Pretty much the title. Looking for a gruseome, violent, story set in Cowboys and Indians America. Red Dead Redemption time period. That stuff.
In terms of content, nothing is off the table and I want it as nasty is it comes. Racism, scalping, sexual crimes, arson, theft, murder, etc.
I was told "Blood Meridian" was this book, but I got about 90 pages in before I had to give up. The writing style is just … odd to me. It's so hard to follow what is happening to the point where I'm not enjoying the story but moreso just forcing myself to read a boring book.
This is not meant to be an insult to McCarthy or the people that enjoy the book, it's just not for me. I read for fun so I like books I don't have to analyze with an English professor in order to understand it.
by hotguy_chef
5 Comments
Those aren’t supposed to be fun topics, so Blood Meridian is fittingly bleak.
I’m not sure why you would want to read a tone deaf Blood Meridian, but I wouldn’t know how to point you in the right direction. We read for very different reasons. Challenging yourself is part of growth.
You are worthy of reading Blood Meridian, don’t sell yourself short.
consider trying a different McCarthy book first: No Country for Old Men is easier to read but has similar themes. I have to keep a dictionary by me when I read Blood Meridian-it is a masterpiece but you have to work and invest.
I totally get it. It was a slog for me from the beginning, I got to the end and regretted my time spent. Not every book is for everyone.
Other westerns I enjoyed a lot more are Lonesome Dove, The Shootist and The Brothers Sisters. All a bit bleak but great westerns.
Maybe try The Son by Philip Meyer. There’s plenty of violence and racism. Set on the western frontier. More accessible language than McCarthy.