/wion/media/agency_attachments/2024/12/26/2024-12-26t112006978z-wion-white-logo-for-website-2-1.png){kind=logo}
/wion/media/agency_attachments/2024/12/13/2024-12-13t071548098z-wionlogo.webp)
/wion/media/member_avatars/2024/12/29/2024-12-28t192729012z-img-20241226-wa0001-1.jpg)
/wion/media/member_avatars/2024/12/29/2024-12-28t192729012z-img-20241226-wa0001-1.jpg)
/wion/media/post_attachments/files/2023/06/14/359303-160628-cormac1-mccarthy-cheatytzv7e.jpeg)
Washington DC, USA
Renowned American author Cormac McCarthy, the winner of 2007 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, has passed away at the age of 89, confirmed his publisher, Penguin Random House. The acclaimed novelist is best known for his works such as The Road and No Country for Old Men, both of which were adapted into successful films.
McCarthy's literature often delved into violent narratives, exploring themes set in the American frontier and post-apocalyptic worlds. Despite his gripping storytelling, McCarthy maintained a highly private lifestyle away from the public eye.
How did Cormac McCarthy die?
McCarthy died of natural causes at his residence in Santa Fe, New Mexico on Tuesday. Following his death, fellow author Stephen King paid tribute to McCarthy, referring to him as "maybe the greatest American novelist of my time." King further expressed his sorrow over the author's passing, acknowledging the significant body of work McCarthy leaves behind.
Pan Macmillan, McCarthy's UK publisher, described him as one of the most influential and renowned writers worldwide. McCarthy's unique writing style, characterised by minimal punctuation and attribution, captivated readers throughout his career. His typewriter of choice was an Olivetti Underwood Lettera 32.
A glance at McCarthy’s literary journey
McCarthy's literary journey began in 1965 with the release of his debut novel, The Orchard Keeper, followed by Outer Dark in 1968. Over the years, he produced notable works such as Child of God, Suttree, and Blood Meridian.
Watch: Writers Guild of America strike over pay disputes with streaming giants
The Road, published in 2006, drew inspiration from McCarthy's relationship with his son, John, born from his third marriage to Jennifer Winkley. This masterpiece earned McCarthy the James Tait Black Memorial Prize and the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.
The author's repertoire also includes critically acclaimed novels like All the Pretty Horses and No Country for Old Men.
The Road and No Country for Old Men found favor in Hollywood. No Country was adapted into a chilling Oscar-winning thriller directed by Joel and Ethan Coen, while The Road got the big-screen treatment with Viggo Mortensen in the lead role.
No Country for Old Men garnered widespread acclaim and received four Academy Awards in 2008, including Best Picture. The film adaptation featured an exceptional cast including Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Tommy Lee Jones, and Woody Harrelson.
McCarthy's final works, The Passenger and Stella Maris, were released in late 2022. These interconnected books explored profound questions surrounding God, truth, and existence, showcasing McCarthy's intellectual depth and continued creativity.
Cormac McCarthy’s early life
McCarthy was born in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1933 in an Irish Catholic family. He was one of six siblings. But he spent most of his childhood in Knoxville, Tennessee, where his father worked as a lawyer.
WATCH WION LIVE HERE