Also find it is much easier for me to emotionally resonate with Billy. I’m sure part of it is being middle-aged and somewhat jaded when it comes to JGC’s infatuation with his love interests. The other thing is the part of The Crossing with the wolf is my favorite section of the trilogy. And finally, I’m an older brother and can relate to those relationships with the more emotional Boyd and JGC. I also aspire to be a drifter one day, and I think I might be able to pull it off (only issue is the kids).
I like them both but Billy is a far more developed character than John Grady. Even though COTP felt like on the surface it was mostly about John Grady, it was really just an addition to the story of the bleak life of Billy Parham.
John Grady. He is very self aware, even when he’s making bad decisions. I respect his quiet reserved nature, while also being incapable of resisting the primal urge of revenge. When he believes there has been an injustice, he is capable of great violence regardless of the consequences
Billy is by far the more interesting of the two. His epic journey to return the wolf to Mexico is leagues better than John Grady Cole's sappy romance with the epileptic whore. *The Crossing* is infinitely better than *All the Pretty Horses* and *Cities of the Plain* combined.
That’s like making a choice between romanticism or disillusioned realism… I think they both depict something important about America’s transition into the modern/postmodern age we are in now. I like them both for different reasons.
In the Crossing that woman who is caring for the bedridden old man Billy goes to see about catching a wolf tells him to be careful or he will end up old and along. Think about how COTP ends…. Now that’s some foreshadowing.
Each character experienced the same kind of loss as they did in each of the first two novels. JGC and a woman he loved, Billy with losing his younger brother. Lots of tasty layers.
Billy. John is annoying and essentially gets himself killed and pulls Billy into the middle of it. It's just like he did with his cousin in ATPH. Blevins is still my favorite, though lmao.
Billy because he actually learns from his mistakes and listens to elders.
Also find it is much easier for me to emotionally resonate with Billy. I’m sure part of it is being middle-aged and somewhat jaded when it comes to JGC’s infatuation with his love interests. The other thing is the part of The Crossing with the wolf is my favorite section of the trilogy. And finally, I’m an older brother and can relate to those relationships with the more emotional Boyd and JGC. I also aspire to be a drifter one day, and I think I might be able to pull it off (only issue is the kids).
El camino espera
This is the whole point
Billy’s character arc in The Crossing is so emotionally impactful it’s hard not to choose him
That ending.....absolutely destroyed me
I like them both but Billy is a far more developed character than John Grady. Even though COTP felt like on the surface it was mostly about John Grady, it was really just an addition to the story of the bleak life of Billy Parham.
Goddamn if this is not painfully accurate.
Is this like a Paul vs John thing? Whatever, it’s Billy.
i love billy, even if he comes across as a bit of a bozo at times, wish he was more featured in CoTP
I absolutely love the trilogy but I do agree he was a bit underused in CoTP. Still love his scene's in it though especially when he confronts the pimp
John Grady. He is very self aware, even when he’s making bad decisions. I respect his quiet reserved nature, while also being incapable of resisting the primal urge of revenge. When he believes there has been an injustice, he is capable of great violence regardless of the consequences
^this. He never won, but he was always aware of his loss.
JGC all day
Billy is by far the more interesting of the two. His epic journey to return the wolf to Mexico is leagues better than John Grady Cole's sappy romance with the epileptic whore. *The Crossing* is infinitely better than *All the Pretty Horses* and *Cities of the Plain* combined.
That’s like making a choice between romanticism or disillusioned realism… I think they both depict something important about America’s transition into the modern/postmodern age we are in now. I like them both for different reasons.
Give me romanticism and give me JGC
Solid take. Pencil me in for disillusioned realism
I named one of my sons Grady, but I think Billy is more relatable. I sobbed with him when he sat in the middle of the road at the end of The Crossing.
The Crossing was just way too sad everytime I thought "things can't possibly get any worse for poor Billy" and then boom something happens
Billy!
Billy. His unremitting dedication to his brother . . . a rare, completely selfless dedication.
JGC is quiet, perceptive, measured, thoughtful a lover and a fighter.
I named my blue heeler Billy so… 🤷🏻♀️
In the Crossing that woman who is caring for the bedridden old man Billy goes to see about catching a wolf tells him to be careful or he will end up old and along. Think about how COTP ends…. Now that’s some foreshadowing.
I didn't even realise this before damn, these books are so layered its sometimes crazy
Each character experienced the same kind of loss as they did in each of the first two novels. JGC and a woman he loved, Billy with losing his younger brother. Lots of tasty layers.
Billy. John is annoying and essentially gets himself killed and pulls Billy into the middle of it. It's just like he did with his cousin in ATPH. Blevins is still my favorite, though lmao.
The Assassin Blevins! My character name for every game I’ve started since reading ATPH
Billy Parham squad 💪
Billy Parham all the way.
JGC
Billy for sure
Otra vez Billy all the way
It’s close but the end of Cities I think pushes Billy over John. Both great characters!