Share the Obsession

I have admitted before, I get obsessed with certain authors (George Saunders anyone?) The latest, and fairly long lasting one, is Cormac McCarthy. He is brilliant, dark, meaningful and I believe has something to say that is of utmost relevance to our world. More specifically the violence of society. I could say, the U.S., but I don't want to release Canada or other countries from our share of responsibility.

We live in dark times. There is no way around that. Sure, other places and times have thought the same thing (pass me that bunch of grapes Caesar, I am watching civilization fall). Yet, there is something that feels so different about our current civilization. I can't help but think others thought this too. But I can't time travel, I live in the here and now (except when I escape into the dystopian future or past of authors like P.K. Dick and McCarthy).

My point in mentioning this, is tonight I lead a discussion on McCarthy's Pulitzer prize winning, The Road. I am confident that first time readers of McCarthy are bound to get a bit messed up - especially if they took to reading him before bed.

Still, I am excited about the prospect of talking about a writer that I think matters so very much. In the midst of the pain, dystopia, blood and guts, depressive hell-like scenario of his books is beauty. And a call to hold onto that beauty.

Now that's an obsession.