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Title: The Road (Oprah's Book Club)
ISBN: 0307387895
Author:
Cormac McCarthy
Publicate Date: 2007-03-28
Publish: 2007-03-28
List Price: $14.95
Average Customer Rating: 4.0
Format: Paperback
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $6.50
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $4.29
Amazon Merchant Price: $8.97
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| Customer Review: |
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1: Over my head
I read it. But being a post-apocalyptic fan, this story felt short. The relationship between the father and the son was endearing, but the simplicity of the story which most people seemed to enjoy was actually what I enjoyed the least. It felt like I was watching an incredibly slow movie that would end up getting an Oscar.
Everyone is entitled to they're own opinion, but for post-apoc fans, I don't think you'll dig this one too much. But hey I might be wrong. I def was annoyed by the language throughout the whole book. But then again I didn't see what the big deal was abt. No Country for Old men either, so gauge this review on that.
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2: In the midst of desolation and despair can good survive?
THE ROAD is a brutal examination of what awaits mankind when the ultimate disaster strikes. A man and his son try to survive in the desolate wasteland the Earth has become; no explanation is given for this apocalypse, but the only survivors of it appear to be human. As the unnamed pair head south in the hopes of finding something other than the impending death winter will bring in the North, they confront what humanity has devolved into, wild packs that prey upon others for their own survival. Armed with a gun that has few bullets, the man uses his wits and a feral sense of survival to keep his son from falling prey to the elements and others. He finds himself hampered by his son's will to believe that he and his father are "good guys" searching for others like themselves, and when the situation class for drastic action, the boy is, in a way, humanity's last hope; the one thing keeping his father from descending to the level of the others they have encountered. McCarthy has succeeded in creating a realistic endpoint, the why and how are not important, it just is. The barren landscapes and the occasional breaks from danger that take place only continue to build the feelings of tension until the conclusion is reached, leaving this reader breathless. McCarthy's work is one of genius, an examination of how fragile our society is and it is filled with a sense of despair and wonder that few novels can hope to create.
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3: Vivid, engaging and subliminal
Did you know McCarthy wrote 'No Country For Old Men'?
I was really surprised at the depth of the movie, but didn't know it was based on McCarthy's book until I started reading 'The Road'. Well, this changed the way I approached his book.
'The Road' is a very vivid, very engaging and at the same time very subliminal read.
It's a story of two survivors (of a mere handful) from a nuclear obliteration. They, a man and a child (McCarthy never names them in the book, or their ages) make their way to the Gulf Coast while at the same time battling their fears, the utter desolation, the human savagery (apparently all others have turned to cannibalism with no other food in sight) and the unknown that lays ahead.
In the midst of painting this environment, McCarthy explores the inner struggles of each of the two characters and make for a good case of what makes a man human and what makes him a savage. The book is written with exceptional clarity, the dialog is kept simple yet very meaningful.
I recommend it and if you haven't seen 'No Country For Old Men', put it on your to-view list.
by Simon Cleveland
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4: Gray and heartbreaking
The novel is about the despair and hope againgst knowing better of a father that wants to save his child in a world that has lost life and above all, it's civilization. There's hardly any indication of what caused this situation (probably a nuclear war) but that's not important. The description of the scenery is breathtaking. The world is all gray and covered in mist, with ashes being swept around by a cold wind. What remains of life are the stubs of burnt trees; what is left of civilization are the houses that they have to plunder in order to find food. Of course other survivers have plundered the same houses before them. The agony and despair of the father as their physical condition wears down are heartbreaking.
In its grayness, a great book.
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5: Depressing and sad, but engaging
A very entertaining and interesting book, I honestly felt like I needed to keep reading to find out what happened to the father and son. But wow, it was depressing and dark, even to the point that at times I did not want to continue reading. It has a draw to it that makes you want to, it makes you care about the man and child, which is especially amazing due to the fact they are never named and you never know their full backstory.
Definitely worth the money and time I spent reading this, certainly an engaging read.
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