The Passenger by Cormac McCarthy follows Bobby Western, a salvage diver who becomes entangled in a mysterious plane wreck investigation, and his sister Alicia, a mathematical prodigy dealing with schizophrenia and hallucinations. The narrative delves into their struggles with grief, genius, and existential questions, unfolding through philosophical dialogues and disjointed flashbacks. Depictions of suicide, mental health disorders, and insensitive language toward marginalized communities are prominent in the novel.

The Passenger by Cormac McCarthy has garnered mixed reviews. Praise centers on McCarthy's masterful prose and complex narrative style, which highlight themes of loss and existentialism. However, some readers find the plot overly convoluted and the character development lacking. This novel will appeal to avid McCarthy fans but might challenge those seeking more straightforward storytelling.

A reader who would enjoy The Passenger by Cormac McCarthy is likely fascinated by existential themes, complex characters, and profound philosophical questions. Fans of McCarthy's other works, such as Blood Meridian and The Road, or readers who appreciate the dense narrative style of Don DeLillo's White Noise, will find this novel compelling.

Mysterious / Dark / Contemplative / Melancholic / Suspenseful

Cormac McCarthy

Adult

Novel

The Passenger

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore The Passenger reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read The Passenger | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore The Passenger and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Passenger Summary and Study Guide

Background

The Passenger Background

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prologue-Chapter 2

The Passenger Prologue-Chapter 2 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 3-4

The Passenger Chapters 3-4 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 5-6

The Passenger Chapters 5-6 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 7-8

The Passenger Chapters 7-8 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 9-10

The Passenger Chapters 9-10 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

The Passenger Character Analysis

theme

Themes

The Passenger Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Passenger Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

The Passenger Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

The Passenger Essay Topics

The Passenger

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Passenger?

Reading Age

Book Details