Books

Random House, 1985. First Edition. Hardcover with Dust Jacket. NEAR FINE/NEAR FINE. SIGNED and inscribed by Cormac McCarthy on the title page to Gyula Visnyei, aka Juli Veee, the Hungarian-American soccer player. Cormac faltered in the spelling of 'Gyula', one of the main reasons Juli tended to ask authors to stick with 'Juli V' in inscriptions. 337pp. Red paper over boards backed in red cloth, red and gilt stamped spine lettering. One miniscule spot to top edge, else FINE; very small nick to tail of DJ spine, exceedingly crisp and bright otherwise. McCarthy's fifth novel, first western, and first and only written in the full freedom of his mature style. Upon publication a few critics saluted its genius but 1985 America didn't have much appetite for such a blatantly grotesque apocalypse of the American drive West; Ahearn states only 1,500 copies sold (others have claimed 1,883) of 5,000 printed in the first edition, the rest marred with the dread felt remainder pen. Its commercial…

Cormac McCarthy's "Blood Meridian" is a visceral and harrowing novel set against the backdrop of the American Southwest in the mid-19th century. The story follows an unnamed teenage protagonist known as "the Kid" who, after leaving home, journeys through the desolate landscapes of the borderlands between Texas and Mexico. He becomes entangled with a band of scalp hunters led by the enigmatic and malevolent Judge Holden, a towering and erudite figure. The group's activities primarily involve hunting Native Americans for their scalps, as well as engaging in other acts of violence and savagery. The Kid's experiences with this group expose him to the ruthless and brutal nature of the American frontier. Throughout the novel, McCarthy presents stark and vivid descriptions of violence, depicting brutal massacres, conflicts, and atrocities committed by the scalp hunters and other groups in the lawless region. The narrative explores the darker aspects of human nature, revealing the relentless and unyielding violence that seems inherent in mankind. At the heart of the story is the enigmatic and inscrutable Judge Holden, a highly intelligent and sinister figure whose motives and true nature remain ambiguous. The Judge embodies a sense of malevolence and omniscience, serving as a symbol of the inherent evil and the relentless pursuit of power. "Blood Meridian" delves deep into themes of moral ambiguity, the consequences of unchecked violence, the corrupting nature of power, and the inherent darkness within humanity. McCarthy's prose, characterized by its poetic yet brutal language, vividly captures the harsh and unforgiving landscape of the American West while plumbing the depths of the human psyche. The novel is notable for its stark and unflinching portrayal of violence, its philosophical underpinnings, and its exploration of the futility of human existence in a brutal and unforgiving world. McCarthy's masterful storytelling, evocative prose, and haunting themes have cemented "Blood Meridian" as a challenging yet profound work in American literature.

The first edition can be identified by its distinctive dust jacket featuring a watercolor illustration, the publisher's full cloth binding, presence of a stated first edition or numbers line indicating a first printing, and ISBN '0394544821' on the publication information page.