Author Archives: susan

LITERATURE: Suttree

Uh-oh.  I am down to the last thirty pages, drawing it out as long as I can, unwilling to let go.  McCarthy is disposing of his characters, one by one.  You knew this is where they’d go, where their lives … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in LITERATURE | Tagged , | Comments Off on LITERATURE: Suttree

LITERATURE: Suttree

I’m sorry, but Suttree is just one of those books you just have to share… Leonard’s just out of the workhouse where he spent some time when they found out about his father.  Yep, the old man surfaced, dragging his … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in LITERATURE | Tagged , | 3 Comments

LITERATURE: Suttree

Your protagonist must make the reader feel sympathetic they say.  There is no doubt that I feel something for Bud Suttree.  I stood by him all the way, watched him get drunk and saw him safely home.  Went along with … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in LITERATURE | Tagged , | 1 Comment

LITERATURE: McCarthy/Parker – A Link

First off, this is Spinning post number 2001.  Neat eh?   Or is it time to shut up? But not before I share this, a technique I found Dorothy Parker exercised in "The Lovely Leave" that of the fuchsia plant the … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in LITERATURE | Tagged , , | Comments Off on LITERATURE: McCarthy/Parker – A Link

LITERATURE: Dorothy Parker

When I picked up (borrowed from John) "The Portable Dorothy Parker," the first story I read–the first in the book–was "The Lovely Leave."  I was dumbstruck by the simple language, the useage that wove it into gold.  The book is … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in LITERATURE | Tagged | 2 Comments

LITERATURE: Suttree’s Demons

At long last I read the words that have been pointed out to me many months ago:  "Am I a monster?  Are there monsters in me?" There is a bond I feel with Suttree, not of lifestyle or way of … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in LITERATURE | Tagged , | Comments Off on LITERATURE: Suttree’s Demons

LITERATURE: Suttree/Character Via Dialogue

And here I thought Dorothy Parker was good; here’s McCarthy’s Suttree when they finally find their way back to camp:  "He lay down in his blankets.  It was growing dark, long late midsummer twilight in the woods.  He wanted to … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in LITERATURE | Tagged , , | Comments Off on LITERATURE: Suttree/Character Via Dialogue

LITERATURE: Suttree/Imagery & Structure

How’s this for imagery:  "They crossed a pasture where grackles blue and metallic in the sun were turning up dried cowpats for the worms beneath and they went on past the back side of a junklot with the sun wearing … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in LITERATURE | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on LITERATURE: Suttree/Imagery & Structure

LITERATURE: Suttree-Back In My Sweet Baby’s Arms

Though Suttree went along for the ride a couple days last week, I finally got the chance to spend more time with him last night.  I find that now I smile in amusement at Harrogate’s doings, as one does with … Continue reading

Posted in LITERATURE | Tagged , | Comments Off on LITERATURE: Suttree-Back In My Sweet Baby’s Arms

LITERATURE: Suttree and God

The ragpicker, tired of living, with Suttree.  It won’t be long, he said.  An old man’s days are numbered. And what happens then? When? After you’re dead. Dont nothin happen.  You’re dead. You told me once you believed in God. … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in LITERATURE | Tagged , | Comments Off on LITERATURE: Suttree and God

LITERATURE: Suttree

Oh Lord, this is great. Ole pimply Leonard wants Suttree to help him unload his old man who has been dead for six months and left in the back room so’s they can still collect his welfare and medical checks. … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in LITERATURE | Tagged , | Comments Off on LITERATURE: Suttree

LITERATURE: Suttree…and Michael

(Am studying my fool head off, but needed a break from carbs.) McCarthy has just introduced the new character of Michael into Suttree’s life.  Michael is an Indian whom Suttree spots out on the river one day, fishing in a … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in LITERATURE | Tagged , | Comments Off on LITERATURE: Suttree…and Michael

LITERATURE: More Parker

All right, I finally have ordered my own copy of "The Portable Dorothy Parker" (I’m on borrowed reading) because it is something that I would like to have on hand to remind myself of how to reveal character.  Although Parker’s … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in LITERATURE | Tagged | Comments Off on LITERATURE: More Parker

LITERATURE: Parker

The women in Parker’s stories have much in common, whether from the high side of society or the low, and they differ only in their knowledge and handling of their situation of status.  It is the purpose of these women … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in LITERATURE | Tagged | Comments Off on LITERATURE: Parker

LITERATURE: Suttree

I need to get more into the underlying meanings of Suttree, but right now I’m still taken by the writing and the essentials of place, character, arc, etc.  Let me give you an example of McCarthy’s dialogue, between Harrogate (watermelon … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in LITERATURE | Tagged , | Comments Off on LITERATURE: Suttree