/lit/ - Literature

Whatever l read l always romanticize it, when mccarthy describes condoms, sewage and the rancid meat bait in the beginning of suttree l just picture a dirty but tranquil river, and even though reading his description makes me sick l still think it would be nice to stare at the surface of the river where the sun hits it and the motes spiral in the light while you sail along by letting the current take you in a brokendown skiff for hours on end
Same with miller at the end of butchers crossing, hes a loser and you aren't supposed to idolise him but l can't help but see him as godlike in the mountains and at the end when he builds the fire
Then in blood meridian even though most of it is supposed to be horrific and terrifying l just see it as picturesque and calming, the stars rolling over the edge of the earth, the vast expanse of desert, solitary hawks and vultures, blue mountains on the horizon, shows of camaraderie between the group (albeit limited) and hospitality towards travellers (above the border mostly)
Theres other things that make it relaxing
>no constant descriptions of characters feelings
>no worry about having a set schedule to go to work
>no worry about social mobility (its just the kid, his horse, his companions and his revolver)
>live off the land until riding into the next town for a drink then shooting up the place and claiming receipts
>its always sunny
>comedic relief; killing the provinces own citizens and passing their scalps off as apache, almost every interaction between the judge and simpletons/various dimwitted members of the group, most interactions with mexicans/injinns
>southern hospitality
>no soppy romance
>no depressing family loss
>no annoying children (most of the way through)
>pleasant gunbattles to break up the monotony
>at one with the land, journeying across the plains

This is why l it feels like whenever l read something intentionally sentimental and romanticized, half the enjoyment is gone for me