Well, I finally finished
Blood Meridian.
Spoiler:
It is impressive how in a work so filled with brutal depictions of violence the most disturbing scene in the book is precisely the one in which almost nothing is shown. When I was getting close to finishing the novel, I thought I didn’t care about the fate of any of the characters. They all had become repulsive to me. But when I reached the ending I felt sick and shaken, almost like in those moments when, after waking up from a nightmare, you still don’t know you are in the real world. I couldn’t help thinking about that ending for hours.
And then there is that enigmatic epilogue. I didn’t understand a single word from it.
Anybody care to discuss it?
I think I understand what beppe is saying.
The Road also recreates a very harsh world, but then there is that tender relationship from the father and his son. They are fighting to have a better life. There are brief reasons for hope. In
Blood Meridian the characters themselves are the main reason the world is so brutal. They don't fight against their circumstances; they make everything worse. Even the kid doesn't seem to be different.
I have no doubt this guy is a great novelist, but I won’t be in any hurry to read any other of his books.
