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A review by fleeceknots
Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A challenging read both content wise and structurally.The writing style has an almost arhythmic at times. The book lacks a plot in the conventional sense. Much of the plot is centered around unspeakable violence. A lot of times I wasn’t sure if I was even really enjoying the experience of reading this book.
And yet as soon as I put it down I couldn’t stop thinking about it. In a literal sense the story is very focused on the truly despicable violence that follow the U.S.-Mexico war, but in most other senses it’s about the unrelenting creep of evil.
I’m not usually one for something so blatantly nihilistic, but McCarthy’s writing style matches with the book’s meandering plot to envelop you. In the final stretch of the book I could feel its grim outlook really wrap around me even as the plot only ever strolls to its climax.
I think that’s why I was most engaged with the book after I’d finished it. The crust had finished forming around me and the dark, blunt truths McCarthy wanted to impart were as clear as they’d ever been.
Definitely not for everyone, but if something like this interests you I’d highly recommend it.
And yet as soon as I put it down I couldn’t stop thinking about it. In a literal sense the story is very focused on the truly despicable violence that follow the U.S.-Mexico war, but in most other senses it’s about the unrelenting creep of evil.
I’m not usually one for something so blatantly nihilistic, but McCarthy’s writing style matches with the book’s meandering plot to envelop you. In the final stretch of the book I could feel its grim outlook really wrap around me even as the plot only ever strolls to its climax.
I think that’s why I was most engaged with the book after I’d finished it. The crust had finished forming around me and the dark, blunt truths McCarthy wanted to impart were as clear as they’d ever been.
Definitely not for everyone, but if something like this interests you I’d highly recommend it.