The Sunset Limited

A Novel in Dramatic Form

By: Cormac McCarthy

Narrated by: Austin Pendleton, Ezra Knight, Tom Stechschulte

Length: 1 hr and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

A startling encounter on a New York subway platform leads two strangers to a run-down tenement where a life or death decision must be made.

In that small apartment, Black and White, as the two men are known, begin a conversation that leads each back through his own history, mining the origins of two fundamentally opposing world views. White is a professor whose seemingly enviable existence of relative ease has left him nonetheless in despair. Black, an ex-con and ex-addict, is the more hopeful of the men, though he is just as desperate to convince White of the power of faith as White is desperate to deny it. Their aim is no less than this: to discover the meaning of life.

Deft, spare, and full of artful tension, The Sunset Limited is a beautifully crafted, consistently thought-provoking, and deceptively intimate work by one of the most insightful writers of our time.

©2007 Cormac McCarthy (P)2010 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

“A brilliantly articulated piece, penned by a wildly acclaimed fiction writer. Nothing short of dazzling. So astonishingly effecting, so powerful, so stimulating!” ( Chicago Tribune)

A Masterpiece. Like a bullet.

This is such a powerful piece of writing made even more impactful with outstanding performances of the narrators. Not unusual for McCarthy of course, but unusual for me to actually write a review. Sunset Limited is perhaps the best less-than two hours I’ve spent with art in a very long time. I’m having a hard time finding the words with which to praise this writing and performance so I will simply say, listen to it immediately, completely and without distraction. Then share it with someone else. So much better than a movie.

A great work

This is beautiful in its simplicity, It revels in its conceit, in its concept and in the rich (if somewhat hackneyed) characters that it illuminates.

To me, it feels like many real conversations I’ve had over drinks with folks from different walks of life… but the framework lends the conversation more depth and adds a pivotal supernatural undertone. A great exploration of the meaning and purpose of life well explored by excellent voice actors.

god damn that was depressing

hell of a performance from both people and tom always kills that shit. that was depressing as hell though oh my lord.

Stunning narration of classic McCarthy

Two of the best narrative performances I’ve found. McCarthy delivers a compact classic deeply exploring two very different world views.

Sad philosophical dialog that opens one to wonder.

Excellent dramatic performances in this two-hander theatrical presentation. Superb writing by Cormac McCarthy who has a knife-sharp precision with vocabulary. Ponders serious questions about the purpose or senselessness of life and the responsibilities we owe to others, if any.

Stunningly well read

0:22 Message 1, sent to the woman who is most passionate about books:
I'm only 20 minutes in, but the first ten alone would be make the next 70 minutes of it worthwhile even if they suck. Worth breaking your audio resistance :).

00:23 Message 2, sent to my brother the preacher:
If you haven't listened to this, the first 10 minutes of the 102 already indicate a strong recommendation (specifically to you). I love you, my brother. <3

00:52 Message 3, sent to my brother the preacher:
LOL... okay... after 29 minutes more listening, I'm like WHAT HAVE I DONE???
And, still, the recommendation stands.

01:18 Message 4, sent from my brother the preacher:
:) - will have to see what you're hearing. ...
Just put in a hold request.
How are you doing?

01:24 Message 5, sent to my brother the preacher:
At the moment, I am completely delighted with life and thought and Cormac McCarthy and exceptionally good and heartfelt reading and severely disappointed that there are only 38 minutes of this specific joy left.
I am well.
You?

01:42 Message 6, sent to the woman who is most passionate about books:
The next 70 minutes didn't suck.
-----------

This book. Not for the faint of heart, but it's Cormac McCarthy, so you already knew that.
I strongly recommend this audio edition. I suspect I wouldn't have gotten as much out of it in print. I could be wrong.

*Lets it rest for the night*

** And then hits Play again. **

Another classic by Cormac McCarthy

Look no further for a quick, satisfying listen. The narrators were great, bringing the dialogue to life.

dare to listen.

I can imagine samuel l. jackson being the black.i will attempt to find the movie version.

Great book!

Phenomenal! I bought this after seeing the movie. Both men are in hell and the only way out is for one of them to give up to the other. And tomorrow they will repeat the day.

Excellent

Excellent story.
Excellent performances.
Excellent writer.
Unexpected.
The more I read Mcarthy, the closer I come to proclaiming him my favorite.