46 pages • 1 hour read
Cormac McCarthyThe Passenger
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2022A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Passenger by Cormac McCarthy follows Bobby Western, a salvage diver who becomes entangled in a mysterious plane wreck investigation, and his sister Alicia, a mathematical prodigy dealing with schizophrenia and hallucinations. The narrative delves into their struggles with grief, genius, and existential questions, unfolding through philosophical dialogues and disjointed flashbacks. Depictions of suicide, mental health disorders, and insensitive language toward marginalized communities are prominent in the novel.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
The Passenger by Cormac McCarthy has garnered mixed reviews. Praise centers on McCarthy's masterful prose and complex narrative style, which highlight themes of loss and existentialism. However, some readers find the plot overly convoluted and the character development lacking. This novel will appeal to avid McCarthy fans but might challenge those seeking more straightforward storytelling.
Who Should Read The Passenger?
A reader who would enjoy The Passenger by Cormac McCarthy is likely fascinated by existential themes, complex characters, and profound philosophical questions. Fans of McCarthy's other works, such as Blood Meridian and The Road, or readers who appreciate the dense narrative style of Don DeLillo's White Noise, will find this novel compelling.