After a sixteen year wait, we finally have a new novel by Cormac McCarthy grasped in our greedy little podcasting clutches.  In this episode of the podcast, we break with form a bit.  There's no guest discussion this episode; instead we offer a quick review of THE PASSENGER.  Is it completely correct to call it McCarthy's "new novel" since we know he's been working on it since at least the early 90s?  Has the wait been worth it?  With this prove a worthy finale to a remarkable career?  Do you have to be able to discuss cosmic string theory at length to understand it?  Where do the physical, the metaphysical, and the metafictional all meet?  The review tries to avoid big spoilers other than those provided by the book jacket and already leaked through other major reviews.  As always, thanks to Thomas Frye, who composed, performed, and produced the music for READING MCCARTHY.   The views of the podcaster and his guests (when they are on the podcast) do not necessarily reflect the views of their home institutions or the Cormac McCarthy Society, although in our hearts we hope they’ll someday see the light.  Download and follow us on Apple, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.  If you’re agreeable it’ll help us if you provide favorable reviews on these platforms.  If you enjoy this podcast you may also enjoy the GREAT AMERICAN PODCAST, hosted by myself and Kirk Curnutt.  To contact me, please reach out to readingmccarthy(@)gmail.com. Find us on Twitter and Facebook; the website is at readingmccarthy.buzzsprout.com, and if you’d like to support the show you can click on the little heart symbol at the top of the webpage to buy the show a cappuccino, or you can support us at www.patreon.com/readingmccarthy. Support the show