Why Blood Meridian Is a Work of Art That Demands to Be Read

This was my second time reading Blood Meridian, and I can say with certainty that it won’t be my last. The book is a masterpiece. I don’t know that it is my personal favourite of Cormac McCarthy’s novels, at this point, I can’t choose, but it is undoubtedly his magnum opus.

There’s a lot to unpack in McCarthy’s works, and Blood Meridian is no exception. I’d argue it’s his densest novel. To fully grasp everything it has to offer, I feel like I’d need to read it many more times. It’s brimming with meaning—food for thought at every turn of the page. Even after multiple reads, the ending remains ambiguous. I don’t think anyone truly knows what happens in the final moments, nor do I believe McCarthy intended for it to be fully understood. Anyone who claims to know definitively is, in my opinion, missing the point. The ending is meant to be interpreted, not explicitly understood. Theories are fun to explore, and my interpretation shifted during this reread. I’ll discuss that later—with spoiler warnings.

Blood Meridian is a work of art in the truest sense. To me, it is the greatest and definitely the most impressive novel I have ever read. It’s layered and relentless, packed with ideas about human nature, perpetual violence, and war. These are heavy themes, and McCarthy does not shy away from them. His portrayal of violence is unflinching, with some scenes described in excruciating detail. This novel is not for the faint of heart.

I consider Blood Meridian an epic, belonging to the same literary pantheon as The Iliad and Moby-Dick. Like those works, it’s not just about the destination, but the journey and the depth of its themes and ideas. It’s no surprise that it’s frequently cited as one of the greatest novels ever written. That said, I completely understand why some people struggle with it. It’s not a book that will appeal to everyone.

McCarthy’s prose alone is enough to divide readers. Some find his writing style frustrating, but for me—and many others—it’s what makes Blood Meridian so effective. His prose creates a timeless quality, something less poetic writing wouldn’t achieve. Like the judge himself, Blood Meridian feels immortal, like it will never die.

On this reread, already knowing the broad strokes of the story allowed me to focus on McCarthy’s foreshadowing, which was fascinating to pick apart. It also deepened my appreciation for the novel’s core themes. One of the most gripping moments comes when Judge Holden speaks about war:

“It makes no difference what men think of war, said the judge. War endures. As well ask men what they think of stone. War was always here. Before man was, war waited for him. The ultimate trade awaiting its ultimate practitioner. That is the way it was and will be. That way and not some other way.”

This to me is what literature is all about! It’s masterfully written—haunting, yet captivating, especially given what we know about the judge and the trajectory of the story.

As the novel nears its conclusion, a sense of melancholy seeps into the pages. It’s remarkable, considering that none of the characters are particularly sympathetic. And yet, McCarthy’s writing evokes an unmistakable feeling of dread. It’s amazing—there’s no other word for it.

Major Spoilers Ahead

Now, onto my interpretation of the ending. Maybe people will think I’m completely off the mark, but in a novel like this, I don’t think any single interpretation can be definitive. Everything is open to possibility.

This time around, when the kid—now grown—entered the barroom, I felt like he was already dead. He didn’t encounter the judge as a living man but met him in the afterlife—or whatever you want to call it. The bar itself felt like a liminal space, filled with people who were either already dead or on their way out. This, to me, was the “transition,” the dance. I don’t think the kid fully realized it, but the judge was trying to tell him.

McCarthy never explicitly states that the kid dies, which makes the scene even more unsettling. I believe the judge isn’t just speaking to the kid—he’s speaking to us, the readers, offering a cryptic revelation. I think the kid was dead before stepping into the outhouse with the judge, where many of the theories of his death are spawned.

I’m sure people will disagree with me, and I’d love to hear other interpretations. But ultimately, I don’t think it matters what happens at the end. What matters is what McCarthy is saying about fate, violence, and the nature of existence.

Spoilers End Here

If you haven’t read Blood Meridian, I urge you to do so. Even if the story doesn’t resonate with you, I guarantee you’ll be impressed by the writing. This is what literature is meant to be—dense with ideas, forcing you to think beyond the page.

Simply put, Blood Meridian is a must-read. As I’ve said in past reviews, I believe Cormac McCarthy is the greatest author of all time (at least among those I’ve read), and his work demands to be experienced. This novel is his magnum opus.