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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
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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.
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