The novel All the Pretty Horses by Cormic McCarthy presents us with a young mans journey through the regions of the unknown into adulthood. This novel, at once a western, a coming of age story and a picturesque adventure gives the story of John Grady Cole. All the Pretty Horses begins with the funeral of John Grady Cole's grandfather. With his death, John Grady's mother will sell their Texas ranch and move away. There is nothing left in Texas for John Grady, who loves the ranch and idealizes the cowboy's way of life. Only sixteen years old, John Grady runs away from home with his friend Rawlins. On horseback, they head toward the Mexican border. A younger boy named Jimmy Blevins joins them along the way. Together, the three cross over the Rio Grande into Mexico. During the course of their travels the three pass through a town by the name of Encantada. Scared of the storm that was moving in Jimmy Blevins hid in a ditch, and when he awoke the next morning, his horse and his pistol were gone. This was the beginning of all their troubles. Jimmy decides to take his horse back and so the three ride off to escape capture. John and Rawlins ride until they come across a ranch and are offered some work. There, John impresses the owner, Don Hector, and is given the opportunity to become head breeder. John also falls in love with Alejandra, Don Hector's daughter. They begin a love affair until Alfonsa discovers their secret and decided to bring it to an end. John along with Rawlins is then sent to jail where they endure beatings and tragedy. After countless problems, John eventually makes it back Texas, but without his beloved Alejandra. This is a novel of choices. John came across many problems through out his journey, and with every choice that he made; he was left to deal with the outcome. This novel argues that we might not always know what we are doing, but we are always responsible of the choices we make.
