Is 'Blood Meridian' based on a true story?Yes, it is. The novel 'Blood Meridian' is rooted in the true story of the borderlands in the 19th - century Southwest. The story is set against a backdrop of territorial expansion, and it shows the brutal reality of the time. There were real - life groups involved in violent activities similar to what is depicted in the book. McCarthy has crafted a fictional account that is inspired by the historical facts, making it a vivid portrayal of a dark period in American history.