GROUP READ: Suttree by Cormac McCarthy

This is a discussion thread for August's group read of Suttree by Cormac McCarthy. I'm inclined to have just the one thread rather than a spoiler and a non-spoiler thread, so if you're one of the first to finish the book, either try to avoid spoilers in your comments or mark them as such.

I picked up the copy I had on hold from the library this evening. Looks like I will be starting Suttree this evening as the holds lists for this one means I can only have it out for two weeks. With the long weekend coming up I am looking forward to some uninterrupted reading time.

I have my copy ready to go and will probably start it tomorrow.

I'm about 20 pages into the book and I'm liking the local flavor. I can picture the location on the river and some of the local landmarks he's mentioned.

I am over the 100 page mark and really finding myself drawn into the setting and the story. I was a little worried at first - the prologue had me concerned I was taking on something that was going to be way over my head - but the story itself has a heady feel to it in a different and easier to understand manner that has me wanting to spend all my time curled up in a chair with the book. Thankfully, the weather was beautiful today and perfect for reading outdoors! I started to get a little frustrated when I couldn't pinpoint the era so I was happy when, on page 66, I knew I was in Knoxville, Tennessee in the year 1951.

I agree, McCarthy has a way with presenting the story for a reader to visualize!

Onwards with the reading.

I found this page linked to the Suttree entry on Wikipedia and thought you might like to see the photographs: http://web.utk.edu/~wmorgan/Suttree/suttree.htm

The bridges are still here, although the Henley Street Bridge is under renovation and most of the road is missing. It was deconstructed to the point that only the arches were left. They're in the rebuilding phase now and it's supposed to be finished by June 2013.

It will be after August 15 before I begin. I'm planning on using our library's copy, and since I don't head back to work until then, it will be at least that date before I can join.

I agree that McCarthy is a very visual writer. Can anyone identify the species of moth described on page 89? My guess is Automeris io, the same moth that the fictional Lusa described as "her second-favorite moth" in Barbara Kingsolver's "Prodigal Summer" (p. 33). But I am far from knowing anything about moth identification.

> 7 - Hi Lori, looking forward to you joining later this month! I can see where this book can generate some good discussions!

> 8 Hi wesmorgan, welcome to Librarything! Sadly I know nothing about moth identification but the one described on page 89 does intrigue me, especially the description of the "robber's mask" and "wizened face not unlike a monkey's and wearing a windswept ermine shako". Never though a description of a moth would captivate my attention!

>8 wesmorgan: I'll second Lori's welcome to LibraryThing! I love your photograph of the bridges. What time of year did you take it? I think those of us on the south side of the river have an especially strong bond with the bridges. We have to use one of the bridges to get to any other part of town.

I'm only up to page 76 so I haven't come across the moth description yet. I'm afraid I won't be any help, though, since my science knowledge is so limited.

Lori, I should mention that the Woodlawn Cemetery mentioned on p. 14 is right behind the public library branch I visit most often. I don't have to pass it to get to the library, but since I usually stop at the library on my way to or from somewhere else, I drive past the cemetery all the time.

The bridges photo was taken in the fall about 8 or 9-years ago if I recall correctly. Thanks for the nice words. I wish that I could take them like that more often.

> 11 - Hi Wes, I am looking forward to viewing all the photos on your site after I have finished Suttree.

I am now passed the half way mark - currently at page 259 - and have had my reading stalled by finding myself inadvertently being sucked into the Olympic coverage. In the past 7 days I have become a full on soccer fan (surprisingly so) along with following other events but I will be back to my reading of Suttree this weekend. Promise.

I haven't made any progress at all this week. I was asked on Sunday to play for a wedding tomorrow. The Olympics have eaten up whatever time I haven't been spending on practice for the wedding. I too hope to get back to Suttree over the weekend.

I think everyone has fallen victim to the Olympics as far as reading.

My reading for the month of August has completely fallen by the wayside. My main goal now is to complete Suttree in the next two days which should be do-able as I only has 100 pages left to go.

Great book and stunning piece of writing evoking time and place. Part of me is afraid to continue because at some point the book will then end......

Unfortunately I don't think I'll be able to finish it by the end of the month. I've completely stalled on it. I've been battling an ear/sinus infection most of the month and I'm now on my second round of antibiotics. I just haven't been alert enough to give it the attention it deserves. I feel like I've turned a corner in the past couple of days, so I may be able to get back to it soon.

Finished Suttree last night. What a great book! I was a bit let down by the final 50 pages .... it just didn't hold my attention like the rest of the book did. Spoiler-free review can be found on my thread here: (post 210)