Reading Groups

Considering Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian with Elizabeth Howard

Four Sessions Tuesdays, 6:30 pm EDT - 8:00 pm EDT April 30 to May 21, 2024

The Center for Fiction

The ‘With Book’ option includes a copy of Blood Meridian at an additional 10% discount from our Bookstore.

Meeting Dates:
4/30, 5/7, 5/14, 5/21
In Person at The Center

Cormac McCarthy died in 2023. While he is best known for The Road, All the Pretty Horses, and No Country for Old Men, both of the latter two made into motion pictures, most consider Blood Meridian his magnum opus. The novel, based on historical events, is violent and difficult. And yet, this is a work that lends itself to a myriad of observations and conversation. “Words are things. The words he is in possession of he cannot be deprived of. Their authority transcends this ignorance of their meaning.”

This group is designed for readers who want to explore and engage in the work and think about the influences of Faulkner and Melville via historical references and Biblical passages.

The book will be divided into four sections, assigned before the first class.

Session I-IV: Blood Meridian: Or the Evening Redness in the West

What to expect from this reading group: It would be helpful to be familiar with McCarthy’s work – but not essential. Participation will be encouraged, as this is a book that encourages thought.

Led by

Elizabeth Howard

Elizabeth Howard

Elizabeth Howard grew up with a passion for books and reading. She received the Tilton Essay Award for outstanding expression in her writing when she was sixteen. Her articles related to communication and marketing have appeared in European Communications, Investor Relations, Law Firm Marketing & Profit Report, Communication World, The Strategist and the New York Law Journal, among others. Her books include Queen Anne’s Lace and Wild Blackberry Pie (Thornwillow Press, 2011), A Day with Bonefish Joe (David Godine, 2015) and Ned O’Gorman: A Glance Back (Easton Studio Press, 2016). She is the producer and host of the Short Fuse podcast, conversations with artists, writers, musicians and others whose art reveals our communities through their lens and stirs us to seek change.

About this series

Reading Groups

Whether you’re looking to catch up on great novels or you’re interested in exploring a new writer or literary period, our reading groups offer high-level literary discussion led by experts in the field.

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