No, All the Pretty Horses is not a true story. It is a work of fiction written by Cormac McCarthy. The novel, published in 1992, is the first book in McCarthy’s Border Trilogy. It tells the story of John Grady Cole, a young cowboy who embarks on a journey to Mexico with his friend Lacey Rawlins.
While the novel is not based on real events, it is deeply rooted in the historical and cultural context of the American Southwest and Mexico. McCarthy’s vivid descriptions and realistic portrayal of cowboy life make the story feel authentic, but the characters and events are entirely fictional.
McCarthy’s writing often blurs the line between reality and fiction, which can sometimes lead readers to wonder if his stories are based on true events. However, All the Pretty Horses is a product of McCarthy’s imagination, inspired by his extensive research and understanding of the region’s history and culture.