A searing, postapocalyptic novel destined to become Cormac McCarthy’s masterpiece.
A father and his son walk alone through burned America. Nothing moves in the ravaged landscape save the ash on the wind. It is cold enough to crack stones, and when the snow falls it is gray. The sky is dark. Their destination is the coast, although they don’t know what, if anything, awaits them there. They have nothing; just a pistol to defend themselves against the lawless bands that stalk the road, the clothes they are wearing, a cart of scavenged food—and each other.
The Road is the profoundly moving story of a journey. It boldly imagines a future in which no hope remains, but in which the father and his son, “each the other’s world entire,” are sustained by love. Awesome in the totality of its vision, it is an unflinching meditation on the worst and …
A searing, postapocalyptic novel destined to become Cormac McCarthy’s masterpiece.
A father and his son walk alone through burned America. Nothing moves in the ravaged landscape save the ash on the wind. It is cold enough to crack stones, and when the snow falls it is gray. The sky is dark. Their destination is the coast, although they don’t know what, if anything, awaits them there. They have nothing; just a pistol to defend themselves against the lawless bands that stalk the road, the clothes they are wearing, a cart of scavenged food—and each other.
The Road is the profoundly moving story of a journey. It boldly imagines a future in which no hope remains, but in which the father and his son, “each the other’s world entire,” are sustained by love. Awesome in the totality of its vision, it is an unflinching meditation on the worst and the best that we are capable of: ultimate destructiveness, desperate tenacity, and the tenderness that keeps two people alive in the face of total devastation.
(front flap)
Well written and propulsive, but grim as, without much payoff? Who were the “good guys” and how were they able to survive, and why were they good?- it cannot just be a matter of not eating other humans. One review on the back of the book stated that it “serves as a warning”, but for what? Climate change? How, when everything was burned, were there still houses standing? I dunno, maybe post apocalyptic literature is just not my jam.
I started reading because I was drawn to a story that seemed somewhat similar to The Last of Us. However, I found that The Road is even deeper and more complete, particularly due to the dynamic between the father and son. Perhaps it resonated with me so much because my youngest son is only four years old.
This book is powerful. Not a lot happens but I couldn't set it down.I don't understand the man's intentions on the surface. But, on some level I want to understand their actions. I was drawn to the characters and their relationship to each other. The love the man has is healthy in a dying world. The two face the world in stoic resistance. I will need to unpack this book over the next few days. This is a love story on a human level. I recommend reading it.
This book is powerful. Not a lot happens but I couldn't set it down.I don't understand the man's intentions on the surface. But, on some level I want to understand their actions. I was drawn to the characters and their relationship to each other. The love the man has is healthy in a dying world. The two face the world in stoic resistance. I will need to unpack this book over the next few days. This is a love story on a human level. I recommend reading it.
