Books

New York: Random House, 1985. First edition of the author's fifth novel and masterpiece. Octavo, original half red cloth. Association copy, warmly inscribed on the front free endpaper, "For John & Lanelle With much love Cormac." The recipients were close friends of McCarthy during his time spent in Knoxsville, Tennessee. Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Richard Adelson. Jacket painting by Salvador Dali. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box made by the Harcourt Bindery. "Blood Meridian seems to me the authentic American apocalyptic novel, more relevant even in 2000 than it was fifteen years ago. The fulfilled renown of Moby-Dick and of As I Lay Dying is augmented by Blood Meridian, since Cormac McCarthy is the worthy disciple both of Melville and of Faulkner. I venture that no other living American novelist, not even Pynchon, has given us a book as strong and memorable as Blood Meridian" (Harold Bloom). McCarthy can only be compared with our greatest…

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.