A

Blood Meridian has loada of violence, almost too much, starts to lose meaning after a while. Get what Cormac McCarthy was going for (like violence = human nature) but it kinda numbs you and makes moments blend together. Main character feels distant and hard to care for but not inherently bad, more like he’s just there rather than shaping anything. No real inner voice either which makes it harder to latch onto him as a reader.

Writing is beautiful but devilishly hard to decipher, i loved it but it got to a point where it became confusing for no reason sometimes, like you’re reading something ancient rather than a normal novel. No punctuation at times and while this may be a continuation of the oral tradition of storytelling i think it becomes a little over the top, random spanish and i speak none lmao, descriptions go on forever, but when it hits it actually hits pretty well. Landscapes feel bigger than the people at times and i guess this adds to the notion of mankind being lesser than the universe in size and importance.

Judge Holden carries the whole thing though, genuinely one of the best villains ever. Not even just a villain, more like a being of pure domination and control. Every time he shows up the book actually sharpens and feels focused. Without him it would probably feel way way more empty.

Also feels less like a story and more like a series of events or encounters, not much plot in a traditional sense, which might put people off. but i think that’s kinda the point, it’s not trying to entertain you it’s trying to show something bleak about existence, like life being random, violent, and meaningless, similar to what Thomas Hobbes said about human nature. And so i wouldnt say me bringing this up is critique of his work, id say its me appreciating its style.

So bleak, so brutal, definitely memorable whether that be positively or negatively. I give it an 8.15/10 (couldnt decide between 8.1 and 8.2). While my score seems high, its still a book I would not recommend to casual readers mainly due to the brain power needed to assess it meaningfully.

In all honesty. This is probably my favourite fantasy series of all time. Jorg is such an indepth and well written character. Along with all his crew. Mr. Lawrence has breathed life into them effortlessly. The only reason it isnt 5 stars is the ending of this series was too hard to bare after getting attached to the characters.

What can i say. Mr. Orwell is a wizard of his craft. 1984 is one of those pieces of art that are completely timeless. It will stay relevant for eternity for it not only argues against the authoritarian state but also han nature itself as it critiques our willingness to conform, our fear of pain, our hollowing need for meaning, and our capacity for betrayal and self-destruction. It’s less a warning to humanity and more a confession about humanity. Its very similar to Brave new world and We and is just magnificent.

This was the book that introduced me to this absolute saint of a man that was Mr. Tolkien. A great man and a great writer too. This is a staple of fantasy and any literate being must read it.

Probably the most accurate depicton of machiavellis ideological stance in politics. He wrote like a man possessed by the fiery spirit of Rome.