Customer Reviews
Strangely compulsive - By: R. Lawson, 21 Nov 2008 
This is an odd novel that is challenging to desicribein an understandable way. A father & son pass several daysin fearful existence after some apocolyptic event. We know very little more than that about the background; who are these people? What has happened? How did the main characters survive when it seems others didn't? Building on that background of ignorance the novel describesin fair detail the fear & uncertainty of several day's existence, but without a very clear conlusion. If I read that descriptionin a review then it would hardly inspire me to reach out & take this novel off the shelf & yet it is oddly compulsive & oddly gripping. Despite the descriptive nature of a lot of the narrative that moves on without much sense of plot or story the mood created is spellbinding & the description of bond between father & son is extrmely touching.
Dazzling brilliance... - By: bloodsimple, 20 Nov 2008 
This is a dazzling, bewitching book, which takes the rule book & throws it out of the window, yet manages to transfix, & hammer the heart & the mind. I can't vouch for any other McCarthy books as this is my first, but it is breathtaking.
The list of what McCarthy doesn't do is long - no character names, almost no physical description of anyone, no direct dialogue, no explanations, no back story. But the list of what he does do is stunning - the characters have subtlety & are multi-faceted, the bleak new world is portrayedin vivid & impactive tones, & the whole book leaves the reader both shattered & thoughtful. The relationship between the man & his son is touching, elegantly-crafted, underplayed & genuine.
The simple style & basic plot is deliberate, & demands a high level of skill to make it into a thought-provoking & brilliant journey for the reader. This book is proof that it is the mind of the author that makes the difference; these basic resourcesin most hands would be dull, predictable & immature. McCarthy is able to exploit the gapsin your knowledge, & the absence of detail, as positives; the book treats you as an intelligent adult who wants to form their own opinion, instead of being spoon-fed & signposted.
What a contrast this is to some of the dross out there. How easy it is to recognise a great book when you see it - & how vividly it throws up the contrast between this, & many other lauded authors.
A book that will stay with you.. - By: Michelle Moore, 20 Nov 2008 The Road was originally releasedin 2006, & one year later, it was the winner of The Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. It has received many outstanding reviews, but also some negative. With the release of Harvey Weinstein's filmin 2009, panmacmillan are releasing a film tie-in version.
The Road tells of a journey taken by a man & his son, years following an unnamed catastrophe that has befallen North America, & presumably the rest of the world. There are brief hints as to what has happened, but nothing more. Most of life has gone.. plants are dead, & most species are extinct.
This is not an action tale, which seems to be the main point of the negative reviews. The story does not depend on moments of drama or terror, but rather the day to day struggle to exist,in a bleak world.
The style is basic & minimal, with no chapters, & no speech marks. It takes a while to get used to, but once involvedin the book, the style allows the journey & the story to unfold, without any distraction.
Set against this dark background, is the close relationship between the father & son, as they continuously strive to survive. This closeness is ever apparent, as they rely on each other day to day. Through them you feel fear, love & also hope, as they attempt their continuous journey together.
An action book this may not be, but it's certainly one that will leave a lasting impression on you.
Harrowing. try not to cry at the end like i did. - By: B. J. Crossley, 19 Nov 2008 The Dialouge: spare rhythmical exchange between father & sonin a post apocolyptic hell world. ( I believed every word they said to each other, Realism!!! so amazing)
The Writing: some good similies. the Father's thoughts are beautiful & realistic.
The Story: The Father & son are 100 percent beleivable. it felt real. it all felt real. The story has been done beforein comic books to death--nice to see it donein a realistic manner.
you, your children, your grandparents should read this. - By: Colin D., 17 Nov 2008 This is a chilling look ahead. A brilliant writer. Read this with somebody elsein the house & phone access to a therapist. This man is my favourite modern American author.
