Difficult reading. I've made half a dozen attempts at this book. The only writer that can get me to do this. For me it's either I get it or I don't. Cormac is the man. Child is father of the son... Once I get into that reading zone again, where focus is held like slow fire in my lungs. One reviewer called his language archaic, I have to go with arcane. Archaic as well, but in the way of king james bible, shakespeare...
McCarthy is brilliant and it shows. This novel is vivid and brutal.I would also venture to say this book is not for everyone. McCarthy's style is a bit difficult; he often omits commas, uses long (long) sentences and fragments, does not always capitalize proper nouns, which can cause confusion on a sentence-by-sentence basis (this does not affect my understanding of the events taking place in the chapter/novel). Some sections, usually descriptions of gore or scenery, just read easily and beautifully, but then you are hit with an outlandish word that you'll later find is old cowboy jargon, the scientific name of that plant, animal or geography, or a Spanish word (none of the Spanish is translated). All this aside, it is still completely comprehensible and can be deeply philosophical, if you are looking for a good book to study and explicate. Read full review
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The story revolves loosely around a runaway kid who falls in with a low-life militia bent on killing. The story highlights some of the worst and most graphic incidents in the decimation of Apache and plains Indians. It is violent and bloody; it tells the story of a depraved gang of bounty hunters who murder and scalp their way from Mexico to California. If you don't want to be disgusted, don't read this book. On the other hand, the writing is at once erudite and arcane and has a certain appeal to English language dilettantes who favor an esoteric form of vocabulary and expression. You will meet a couple of well developed and extremely diabolical characters, "Glanton" and "Judge Holden." The judge is a complex man of parts and one of the few surviving gang members.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I bought this book to read something else by Cormac McCarthy. I had read "The Road".....I always try to read the Pulitizer winner every year just out of curiosity. When I picked up "The Road"....I could not put it down.....McCarthy's writing was like a great symphony placed so tactfully on the written page....a beautiful book. I was curious about McCarthy's other works and ordered Blood Meridian....I was not disappointed. McCarthy's dark subject matter combined with his unbelievable ability to command the English language...the reader cannot help but "live" the book. Would definitely recommend. I am going on to read McCarthy's other works.
Cormac McCarthy is an incredible author. His command of the English language is awsome. I am not a particular fan of novels of the Old West, but McCarthy could make his grocery list entertaining. He is discriptive in the extreme and his vocaublary is enormous. His tales are most often tragic and they just seem to stop rather than end. If you want a story with a happy ending, skip his books. If you like a book where the author is able give your a vivid mental image of the setting and deep insight into the characters, you will not find a better writter. I have now read everthing he has published and place him among my favorite authors.
So disappointed as this is touted as Cormac McCarthy's best book. I've read and viewed "The Road" - Liked; viewed "No Country..." and had looked forward to reading the book. I enjoy Elmore Leonard's Westerns, but "Blood Meridian" is too rough for me. I'm half-way through and still can't get into it. Not enjoyable, and the outright cruelty depicted is truly appalling.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Straight up masterpiece from a great author in his prime. This particular print, the 92 Vintage, is also beyond stellar. Dark blocky text that fits perfectly for Blood Meridian’s almost biblical vibe
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Reading this book is like slowing down to stare at a terrible auto accident. It's one inhuman, frightening, bloody event after another, featuring monstrous, despicable characters, and all described with mesmerizing and flowing prose. Does Cormac McCarthy really view life and people like this? And why can't I stop reading through one shock after another? Spoiler alert: your opinion of the human race will not be improved by reading this book.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
As a fan of hardcore horror fiction, I heard how bloody & graphic this book was, so I picked up a copy and quickly began reading it. Talk about a slow-moving, snail-paced novel; despite being a relatively short book, it felt like a millennium would pass before each chapter would end. McCarthy may have a master's grasp of the English language--credit where credi it due, after all--but his style is annoying archaic. His refusal to use normal writing rules such as quotation marks around dialogue is about as irritating as wearing sandpaper chaps. Yes, if all you're a gore-hound only looking for some graphic scenes of carnage, then you may find this to be tolerable, but if you want an interesting plot to go along with your plasma, look elsewhere. I'm sure there are worse westerns out there...I've just never read one.Read full review
I couldn’t put it down. Some scholars have placed this along side of Faulkner’s, As I Lay Dying. Not sure I’d go there, however, this is a brilliant written style that seriously reflects McCarthy's genius. It should be in an American list of best works. This novel is violent. The country depicted was violent. An important work. My 3rd McCarthy reading in as many weeks.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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