There's an implausible romanticism that comes standard on most depictions of the untamed American West. Like a Zane Grey novel or a John Wayne western, our collective perception of the Old West is likely to be a kind of moral allegory, reflecting our common values. Independence, industriousness, grit. McCarthy rightly disabuses the reader of the falsehood quickly, plunging us into savage lawlessness from the opening pages. The fundamental question throughout is, which is man's natural state? The atavistic brutality of a world without borders, without personal consequence? Or do ethics precede governance? The Judge, with his primal interpretations of war and men, personifies the former view. Espousing his position so eloquently and believing in it so fully, that the reader is tempted to forget the century that followed. The Kid/Man is a flawed vessel for the latter view. But isn't that how we would want it? Because if morality is innate, then it must be instinctual. And isn't it hard to explain something instinctual? Crimes must be justified. Righteousness speaks for itself.

A master USAmerican novel by a living writer: jaw-dropping in its intensity, lyricism and originality of voice, and, according to the Preface by the eminent Harold Bloom, one for the ages. Mind you, I'm a believer in the notion of an 'Afterword' to some books, especially if they're like Bloom's: clarifying its thrust and meaning for readers. As it is, those who are tempted to read it before the book, as seems logical, are highly likely to be influenced - and to resent the massive spoilers about McCarthy's plot. Mind you, much of his theorizing was opaque and mystifying to me, and it might take a few reads to fathom just what makes Bloom so impressed. In any case, this is a major work but not for the faint of heart nor for anyone without an appetite for violence or a suspicion that civilization is a veneer holding back much that's undesirable in the heart of our darkness. I'm about to turn to his famed trilogy of novels, but have no doubt I'll return to this at some point.

I found this book to be extraordinarily good. It brought me completely into a different time and place and gave me thought for my own existence. Highly recommended.

Amazing and troubling. I didn't like it at first but the farther away from it the more I'm enthralled by this book. Cormac McCarthy is in serious need of a hug though.

An american literary classic. I've read a lot of Cormac McCarthy and in some ways this is his best book but also the hardest to read. The extreme violence didn't bother me so much as it fit the time period and is likely historically accurate anyhow. The language is purposely archaic (sort of like Moby Dick but not olde english obviously). Very gripping (and gritty) story following an outlaw band of indian hunters in the 1800's mexico/texas area. The judge is one of the most interesting characters I've ever seen in a book and I still don't know whether to fear him, loathe him, or in a perverse way, respect him.

This is genius writing even if you don't agree with his inescapable conclusion about the ultimate amorality of the human animal.

Blood Meridian is a shocking historical western novel which describes the systematic destruction of America's native people by the bloodthirsty Glanton Gang. As a background to this horror, McCarthy sublimely describes magnificently beautiful landscapes using nearly perfect language. Judge Holden is the perfectly elegant evil sadist, but McCarthy shows us that all men are villains if the reward is high enough.

A MASTERPIECE. This is on Times 100 best books list, Esquires 75 books every man should read list, along with many other lists. There is a great 2 hour lecture on the book you can find on youtube from a yale professor who discusses the influence of the bible and moby dick on the novel.

I didn't think this book was that great. The introduction goes on and on about how remarkable and extraordinary the book is, but I just didn't see it. After hearing so much about the book, I was pretty disappointed. McCarthy's famous long winded descriptions of landscape are a little over the top this time around. I really enjoyed "The Road", but thought this one relied a little on stock character types to pound out the message. Not very interesting as a whole, although there are sections with entertaining events.

I am not going to lie, I feel like I deserve a medal for finishing this book. It was violent and dark, but the kind of dark that is so beautifully written you can't help but to force yourself to finish it. You don't just see the desert, you feel it on your skin. McCarthy is amazing. Not an easy beach read, you need time and focus.