Whatever video exists without my knowledge exists without my consent. But concerning this one, you have my consent.

"Whatever in creation exists without my knowledge exists without my consent" is one of my favorite lines ever

In high school I wanted to do a book report on this because my dad had recently read the road and I thought I’d be smarter than my classmates. I presented my choice to my teacher and she said “ no no no no absolutely no@

Reading Blood Meridian is like staring at some nauseating abyss of hell through a beautiful stained glass window. Great book and nearly impossible to adapt as the language itself is the main character

I had a feeling you will review this next The last 100 pages of Meridian were probably the most captivating piece of literature I've read in the past years

Blood Meridian is the greatest American novel ever written. The novel encompasses everything America is and always has been. "His origins are become remote as is his destiny and not again in all the world's turning will there be terrain so wild and barbarous to try whether the stuff of creation may be shaped to man's will or whether his own heart is not another kind of clay." "Men’s memories are uncertain and the past that was differs little from the past that was not." "He never sleeps, he says. He says he’ll never die."

This review persuaded me toward finally buying and reading Blood Meridian. WOW. It is the best thing I've ever read by far. Judge Holden was pure evil incarnate.

for those who really love this book, it's worth digging up Samuel Chamberlain's book "My Confession" -- he was a member of the Glanton Gang, and it was a major inspiration for McCarthy's novel. in fact, it's worth finding a copy of alone for the few sentences about Judge Holden. yes, McCarthy's novel makes him out to be a Satan/God-like figure, but so does Chamberlain(!) -- and he actually KNEW the guy. he says that he spoke multiple languages, was familiar with far off dialects, was absolutely massive, and endlessly manipulative and violent. for the most part, he was always two steps ahead of _everyone_. it's insane to think these were real people.

Great review, man. Just finished reading this and I absolutely loved it. Now check this crazy shit out. After finding out the book was based on true events I started looking into the stories of the actual Glanton gang. As one of the previous comments mentions, I found that a man named Samuel Chamberlain, who I've read is the person "the kid" is inspired by, wrote his personal account of his experience in the Glanton Gang. Well, Chamberlain is my grandmother's last name, and when I brought it up she confirmed that Samuel Chamberlain is a direct relative of mine. After falling in love with this book, learning that blew my damn mind.

I read Blood Meridian before I joined the Army. Then I was lucky enough to be posted in Fort Bliss El Paso (some might not call that lucky,) a scene in BM takes palce in Hueco Tanks, a rock formation outside of El Paso, a place my friends and I frequent for World Class Rock climbing. Well, as you know in that scene the judge chips and destroys paintings. Well, one of the specific paintings he defaces in BM is actually a painting at Hueco Tanks that is chipped away in a ver specific manner! The Glanton Gang did actually hide in the Tanks for a few days and there is still some graffiti to this day attributed to them! Little factoid for you! Keep reviewing and I'll keep watching.

"Bradley Cooper reviews Blood Meridian."

"When God made man the devil was at his elbow... a creature that can do anything. He can make a machine. A machine to make the machine. An evil that can run itself a thousand years, no need attended."

While I didn't enjoy the book as much as others (I still liked it), I must admit that McCarthy's ability to depict the chaos and pure unadulterated nature of combat is unmatched. The passage early on involving the Comanche attack has to be my favorite part of the book and nigh geniusly written.

The Judge has no hair, he cannot be scalped.

Blood Meridian? I'd say one man's nihilism is another man's gnosticism.

I’ve revisited this several times over the years. You’ve done a timeless service to readers throughout time Clifford.

The glanton gang urinating in a cave to make gunpowder as homage to paradise lost is what settled it for me. Favorite book of all time. Wouldn’t mind a part two to this one. Another great video, thanks Cliff

I've just finished the book. I'm not a big reader and struggled reading it for months (English isn't my first language and the wording in Blood Meridian isn't the easiest) but somehow, I couldn't let this book go, I had to continue, and even though I didn't understand every word nor could feel deeply attached to any character (since they're depicted so coldly), I know it will haunt me forever.

One of my all time favorite books. Hard book to get through, it beats, but you keep coming back asking for more.

"Glanton himself even makes an appearance." I mean, he's like one of the main characters lol

Blood Meridian is an absolute masterpiece and this review was great! Loved your choice of quote from The Judge.

Excellent review. Just finished this book about 5 hours ago. All aspects of mortality, and the life therein, are presented in a beautiful, unforgettable poetic vision.

Just finished the novel. One of the most powerful reads I've had. Thank you very much for the recommendation.

This is a good, clear and unpretentious review of one hell of a book.

Thanks Cliff, just finished Blood Meridian today (after 3 long months) and until something better comes along it is my new favorite novel, cheers.

You make such a quality video, sir. Thanks for taking the time to introduce me to great literature. I really enjoy hearing your opinions on a work, as they don't spoil the experience of reading, but add to it. Keep up the good work!

The Judge is arguably the scariest character ever committed to paper.

Thank you! This was on my TBR for a while until I stumbled upon your review. I watched a few minutes of it and stopped. I didn't want to finish your review until I finished the book. I immediately pulled it off my shelf and devoured it. It was so so good. And your review certainly does it justice! Thank you.

Listen to Jonny Greenwood's There Will be Blood soundtrack while you read this book, you will not regret it.

Thank you for taking my request sir! I was really curious in your opinion on McCarthy´s work. Ive read All the Pretty Horses & The Road, both of are breathtaking & currently am halfway through this one & your review is so spot on! Shit I gotta try rolling with tequila in the desert & take a lovely nap after reading this book!

Two books by Robert Stone: "A Hall of Mirrors" and "Dog Soldiers." Since you dig Cormac you should find a lot of merit to these works.

I grew up with the rise of television and movies and you see the industry raising action and violence to new heights and I became so overly immersed that even the most violent shit never phased me and sure that many of you know this feeling. After reading 'Blood Meridian', I was taught two things: the new definition of violence and short, declarative sentences are more visual than the visual.

Excellent review. You are informed and entertaining, your love of good writing is exciting. Thank you, McCarthy and Faulkner my favorites.

This review is amazing! I’m gonna download this book now thanks to you!

I looked for literary analysis on this book, and found this review. You did a fantastic job!

Thank you for another great review ! Evidence that cannot be gainsaid that books are way better than food is that no piece of food will ever hit us like a crowbar to the spine (loved the image) and leave us with the scoliosis we all need to get through our rickety lives. You asked for recommendations. If I may, I just finished "Vilnius Poker" by Ricardas Gavelis, and it was Kafka-meeting-Burroughs-meeting-Bukowski great. (I want to go to Santa Fe very badly)

I read this book quite a few years ago. Then read it again a few times over the years. Have taken it backpacking and read it in my little tent as the black bears prowled outside sniffing my boots. And no doubt I'll read it again soon in the future. You've done it (and Mr. McCarthy) justice with this review.......good job.

A brilliant book. One of the few that left me flat out gobsmacked after finishing it, and over two years later I'm still reeling from the gut punch it strikes into you in its last few pages. It's due a re-read. Great review. On a tangential note, I would recommend The Rings of Saturn by W.G. Sebald, only because I'm currently reading it and I can't think of a sharper antithesis to Blood Meridian in terms of content.

Thanks for this review. It prompted me to buy the book. Glad I did. The prose is mind blowing. And his command of the English language, his vocabulary etc.

A review of _One Hundred Years of Solitude_ would be nice.

"...war is the truest form of divination. It is the testing of one’s will and the will of another within that larger will which because it binds them is therefore forced to select. War is the ultimate game because war is at last a forcing of the unity of existence. War is god." I'm so joyous you reviewed this!! When I was in high school(only three years ago), I was fairly confident in my writing ability, and then I read this book. When I got to the third page, I threw the book against the wall. I have been more infuriated, more envious, and more happy to read a book. I decided then and there I would do my best to become a writer. Thank you sir for reviewing this and adding your trademark wit and humor. In terms of prose and making a sentence really spark the Irish writer Paul Lynch is very McCarthyian(with a hints of Vladimir Nabokov, and Saul Bellow) , he only has two books under his belt Red Morning in Sky, and The Black Snow but after a few books I feel he will really come into his own. Give either one of them a shot. Good day sir and I can't thank you enough.

Thanks to this review I can’t wait to read this book when the libraries reopen

Great review, Mr. Sgt. This is definitely my favorite McCarthy novel, and I'm glad that you shared your thoughts on it. I was wondering, what is your reading process like? e.g., do you jot notes in a seperate notebook while you read?

This is the most captivating book REVIEW that I've ever watched...almost as captivating as the book itself.

Blood Meridian is possibly the best book I've ever read. McCarthy in my opinion is the best American author of all time. He has a way of simplifying his writing without losing any of its poetic power and beauty.

Could someone please clarify how the gang urinating to create gunpowder is a link to Paradise Lost? I've never committed hard enough to read PL and I struggled to find anything online regarding this reference. Thanks!

Accidentally clicked on this somehow-so glad it happened! I was trying to find a The Road review. Will probably read this now, great review. I love that you referenced that great John Waters quote! Truth

This book is absolutely amazing.

It seems to me that the judge is meant to be Mars, the Roman God of War. An "evening redness" could refer to a blood moon or to the red planet instead. The judge's views on war seem to underline the idea that he's the god of it too. Apparently, Mars is cited as being a nimble and light-footed dancer, and the judge makes frequent connections between war and dancing too.

Absolutely my favorite book on Earth. I am an Author myself & had yet to write a novel…until I read this magnum opus. I had to write something of worth & I aspire to one day write something as worthy as this mans books. I’m currently reading The Stonemason.That & The Gardners Son are the only books I have not read by McCarthy. You did an amazing job reviewing this book, so much so that I will be watching all of your reviews. Thanks for doing these. The time you put in was well worth my time & time is not something I like to waste, my new friend. My name is Reuben Joseph Beeman & I can assure you that I look forward to watching your take on one of my books some day.

This was my favorite book for a long time. The Judge has to be one of the greatest literary characters to ever appear on the page. Is he the Devil? Maybe. I love how each of the men in Glanton's gang encountered Judge Holden before they formed their party (with the exception of Tobin). It's almost Lovecraftian, in that no one, not even the reader, is capable of understanding Holden and his ways. EDIT (spoiler): I think it's important to contrast the Judge with the expriest Tobin, who serves as a kind of foil to Holden's philosophies, more so than the kid. The volcano scene is so amazing. I also enjoyed the end, and the kid's final confrontation with Holden. I've read and reread so many passages from this book. McCarthy is a poet. However, it's difficult to recommend--the violence is so stark and uncompromising. There is no explanation for it. No cathartic acts of revenge. Violence begets violence, and so on. Maybe that's the point. Either way, great review. Ever read any Roberto Bolano? If not, try 2666.

Just finished this today. Amazing prose from page one.

My two favorite books of all time are The Crossing and Blood Meridian, for completely different reasons. The Crossing gets me pumped for a good tour through some empty lands sleeping under the stars and campfires, and Blood Meridian is like reading an archetypal Boschian hellscape set in an equally archetypal American Southwest. Only book I've read that touches them is the recent Hurricane Season--which I discovered through this here channel right here ;)

Very much enjoyed your review. keep it up!

Should review Bataille and Henry Miller soon. Great Job friend, as always. Keep it up.

Great review! This is my favorite book of all the time. The writing is at times almost biblical and really beautiful. I found that the book is clearly very influenced by Moby Dick.

I just finished the book and I loved it. To my chagrin without the introduction by Harold Bloom the shooting would have gone over my head. For some reason I imagined the bullet as going over the kid as opposed to through him. Anyways, what you said about beautiful violence is what I felt throughout the narrative. Especially when blood dripping into water is described as blooming flowers. Very good novel. Also, thanks for the Paradise Lost info. I have not read that yet but I will ... eventually. I'm thinking about reading the dual books that Mr. McCarthy just released. I don't think I could go wrong either way.

In a way I wish this wasn't my first book of Cormac McCarthy's. I read it, was blown away and devoured everything else by him. But nothing comes close to how absolutely brilliant this book is. Excellent review, you've earned a new subscriber.

the audiobook, read by richard poe, is my all time favorite audiobook. please do yourselves a favor and listen to some of the clips on youtube and then get the full reading.

Haha!!! This is great! I was researching on what the status is on a Blood Meridian movie and came across the food thing. I know that thought would be looked down upon in this domain of youtube, but I was just curious. Your critiques are great fun! Thanks!

That distant, awe-struck, shell-shocked look that's on your face in this video is the same look that was on my face the whole time I was reading this book. LMAO! :D I'm going to tackle The Road sometime this year. I'm currently reading The Handmaid's Tale. After that, I'm going to have to take it easy and read some Stephen King. Lol!

Hey cliff would you ever do a review on the road?, I'm currently reading it and would love you to share your thoughts on it.

I guess since this was sold as just a review, and not an analysis, I'm satisfied with the surface level critique. But I would love to see you dive deeper into the text and talk about some of your favorite passages in McCarthy's master piece. Also have you read "Outer Dark"? I'm convinced that it can stand side by side with Blood Meridian and easily hold it's own, in beauty of prose, thematic weight, and powerful characterization of fascinating individuals.

Great review, decided to check out this book after hearing James Franco's desire to adapt it to a film. If you happen to read my favorite book- Brave New World-, don't hesitate to make a review! Thanks and have a super swell summer

Good! I can’t wait to read this book.

I read this book 2 times in high school (almost a decade ago.) I had a desensitized morbid curiosity at the time but I don't know if I could stomach this book if I picked it up again. By what I remember wasn't there a part where the gang gets attacked by a big bear and it tears some guy apart?

Well done! A fun review; I second your sentiments.

And, I'm just finishing The Passenger. I'm so jealous of McCarthy's ability to imagine/ intuit my thoughts-imaginings, but to then communicate them, bang, with the power of being suddenly shanked.

I like the possibility that the judge is the narrator

Thanks for the reviews man, keep 'em coming! Really enjoyed Blood Meridian, but could you just explain the Paradise Lost reference more clearly? As in, how is this piece referencing Milton? Loved Paradise Lost too, but it's been a while since I read it!

Just started reading random books after years of not reading and this is best book i've ever read,and i doubt i'll ever read something as gritty or trippy as this.When we first see indians and he describes them on half page or so i thought something like oh my god this is insane and than some guy from crew says the same :D I felt like desert was main character and everything that happened was like fata morgana.Anyone have some recommandations for something like this one?

Nice review of the beautifully savage book. It reads like the best prose from the King James Version of the Old Testament. I think of Marlon Brando, Colonel Kurtz, from Apocalypse Now, when I think about the Judge. Lucifer, from Milton's charming book, isn't as sinister, though. Ales Kot is currently writing a McCarthy inspired book, Zero, for Image comics. It is a mediation on violence, which is influenced by McCarthy, William Burroughs and Andrei Tarkovsky. It is my understanding that McCarthy's next book will have his first female protagonist.

COR-MIC?! Wow! So is butter good for the hair? How did the audition for the Wild One musical go?

Ron Perlman would make a great Judge Holden. All bald and pale with red-rimmed eyes. He immediately sprung to mind when I read it.

Do one's eyebrows retain functionality should he survive a proper scalping?

Agree with "archmage 164." Nice review Bradley! Read this book soon after reading McCarthy's Tennessee novels which of Suttree was my favorite. Loved Blood Meridian what I could digest. The Kid's demise was forewarned and The Clanton gang had better character actors than The Usual Suspects, Casablanca, The Andy Griffith Show, etc....Bradley when you can, please continue to delve into your introspect of Blood M.

I just picked it up in spanish and BOI is it brutal. Instant classic in my mind.

I just finished it and was pretty blown away by it. Not really sure what to say.. like I'm in awe. I think it's probably the best book I ever read.

Great review!

This has to be the best book review ever. Can you review Larry Bond's war novels such as Cauldron, Vortex, and Red Phoenix?

Do Outer Dark next! Also, how cool of you to edit out your breathing, but not your drinking. Nice touch.

What a breathtaking book. The judge does not abide. More Brando than Woody I would say :) Colonel Kurtz on steroids. Any thoughts on the end? and the cipher at the end? Just found your videos, love what you are doing.

Books are piling up too fast, I already started Crying of Lot 49, Demons, The Confessions and Book of the Long Sun, but after those this may be the thing to read. It sounds really interesting.

Nice review. Definitely agree with how you view the writing itself as "violent." I love McCarthy's style. At once obscenely grandiose in terms of imagery and still so controlled and sparse linguistically. I read The Road before Blood Meridian and I initially enjoyed The Road more, but as time has gone on Blood Meridian has really grown on me. Without a doubt one of the best endings to a book ever.

The Mathew Modine vibe : I dig

I loved this book, and especially the villain, Judge Holden, who is not only one of the scariest villains in literature, but is one of the greatest villains in literary history. He's up there with Bill Sykes and Randall Flagg, at least for me.

Just grabbed me a copy last night, very excited to start this piece of art :) Picking it up as soon as im done reading The Troop by Nick Cutter (Craig Davidson)

Why don´t you read John Banville?

great review!

I just finished this one hell of a book. What an experience... I really want to visit the setting

Thank you for this

Great review. Very powerful book. I did find the writing to be very cryptic at times. So much so that I found myself rereading sections just to find out "wait... What the fuck just happened?" I love this book.

I don't know if it's the greatest book ever written, but I do consider it the greatest I've ever read.

ha! great review... holy SHI*.... that's my same experience. Love the book and fear it. It's certainly my favorite.

Rest In Peace.

I would have never thought to picture Woody Harrelson as Judge Holden.

Just a quick question to anyone who loves this book, is blood meridian adaptable?

Probably one of the hardest books I’ve ever read. The way it’s written makes it very difficult to take in conversations and descriptions of what is going on. Could only read one chapter at a time, as it fried my Brain. Saying that though, it’s also a brilliant book and the violence is shocking. Really brings home how violent life was in those times.

The only McCarthy I've read so far is 'The Road', which nearly killed me. I've rarely felt so exhausted and drained after reading a book as I did with that one. I can't say I "enjoyed" it, but it was quite the experience. Maybe I'll try this one as well.

when are you going for some Saramago?