Published in 1985, Blod Meridian is considered to be one of the greatest works of American literature. The novel is a dark, haunting, and violent tale set in the American Southwest during the mid-1800s, and follows a teenage runaway known only as “the Kid” as he joins a group of scalp hunters led by the enigmatic and terrifying Judge Holden. The novel is known for its poetic, almost biblical prose and its vividly descriptive depictions of the harsh and brutal landscape of the Southwest. The book is a meditation on the nature of evil and violence, and its effect on the human psyche. The narrative is filled with visceral and disturbing scenes of murder, torture, and brutality, and the characters are all deeply flawed and morally ambiguous. The central character, Judge Holden, is one of the most fascinating and enigmatic figures in American literature. He is a towering figure, both