McCarthy, Cormac. The Road. In a post apocalyptic world, a father and son struggle for survival. McCarthy provides a frightening look at a world gone grey, sterile, and deadly. Survival becomes the by-word. Throughout the horrors of this new world, the father's gentle care of his son touches the core of existence. It reminds me of the existentialist view in many ways... If man's own existence defines him, then this father, in his love for his son, is creating a positive existence in the midst of circumstances that are echoes of hell. He is "one of the good guys." A moving book. Do read it; it doesn't take long.
Fiction. Futuristic. 2006. 241 pages.
Wasn't this book recently awarded some big prize, Jenclair? I've forgotten which though...my memory is not the best. Only 241 pages? I like what you had to say about it, I am tempted to get it!
ReplyDeleteJenclair, although I found parts of "The Road" to be difficult to take, it is one of those novels that will stick in my mind for a long time.
ReplyDeleteWithout giving away the ending...I have to say that I was disappointed by it and didn't find it to fit well with the rest of the book. What did you think about the way the story ended?
I'm definitely going to read this one, as soon as I get in the right mood.
ReplyDeleteI respectfully disagree with Mr. Houston. (S-P-O-I-L-E-R and D-I-V-E-R-T E-Y-E-S if not finished R-E-A-D-I-N-G!) I pretty much thought he was going to leave the ending as bleak as the journey; So, I'm glad he gave me a glimmer of hope.
ReplyDeleteDid Mr. Houston think the ending too wrapped up? AND, also I wonder what you think.
Lotus - He won the Pulitzer; they were announced just recently.
ReplyDeleteSam - I'm not sure about realistic, but the end sure eased my cognitive dissonance,and I'll justify it by saying hope was an important ingredient for me.
Dorothy - Very short, very fast reading. Gives you a lot to think about; as Sam mentioned, this one will stick with you for a while.
Maggie - Again, notice of spoiler~ the end IS pretty wrapped up, maybe too much so...for several reasons. But maybe his purpose was less to present reality than to provide a sense that sometimes things work out better than expected. For me, realistic or not, the relief was intense! There were quite a few incidents in the book that were maybe too coincidental, but the book would have been even shorter without them.
With your encouragement, I will give this book a try.
ReplyDeleteYep, this one is also on my TBR list now.
ReplyDeleteCheya - Very short, reads fast...you can't help yourself.
ReplyDeleteiliana - While I do wonder about its winning the Pulitzer, The Road is certainly a novel to make you think about dreadful possibilities.
I agree. It is a very quick and compelling read. I couldn't put it down. Why don't you think it deserved the Pulitzer? Just curious.
ReplyDeleteI need to read this one. The Pulitzer is the one literary prize that has never let me down so far.
ReplyDeleteLes - I couldn't put it down either. As to the Pulitzer, I don't know why it didn't seem to be in that category. I haven't read Alice McDermott's After This or The Echo Maker by Richard Powers, the other finalists, so I can't even compare.
ReplyDeleteNymeth - As Les mentioned, The Road is a compelling read!