First thing is first: I know I have to re-read this book when I have the time and patience to be enveloped by its long-winded sentences and eerie scene settings. Maybe because it's summer, or maybe it's because I'm so busy, but I would sometimes get bored with the novel (it's only 300 pages but I felt like I was reading Moby Dick at times!) and other times I would be completely stunned or my attention quickly regained when some sort of action, or, really atrocity happened.

It's wonderfully and creatively written and McCarthy surprised me earlier this year when I read The Road - and I loved it. But this is nothing like The Road. I've never been a huge fan of Westerns, and though I can see the merit of this writing, the subject matter often made me cringe or...fall asleep. I simply don't think I was ready to concentrate - and this novel needs a whole lot of concentration, because though it can be slow, there is so much happening in the lines, beneath them, and between them.

I know the glimmers of reading in which I loved the book will return with greater power once I take the time and am of the right mood to read it again.