is acquainted with some of the local boys, eventually including John Wesley. Reception In 1965, critic Orville Prescott argued that McCarthy’s extensive use of Faulknerian literary devices and mannerisms in The Orchard Keeper is “exasperating”, though also wrote, “Mr. McCarthy is expert in generating an emotional climate, in suggesting instead of in stating, in creating a long succession of brief, dramatic scenes described with flashing visual impact. He may neglect the motivation of some of his characters. He may leave some doubt as to what is going on now. But he does write with torrential power.” In Kirkus Reviews, it was written that “McCarthy's novel, While [sic] desolate, is effective in many ways; there is some unusual writing furrowed by a stark, visual imagery while the story itself has a shadowed fascination.” Bibliography References The Official Website of the Cormac McCarthy Society Prescott, O., Still Another Disciple of William Faulkner, The New York Times, May 1965 1965 American novels 1965 debut novels Novels by Cormac McCarthy Southern United States in fiction Random House books Novels set in Tennessee Novels set in Appalachia