I gave my copy of Blood Meridian to my father

[Orrex]

He's an avid reader, but after a few chapters he declared the book to be unlike anything he'd ever read.

Turns out that he loves it, as I rather suspected he would. I'd have to list it in my top five titles, and I've read it cover to cover more than any other novel. My father particularly likes the unvarnished and wholly non-glamorized portrayal of violence, which he finds lacking in other works.


My wife gave me the book as a birthday gift about 12 years ago--shortly after we'd started dating--because she admired the writing.

Have you read Blood Meridian? Have you given it to anyone to learn their opinion of it?

[pnorman]

1. I have "The Road" by the same author, in Audible.com format

Here it is at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Meridian-Evening-Redness-Library/dp/0679641041/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251178199&sr=1-1

The reviews look very good, and I see that it's also available as am Audible.com download. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

pnorman

[Richardo]

2. The only Cormack McCarthy I've read is 'No Country for Old Men' and I loved it

I've resolved to read the rest of his work, probably in chronological order, as is my wont. :thumbsup:

[MilesColtrane]

3. A drummer friend of mine turned me on to it 15 years ago.

I think he did his doctoral dissertation on it. (He teaches writing at UC Boulder now.)

I've given it to my brother and another friend of mine over the years. One liked it, the other didn't.

I was delighted to learn the other day that a book I've been wanting to get for a long time is back in print.
It's called "Notes on Blood Meridian" by John Sepich.

It is a comprehensive look at McCarthy's book. The real histories of many of McCarthy's characters are examined. There's a map of the locations named in the novel.
In addition, the literary, mythic, and cosmological allusions are itemized, discussed, explained, and indexed. And, all of the non-English dialogue is translated.

I can't wait to get into it.

http://www.amazon.com/Notes-Meridian-Southwestern-Writers-Collection/dp/0292718217/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251273921&sr=1-1

Preface

INTRODUCTION

The Problem of Information--1; Three Sections--4; Scalp Hunting and The Glanton Gang--5; Indian Haters--9.

BIOGRAPHIES

Reverend Green--13; Judge Holden--14; Captain White--24; John Joel Glanton--27; Albert Speyer--42; Consul Bennett Riddells--44; Governor Angel Trias--45; Grannyrat--46; Bathcat--47; Mangas Colorado--48; Sarah Borginnis--51; Yuma Chiefs--53; Callaghan--56.

ADDENDA

Leonids--57; Comanche Attack--61; Ciboleros--66; Hueco Tanks--68; Jesus Maria--68; Wild Bull--70; Meteorite--71; Fort Griffin--72; Chamberlain--74; Ruxton--76; Audubon--81; Bartlett--84; Wislizenus--88; Hughes--94; Reid--96; Dobie--97; Ober--98; Bourke--99.

ESSAYS

Tarot and Divination--105; Judge Holden's Gunpowder.

APPENDICES

A: Massacre Accounts--129
B: Concordances: Narrative Voice--141; Hallunicatory Void--142; Wolves--145; Apes--146; Blindness--146; Celestial--148; Marine--151; Carnival--152; Religious--154; Smiles and Laughter--159; Egg and Dome--161; Ritual, Music and Dance--162; Fools and Crazies--163; Chance, Fortune, and Deception--164.
C: Languages: Spanish--167; French--171; German--171.
D: Map Citations--173.

BIBLIOGRAPHY--175

INDEX--187

[downeyr]

4. I hate Blood Meridian

But I love Cormac McCarthy. I've also read "The Road," "No Country for Old Men," "Suttree," and his Border Trilogy. I just can't handle all that violence that goes into the novel...it makes me sick to my stomach, which may be the point, but I prefer his more philosophically and intellectually driven works, like the Border Trilogy. McCarthy for the Nobel!

[JitterbugPerfume]

5. on the first try I couldn't finish it

but the second time around I could not put it down! I really liked The Road too.


I haven't recommended it though because most of my family and friends think I have weird taste(s)in reading , as well as other things.

[BlueIris]

6. I did that for my dad, too, using "All the Pretty Horses." nt