Review: Stella Maris, by Cormac McCarthy
I believe that, though it’s the shorter of the two books in this duology, Cormac McCarthy’s Stella Maris is a much richer book than The Passenger.
In Stella Maris, we are observers, so to speak, at seven sessions between Alicia Western and her therapist at the Stella Maris mental health facility. Together, they explore the nature of madness, of language, of communication, and of symbols.
For me, one of the most resonating moments is when Alicia admits that she always wanted to fit in, but could not countenance the price of admission. I was also fascinated by their examinations of the intersectionality of God, physics, faith, and reason, and our search to understand the complex relationship between them.
This is a very fascinating book, and even more worth reading than The Passenger. However, for a full understanding it’s best to read both books, and time and effort well-spent to do so.
Not Just Another Grouchy Grammarian 