Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy?...What did you think?

Question

....I wasnt that impressed when I read it, but now (one week later) Im starting to think it just may be one of the most beautiful (maybe the wrong word..) books I've ever read.

Answer 1

When I first started reading Blood Meridian I struggled with the narrative style a bit (jumping from person to person - I got confused at times and found myself rereading sections at the begining), but once I became comfortable with it I was sort of enchanted by just how strong McCarthy's imagery was.

I didn't have any problem with the violence presented like I have heard some express when discussing this novel. I viewed it as McCarthy showing man at its most base value. Man can strive to be better, and do his best from moment to moment, but there will always be situations that drag us down into the Hell of our own mutual making. McCarthy shows us soldiering on through the harsh desert that is life.

Side note: I was recommended this book when dicussing the movie The Proposition (a recently made violent western that also displayed a moral ambiguity), and its similarities to Blood Meridian were made. Neither the book nor the film disappointed.

I read the book about six months ago (and read many other books since then) and I still can't stop thinking about this book more than any other. It definitely lept onto my "top ten" list.

I thought The Road was good too (and a much more straight-forward read than Blood Meridian - though I prefer BM as a work). McCarthy's lyricism just pulls you through this simply awful journey. The Road was also hands down the most depressing book I've ever read, but it was still a great read. McCarthy is just that good at elevating the human condition (with his writing ability) while in his stories he strips them down to the (sometimes awful) elementals.

Answer 2

One of my favorite books of all time... Haunting, violent, beautiful prose that comes across like poetry. Not a single "likeable" character in the book, but you're drawn into the journey anyway. You want to see how far into hell the band of Indian hunters go.

McCarthy pulled off a masterpiece, as far as I'm concerned. I've tried his border trilogy books, but didn't get into them as much "Blood Meridian." His latest, "The Road," is good. Though pretty different in style to "Blood," it's also a dark journey into hell on earth.

Answer 3

I love all of McCarthy's novels. They seem to seep into you and then you recall them later.

If you're feeling emotionally strong read "The Road". I could only read it in short bits because it's very intense and dark.