I’m a new reader and my New Year’s resolution was to read more. My sister got me Blood Meridian for Christmas and I just finished it! The book was so intriguing and fascinating, it convinced me to continue reading full time! I enjoy content that’s on the dark and disturbing side, so naturally I thought I’d have the best chance at sticking to my resolution if I sought out books that were like that. I’m searching for my next read and I’d appreciate any recommendations!!
by IFeelLikeYeezus_
6 Comments
Last Exit to Brooklyn by Hubert Selby Jr.
There are a couple of other McCarthy titles you may enjoy – not as overtly violent and disturbing as Blood Meridian, but not for the faint of heart either:
Outer Dark
The Road
Child of God
And to a much lesser extent, but still brutal in parts, No Country for Old Men.
Empire of the Summer Moon by S. C. Gwynne. Bonus in that it’s non-fiction
Butcher’s Crossing by John Williams
The Cipher by Kathe Koja
If you want to explore some grimdark epic fantasy, I would recommend Canadian author R. Scott Bakker’s series The Prince of Nothing & The Aspect-Emperor (collectively known as The Second Apocalypse). Bakker has mentioned that while writing the series there were two texts he always had on hand for inspiration: the Bible and Blood Meridian.
omg blood meridian was my first mccarthy book too and it messed me up for days! if you liked that vibe you should definitely check out “child of god” – it’s shorter but just as disturbing in its own twisted way.