Child of god by Cormac McCarthy
Cormac McCarthy’s Child of god, is probably the most disturbing book I have ever read. Having read three of McCarthy’s books, I am certainly aware of some of his thematic developments, but thus far, this is his darkest. We see a man who has as long as can be remembered, been a person clearly not right. Ballard is so depraved and given over to dark behavior, with such indifference, the reader wants to ask the question: could he truly be a son of god? Which god? It seems all light and hope has gone from this ‘child’, but you wonder if it was ever there. These are McCarthy’s themes, and it can in no way settle theological debates, but for Cormac, the ability for some to ever be remedied from their maladies is questionable at best. The reader is introduced to the main character, who is certainly not a protagonist, nor heroic in the least, in fact he is quite the opposite of anything hinting at goodness. The reader is made to feel that Ballards stupidity and utter simplicity, lack of moral grounding, and depravity, have always been there and will continue to be within this man. He is a child, but not in any innocent fashion. I found myself cringing at some of the scenes in this book, amazed at his stupidity, and horrified at some of the feelings I encountered. McCarthy is a serious author, and this book is certainly looking at the human person in a way that leaves little to no comfort. Haunting and at times graphic, I certainly would limit my recommendations for this book. I prefer The Road.