New Biography Explores Cormac McCarthy's Troubled Personal Life

Tracy Daugherty's new biography, "Cormac McCarthy: A Legacy Revisited," examines the complex and often troubling personal life of the celebrated author, known for his bleak and violent literary works. The book, published by St. Martin's Press, aims to shed light on the man behind novels such as "The Border Trilogy" and "No Country for Old Men," who famously found discussions of his life "embarrassing."

Daugherty's account suggests that McCarthy actively discouraged interviewers from delving into his personal affairs, sometimes referring to his novel "Child of God"—a story about a necrophiliac—as semi-autobiographical. Friends described him as someone who "lived life on his own terms," often prioritizing his writing above personal relationships. This uncompromising approach may have stemmed from a difficult childhood marked by his father's physical abuse and his mother's fragile mental health.

McCarthy's literary career was not an immediate success. His second published short story, "A Drowning Incident," featured the drowning of puppies, hinting at a lifelong inclination towards dark themes. His first novel, "The Orchard Tree," was followed by a strained relationship with his first wife, Lee, who questioned his commitment to their family. He reportedly suggested she become a prostitute when she expressed financial concerns after leaving him.

Despite early struggles and a reputation for being a "hound" with friends' wives, McCarthy's career gained momentum. His 1979 novel "Suttree" received poor reviews and sales, but he was eventually awarded a MacArthur fellowship, which provided the financial means to write "Blood Meridian." Although "Blood Meridian" was also a commercial failure, its critical stature has grown significantly. McCarthy himself noted that for 23 years as a professional writer, he had never received a royalty check and lived in conditions he described as "unfit for human company."

Rise to Fame and Personal Turmoil

McCarthy achieved widespread recognition with the 1992 publication of "All the Pretty Horses," which sold 190,000 copies. However, fame did not bring him happiness. By 2005, his novels were being adapted into successful films, including the Oscar-winning "No Country for Old Men." Yet, Daugherty notes that McCarthy often expressed deep misery, lamenting, "I have no-one."

More recently, a Vanity Fair article alleged that McCarthy had a long affair with Augusta Britt, who was 16 when their relationship began, while he was in his 40s. He reportedly altered her biographical details to suggest she was of legal age. Britt commented on the situation, stating, "There's nothing more romantic than watching a man forge your birth certificate." Their relationship was described as on-and-off and not monogamous.

The biography also touches upon McCarthy's later works, including "The Passenger," "Stella Maris," and the screenplay for "The Counselor." While Daugherty handles the film adaptations effectively, he does not overstate the literary merit of McCarthy's final novels.

As the biography concludes, it circles back to questions raised in 2024 about McCarthy's legacy in light of these revelations: "Day after day, headlines posed a question only the future will answer: ‘Is Cormac McCarthy finished?’" The book suggests that if his reputation ultimately overshadows his literary contributions, this comprehensive biography might serve as evidence in that judgment.