re: #249 subsailor68

Hi ShanghaiEd!!! Oh, man:

Although, the Judge’s dance at the very end of the book has been on continuous-run loop in the back of my mind ever since I read the book. One of the most complex characters I’ve ever come across, and certainly an actor’s dream. Or nightmare.

You and me both! “Dream. Or Nightmare.” is a perfect take!

I don’t know. Part of me wonders about the ability to capture the violence of the novel. I’m not sure anyone can. But (okay, I’m old), I do remember buying a ticket to a little movie called “Soldier Blue” back in 1970, and walking out of the theater in shock.

As I say, I just don’t know. Soldier Blue was an anti-war film, and probably doesn’t hold up, but the violence isn’t the issue (at least for me) with Blood Meridian - it’s finding someone to communicate the complete and utter evil of Judge Holden.

Y’know, I hadn’t thought of it that way, but I believe you’re right. If Judge Holden could be sufficiently brought to “life,” the violence aspect would take care of itself because he would be its…context? Ringmaster? God?

Jeez, what a book! I’m headed to read that last paragraph, and see if it’s how I remember it.

I was fortunate to become a McCarthy fanatic very early, i.e. with The Orchard Keeper and Outer Dark and Child of God. One of my reading acquaintances was afraid I was having a mental problem: “There’s this beautiful necrophilia scene, see, and then…” :)