I have the first page of blood meridian framed on the wall in my studio. The density of imagery in the first chapter alone, and all of the brutal backstory it describes is unparalleled. I’m a voracious reader, but it took me 3 attempts to finish this one as the hellish scenes dragged up some PTSD in me on my first two attempts. Cool video :)
I got strong Hannibal Lecter vibes from Judge Holden when I read the book. He's brilliant and well versed in seemingly everything, yet he is also a complete psychopath. As with Lecter, you are fascinated and drawn in by his brilliance and knowledge, yet you also know he would destroy you without hesitation or warning if it suited him.
Ben Nichols, of Lucero, made it into a great album: "The Last Pale Light in the West." Most people who have heard the title track think that it's about "The Walking Dead," but it's actually about Blood Meridian.
Absolutely brilliant video! I appreciate the effort and thought you put into this, I have been making my way through McCarthy's work for a couple years now and i notice some common themes throughout his work which you've touched on here. Lastly, I do appreciate that your analysis Didn't become bogged down into some kind of overly-simplistic political interpretation like most reviews that I have seen on the book tend to become.
You’ve illuminated very interesting themes in this novel for me to explore, I was ready for a second read of it but now I feel primed to really take away something new. Thank you!
The "bled it of its strangeness" section is what sorta gave me a mini existential awakening and ignited my curiosity about the world. I think it's a much more exciting quote than scary.
As you describe The Judge, another literary character came to mind: Col. Kurtz from Apocalypse Now. Despite that they both look similar, both men have similar viewpoints on man and violence.
Nice video. To me each of the major characters represent an aspect of our psyche, and the events portray the pain and tragedy of existence. The kid represents the internal self. Tobin is the conscience. Toadvine is cowardice. Glanton is petty greed. The Judge/Father represents the dark aspects of human behavior, who ultimately ( in this case least wise) overtake the self ( the kid) after chasing him for years
I really want to see this book adapted for film and seeing Judge Holden casted. A Denis Villeneuve production can do the Judge justice but one can only dream in the meantime.
I loved this analysis! Thank you my man I would love for you to even tell more about this book. This book is EXTREMELY interesting. One of the greatest literary creations I believe, now obviously there are a lot, but this is something very unique and special... Haunting. Could you make analysis on The Judge? Who is he? What is happening? etc etc...
While radically different, the context of violence, war, and conflict, another favorite author of mine, ironically also a Texan (Like Mccarthy), since passed on unfortunately, leaving only two books as his memory, is John Steakley, his novel Vampire$, which was half adapted by film maker John Carpenter was certainly a good book, but his meditative masterpiece on war is Armor. Mccarthy's style of writing, especially in Blood Meridian, is visceral and yet creepily detached, I recommend it to anyone I can, but I find that even if they haven't read it, they've at least heard of it, Steakley's Armor does not have such a privilege, and so I recommend it to you. It is certainly not written like Mccarthy, rather Steakley's style, especially in portraying war, makes use of the intimate and uses run-on sentences as a style of writing and conveyance. I find this book to be a great companion piece to the themes of Blood Meridian, and the character of Felix in Armor to be the complete antithesis to The Judge; Felix actually being the ultimate practitioner of war and yet nothing like The Judge.
Heraclitus, Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, Spengler. "War is the father and king of all. Some he has made gods, and some men; some slaves and some free." -Heraclitus- The human condition and all it's frailty and deception. I believe even the lack of punctuation -and in another vein harshness towards children- is meant to convey the brittleness of manmade rules, laws and forms. "Every society is only three meals away from chaos." -Lenin-
Would the tragedy have occurred had we not turned the page and read the words? By reading what was already written, we have made the event part of the story.
Blood Meridian is my favourite book and whenever I'm reading it I find myself scouring RUclips looking for additional insight. Thoroughly enjoyed this video! Especially the stuff on the act of witnessing bringing things into existence. Are you considering doing anything else on Blood Meridian?
Thanks for the feedback! In the near-term I don't have any plans, but I do hope to make more videos about some other Cormac McCarthy novels at some point. Another video you might enjoy - there's a video on my channel called "Booktube Backstage Tag" and at the end of that video I read off every one of McCarthy's similes in Blood Meridian.
Surprised I haven't seen anybody comparing the Judge Holden to the Walkin Dude from the Stand. Not comparing the men as writers but the idea of the two characters are quite alike.
I've been going back and forth on the question of whether to try Blood Meridian or not. On the one hand I've always found the whole western/cowboy aesthetic in American media to be really boring and off-putting. On the other, Harold Bloom has it as one of his top three American novels, and I've heard good things about it here and on other RUclips channels. Going to give it a go in tandem with Paradise Lost, as the gnostic/theodicy framework seems more interesting than just reading it as an 'anti-western' genre critique.
@@ami1649 Something of an update: still only about 1/6 of my way into Blood Meridian, but yesterday I listened to a podcast on the novel I thought offered a very interesting commentary: E. S. Dallaire's 'Metaphor & Reality', EP.9 - Novelist As Visionary: On Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian. Really excited to continue reading 👍
@@benjaminb6678 OK, Kubrick probably would have been the best man for the job if it were possible. His ability to show terror without too much gore is apparent in "The Shining," and Blood Meridian is a mind f@ck, as are "Dr. Strangelove," and "Full Metal Jacket."
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I have the first page of blood meridian framed on the wall in my studio. The density of imagery in the first chapter alone, and all of the brutal backstory it describes is unparalleled.
I’m a voracious reader, but it took me 3 attempts to finish this one as the hellish scenes dragged up some PTSD in me on my first two attempts.
Cool video :)
Thank you!
I got strong Hannibal Lecter vibes from Judge Holden when I read the book. He's brilliant and well versed in seemingly everything, yet he is also a complete psychopath. As with Lecter, you are fascinated and drawn in by his brilliance and knowledge, yet you also know he would destroy you without hesitation or warning if it suited him.
He‘s a great favorite, the judge!
Ben Nichols, of Lucero, made it into a great album: "The Last Pale Light in the West."
Most people who have heard the title track think that it's about "The Walking Dead," but it's actually about Blood Meridian.
Absolutely brilliant video! I appreciate the effort and thought you put into this, I have been making my way through McCarthy's work for a couple years now and i notice some common themes throughout his work which you've touched on here. Lastly, I do appreciate that your analysis Didn't become bogged down into some kind of overly-simplistic political interpretation like most reviews that I have seen on the book tend to become.
The Evening Redness in the West...
Among my top 5 favorite books.
You’ve illuminated very interesting themes in this novel for me to explore, I was ready for a second read of it but now I feel primed to really take away something new. Thank you!
giving this a short view and a comment because I plan on reading this book soon and I really liked your karamazov analyses
The "bled it of its strangeness" section is what sorta gave me a mini existential awakening and ignited my curiosity about the world. I think it's a much more exciting quote than scary.
Brilliant novel. The fact it was based on real people is more fascinating.
As you describe The Judge, another literary character came to mind: Col. Kurtz from Apocalypse Now. Despite that they both look similar, both men have similar viewpoints on man and violence.
For sure!
It's the kid and then the man. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Nice video.
To me each of the major characters represent an aspect of our psyche, and the events portray the pain and tragedy of existence.
The kid represents the internal self.
Tobin is the conscience.
Toadvine is cowardice.
Glanton is petty greed.
The Judge/Father represents the dark aspects of human behavior, who ultimately ( in this case least wise) overtake the self ( the kid) after chasing him for years
Nice analysis, thanks for the comment!
Interesting takes my dude. You've earned a sub.
I really want to see this book adapted for film and seeing Judge Holden casted. A Denis Villeneuve production can do the Judge justice but one can only dream in the meantime.
Who could play The Judge?
I don't know good question!
@@veganpuncher5221 Philip Seymour Hoffman or maybe Daniel Day Lewis
I never want to see it adapted to the screen because no film will do it justice.
@@pumitriii6160
Well, if they wanna use Daniel Day-Lewis, they better hurry.
They're too late for Philip Seymour Hoffman...
Excellent analysis I really appreciate your insight
Thanks!
The judge may be the most interesting character I've encountered. You should do a video on Stephen Crane's "Black Riders".
I'll check it out, thanks for the comment!
I loved this analysis! Thank you my man I would love for you to even tell more about this book. This book is EXTREMELY interesting. One of the greatest literary creations I believe, now obviously there are a lot, but this is something very unique and special... Haunting. Could you make analysis on The Judge? Who is he? What is happening? etc etc...
The only literary creation more powerful and more haunting than Blood Meridian: Boswell's Life of Johnson.
While radically different, the context of violence, war, and conflict, another favorite author of mine, ironically also a Texan (Like Mccarthy), since passed on unfortunately, leaving only two books as his memory, is John Steakley, his novel Vampire$, which was half adapted by film maker John Carpenter was certainly a good book, but his meditative masterpiece on war is Armor. Mccarthy's style of writing, especially in Blood Meridian, is visceral and yet creepily detached, I recommend it to anyone I can, but I find that even if they haven't read it, they've at least heard of it, Steakley's Armor does not have such a privilege, and so I recommend it to you. It is certainly not written like Mccarthy, rather Steakley's style, especially in portraying war, makes use of the intimate and uses run-on sentences as a style of writing and conveyance. I find this book to be a great companion piece to the themes of Blood Meridian, and the character of Felix in Armor to be the complete antithesis to The Judge; Felix actually being the ultimate practitioner of war and yet nothing like The Judge.
Heraclitus, Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, Spengler.
"War is the father and king of all. Some he has made gods, and some men; some slaves and some free." -Heraclitus-
The human condition and all it's frailty and deception. I believe even the lack of punctuation -and in another vein harshness towards children- is meant to convey the brittleness of manmade rules, laws and forms.
"Every society is only three meals away from chaos." -Lenin-
Would the tragedy have occurred had we not turned the page and read the words? By reading what was already written, we have made the event part of the story.
Blood Meridian is my favourite book and whenever I'm reading it I find myself scouring RUclips looking for additional insight. Thoroughly enjoyed this video! Especially the stuff on the act of witnessing bringing things into existence. Are you considering doing anything else on Blood Meridian?
Thanks for the feedback! In the near-term I don't have any plans, but I do hope to make more videos about some other Cormac McCarthy novels at some point. Another video you might enjoy - there's a video on my channel called "Booktube Backstage Tag" and at the end of that video I read off every one of McCarthy's similes in Blood Meridian.
Doing that now. Third read of Meridian. Cormac’s so fckn good, and this book, this book…
Surprised I haven't seen anybody comparing the Judge Holden to the Walkin Dude from the Stand. Not comparing the men as writers but the idea of the two characters are quite alike.
I've been going back and forth on the question of whether to try Blood Meridian or not. On the one hand I've always found the whole western/cowboy aesthetic in American media to be really boring and off-putting. On the other, Harold Bloom has it as one of his top three American novels, and I've heard good things about it here and on other RUclips channels.
Going to give it a go in tandem with Paradise Lost, as the gnostic/theodicy framework seems more interesting than just reading it as an 'anti-western' genre critique.
Good luck! Let me know what you think!
@@ami1649 Something of an update: still only about 1/6 of my way into Blood Meridian, but yesterday I listened to a podcast on the novel I thought offered a very interesting commentary: E. S. Dallaire's 'Metaphor & Reality', EP.9 - Novelist As Visionary: On Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian. Really excited to continue reading 👍
Blood Meridian is no hackneyed cowboy novel!
Good video keep it up brother man
Have you read Heidegger? His writings touch on or resonate with a lot of what you brought up here.
I have not read Heidegger but hope to get to him! Thank you for the recommendation!
2:40 😲
David Fincher should DIrect Blood Meridian
G.K. Chesterton was one thicc boi I tell you what
It's the Kid!! The kid!!
The movie Brimstone reminded me of the book BM ...if you liked BM ...should check it out
it cant be easier told then this "War is God". its right there.
wrong
kubrick could've made this a great movie
I disagree. Kubrick was an amazing director, but no one can make Blood Meridian into a movie.
@@Steppenwolf27 Agreed, this book is probably impossible to adapt meaningfully. But if there was a man I’d like to try, it would have to be Kubrick.
@@benjaminb6678 OK, Kubrick probably would have been the best man for the job if it were possible. His ability to show terror without too much gore is apparent in "The Shining," and Blood Meridian is a mind f@ck, as are "Dr. Strangelove," and "Full Metal Jacket."
He would have f*cked it up like he did the shining.
@@anthonygarcia2457 what do you mean? The shining is one of the best if not the best psychological horror film ever made what more do you want?
Was this your first time reading McCarthy?
No man, Cormac McCarthy has been a favorite of mine for a long time. Thanks for the sub!
cosmilogical
I'm sorry brother, but your delivery is so inane and passionless that I can't get into it at all. Just constructive criticism
It's appreciated!
Hard disagree btw.
Sounds like Alex Jones is more your speed