Cormac McCarthy Books: Where to Start & Reading Order

Where to start with Cormac McCarthy, and the correct reading order for the books that connect.

Cormac McCarthy wrote twelve novels, and apart from the Border Trilogy and the 2022 pair The Passenger and Stella Maris, they stand alone. So the real question isn't the order but where to start. Some of his books are far more approachable than others.

Our Recommendation: Start with The Road or No Country for Old Men Start with The Road or No Country for Old Men. Then read the Border Trilogy in order (All the Pretty Horses, The Crossing, Cities of the Plain). Take on Blood Meridian once you're used to his style. Read The Passenger before Stella Maris.

Best Places to Start

Shorter, propulsive novels that show what McCarthy does best.

  1. The RoadBuy NowAudible2006
  2. No Country for Old MenBuy NowAudible2005
  3. All the Pretty HorsesBuy NowAudible1992
Own the Complete Series Buying the whole series at once is usually cheaper than individual books, and box sets make a great gift. See Cormac McCarthy box set options on Amazon ›

The Passenger and Stella Maris (read together)

Two linked novels published weeks apart in 2022. Read The Passenger first.

  1. The PassengerBuy NowAudible2022
  2. Stella MarisBuy NowAudible2022

The Border Trilogy

See our full Border Trilogy reading order.

  1. All the Pretty HorsesBuy NowAudible1992
  2. The CrossingBuy NowAudible1994
  3. Cities of the PlainBuy NowAudible1998

The Appalachian Novels and Blood Meridian (publication order)

His earlier work. It is darker and denser, and best read once you know his style.

  1. The Orchard KeeperBuy NowAudible1965
  2. Outer DarkBuy NowAudible1968
  3. Child of GodBuy NowAudible1973
  4. SuttreeBuy NowAudible1979
  5. Blood MeridianBuy NowAudible1985

Frequently Asked Questions

What order should I read Cormac McCarthy in?

Start with The Road or No Country for Old Men. Then read the Border Trilogy in order (All the Pretty Horses, The Crossing, Cities of the Plain). Take on Blood Meridian once you're used to his style. Read The Passenger before Stella Maris.

Should I read The Passenger or Stella Maris first?

The Passenger first. Stella Maris is a companion novel told almost entirely as conversations, and it makes most sense after The Passenger.

Is Blood Meridian a good place to start?

It's often called his masterpiece, but it is extremely violent and its style is demanding. Most readers enjoy it more after a couple of his more accessible novels.

Do Cormac McCarthy books need to be read in order?

Only the Border Trilogy and The Passenger/Stella Maris are connected. Everything else is a standalone novel.

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