Sam
5/10
The Judge truly dominates Blood Meridian, casting an intimidating shadow that solidifies his standing as one of the most vile and repulsive villains in literature. However, despite his strong presence, the book falls short in delivering a satisfying experience. The relentless and seemingly endless march through the desert, accompanied by RELENTLESS live-leak level gore, really drained me. The constant barrage of never ending nihilism, climaxing in a confusing and unsatisfying conclusion, left a bitter taste in my mouth, leaving many parts of the story feeling disjointed and incomprehensible.
That being said, there were moments of hope amidst the chaos. The Kid's occasional acts of heroism and the relationships he forms along his journey offer glimpses of humanity in an otherwise bleak story. And, of course, the Judge's psychopathic and unhinged behavior provides moments of humor and tension that manage to captivate despite the book's shortcomings. But who knows, I'll probably watch some youtubers video essay and change my mind tomorrow.
I will say this: if nothing else, the ending will stick with me for the rest of my life.
