TL;DR
The Passenger is a gripping tale of a salvage diver haunted by loss, pursued by conspiracy, and grappling with existential dilemmas.
What is The Passenger about
The Passenger, the first volume of a two-part series by Cormac McCarthy, delves into the life of Bobby Western, a salvage diver who uncovers a chilling mystery in a sunken jet. Set in 1980, Pass Christian, Mississippi, the novel combines themes of loss, spirituality, and the search for meaning. Western is pursued by enigmatic forces while dealing with personal hauntings, including the ghost of his father and the troubled memory of his sister. McCarthy's narrative traverses the American South, blending dark humor with profound existential questions about morality, science, and human consciousness.
The Passenger 5 Key Takeaways
The Discovery
Bobby Western dives into a sunken jet and finds nine bodies, with one missing passenger, the pilot's flight bag, and the plane's black box absent. This mystery sets the stage for the novel's unfolding events.
Pursued by Authorities
Western becomes a target for authorities who suspect him of being involved in a conspiracy. This external conflict drives much of the novel's tension.
Ghosts of the Past
Western is haunted by the memory of his father, the inventor of the atomic bomb, and his sister, whose love and ruin profoundly affect him.
Southern Journey
The narrative moves through various locations in the American South, from New Orleans barrooms to an abandoned oil rig off the Florida coast, enriching the novel's atmosphere and themes.
Existential Struggle
Western grapples with existential questions about life, death, and morality, which are central to the novel's philosophical depth.
Top The Passenger Quotes
- Blends the rowdy humor of some of McCarthy’s early novels with the parched tone of his more apocalyptic later work.
Who should read The Passenger?
The Passenger is ideal for readers who enjoy complex, thought-provoking narratives that blend mystery, existential philosophy, and richly detailed settings. Fans of McCarthy's previous works like The Road and No Country for Old Men will find this novel particularly engaging.
The Passenger Best Reviews
- The New York Times praises The Passenger for blending 'the rowdy humor of some of McCarthy’s early novels with the parched tone of his more apocalyptic later work.'
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The Passenger FAQs
Is The Passenger hard to read?
Yes, some readers find The Passenger challenging due to its complex dialogue, themes of quantum mechanics, and unconventional narrative structure.
Who is the thalidomide kid in The Passenger?
The Thalidomide Kid is a character that may reference the protagonist from McCarthy's 1985 novel Blood Meridian, contributing to the novel's layered and intertextual complexity.
Do I read Stella Maris or The Passenger first?
It is recommended to read The Passenger first, followed by Stella Maris, as intended by Cormac McCarthy.