuatro Cienegas Basin John and Lacey finally find employment at a ranch. They seem to thrive since they are skilled at their work and easily communicate with the locals. In Mexico, they both fit in well, because cattle ranching and horse training is still part of their economy. Although they speak Spanish, they remain outsiders who can’t be trusted. John ends up meeting a young woman at work who turns out to be the daughter of the ranch owner, leading to some friction and trouble.

To their dismay, Blevins reappears but meets an unfortunate demise. One gets the impression that his life was mostly trouble, and might have very well been what we call today a throw away kid. Like many songs of bandits and criminals escaping law enforcement, Blevins seems to have sought refuge in Mexico. Being a foreigner in Mexico he naturally attaches himself to the main characters who are also from the U.S. Because of their association with Blevins, and Grady’s relationship with the ranch owner’s daughter, Grady and Rawlins end up in jail where they fend for themselves and fight for survival. Along the way they make some friends there, but have to engage in more gladiator combat. The novel reaches its climax with a prison fight, offering an inside ring view of the brutal bloodsport that tests the character’s resilience and survival instincts.

The underlying driving force of the story is trying to find one's way in a changing world and using the skills at one’s disposal to make a living while doing something that one enjoys. Despite Grady being from the U.S. his status among the other ranch employees is not much different. He is just a poor and broken cowboy. To make matters worse, he’s crossed some social boundaries which come to alter his life trajectory, along with his former female friend. Eventually Grady and Rawlins make it back home, somewhat recovered from their injuries. 

Once back in Texas, Grady takes it upon himself to find Belvins’ parents. The novel leaves us reflecting on the choices we make and their consequences. Sometimes one’s life trajectory is hard to see and we either adapt to the new world or the new world forces a change on us. The only thing we can go by is doing what we do best- following our heart, but beware, because life is not a dream.