287 pages
English language
Published Nov. 11, 2008
The searing, postapocalyptic novel destined to become Cormac McCarthy's masterpiece.
The Road is the profoundly moving story of a journey. It boldly imagines a future in which no hope remains, but in which a father and his son, "each the other's world entire," are sustained by love. (back cover)
I can see why for many this is a beloved book for some, but it didn't capture me.
The writing often felt plodding and overwrought, instead of evocative and touching. And this novel is all scene and style and very little story, so there was not much else to go on.
I found myself wishing this had been a short story instead of a novel.
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.
