by Lisa M.
Member since:
July 26, 2006

Dark and Cold.... always

November 21, 2007 07:07 PM EST (Updated: December 28, 2007 07:35 PM EST)
views: 92 | comments: 32

"The Road" by Cormac McCarthy is a very strange, post-apocalyptic novel with unconventional dialogue, gruesome details and nearly stagnant plot line.  Although I read this novel very quickly, I found this both easy and difficult to read.  Easy in the sense of following a very minimal story line, but difficult due to the negative feeling it left within me as I read. 

One very strong theme presented in this novel was love.  The characters in this story were nameless.  However, I felt a deep and strong connection to the father and son as they traveled to find the good people and a better place.  I was disappointed in the end as there was no clear resolution of finding a warmer, safer environment. 

In reflection, I guess all books and stories do not have resolutions or happy endings. However, being human, we yearn for stories that give us hope and make us feel good.  This book did not do that, it left me depressed and prayerful that this will never be a world in which myself or my children will have to live or try to survive.

 

"The Road" by Cormac McCarthy
Publisher: Vintage International
ISBN: 978-0-307-38789-9
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Comments: 32

Mary M. Nov 21, 2007, 7:18pm EST
Thanks for sharing. A book group I read with did this book a couple months ago and it didn't seem like something I'd get into. After you're review, that feeling is confirmed.
Raymond Mardo Nov 21, 2007, 7:34pm EST
I'm not sure if it's worth reading or not after your review. don't always need a happy ending.

Hmmm...
Ann B. Nov 21, 2007, 7:35pm EST
Thanks for the review. It actually makes me want to read it. I sense that the same aspect that has stayed with you will prove thought provoking to me as well. Your final sentiment is no doubt one I'll share. Thanks, Lisa.
Linda G. Nov 21, 2007, 7:43pm EST
Thanks for the review. I did not know this author before.
Scott Wittenburg Nov 21, 2007, 7:59pm EST
This book sounds very interesting and depressing at the same time. I am also one who likes a happy ending and feel that there's enough in the real world to get depressed about. But stories with negative vibes can also be uplifting because you can say to yourself, "At least this didn't happen to me." Don't know if that's the case here but I think you know what I mean. There can be hope in despair - but that's just my optimistic view on things.

Another interesting story you may want to check out is my entry in the Next Great Crime Writer Contest and I would really appreciate your vote if you think it's a 10! Thanks!

The May Day Murders - Chapter One
Thanks for the review...I like for there to be some sort of resolution at the end.
CyberGwen ! Nov 21, 2007, 8:22pm EST
Good review!

I, like you, would probably be a little bummed by it. You are right we do tend to want stories to end up with some kind of good or hopeful ending.
Melinda ~choosing happiness~ S. Nov 21, 2007, 8:57pm EST
Thanks for the review- this one has been on my wish list since I first heard about it!
Shaunee C. Nov 21, 2007, 9:31pm EST
Sounds very intersting good review
Kimberly Ripley Nov 22, 2007, 12:03am EST
He's definitely a master at his style, but it's not my favorite!
lynn a. Nov 22, 2007, 4:01am EST
I'm glad I read this. There is no reason for me to read a book that depresses me.

Happy Thanksgiving.
David Rozansky Nov 22, 2007, 5:05am EST
The Road, an Oprah Book Club pick adn a Pulitzer Prize Winner, has had a lot of mixed reviews. Apparently, it is great literature, but not much as a novel.

We hear a lot about The Road. Flying Pen Press has published Migration of the Kamishi (ISBN 978-0-9795889-1-2) by Gaddy Bergmann, also a post-apocalyptic novel, but one that has a positive focus and certainly has a resolution at the end, while exploring many of the same issues as The Road.

(By the way, the author has a Gather account: gaddy.gather.com. His articles are pretty thought provoking, and he likes to hear from readers of this genre.)
Bonnie S. Nov 22, 2007, 12:09pm EST
That's a great review, it sounds like a good read. I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Arlene H. Nov 22, 2007, 1:02pm EST
Thanks, Lisa, I wasn't sure about this book. I've read great reviews about his books & Oprah picked this one for her club, but if the plot's 'stagnant' & leaves you with 'a negative feeling' -- I probably won't bother reading it.
Denise B. Nov 22, 2007, 6:43pm EST
good review, as I like Happy endings I will not be reading this THANKS!!
Robert H. Nov 23, 2007, 9:39am EST
Thanks for the review.
Thanks for the review.
Raymond Mardo Nov 25, 2007, 11:08am EST
Difficult and easy to read.
Now there's a conflict of interests.
LOL
Help me get a publishing deal with a 10 rating and a comment. I comment back.
Jennifer- Very lucky mommy S. Nov 26, 2007, 1:14pm EST
great article
Lisa Gensheimer Nov 27, 2007, 8:14pm EST
I had the same feeling after seeing "No Country for Old Men," based on Cormac McCarthy's book by the same name. But boy, does it make you think ...
Amy B. Dec 5, 2007, 4:06pm EST
Our church book club read this two months ago. I felt compelled to keep reading it, as if I was going down the road with them. It was difficult subject matter, but we all agreed that there was some hope in knowing that love still prevailed (at least between this father and son) despite the horrible circumstances. And even though there wasn't a happy resolution, we were happy that the boy did have a family and children to play with at the end, with was a positive turn of events. Not sure I'd want to read any of his other works though if this was an example of his style or subject matter.
Douglas Quinn Dec 11, 2007, 11:30am EST
In my own work, I like to have some resolution, even if it's one that is not what the reader, maybe even the characters themselves, had in mind. Endings sometimes can be like real life, unresolved, as long as the readers and characters learn something about themselves. Sometimes, that's really all we have.

Smiles,
Douglas Quinn
www.douglasquinn.com
Nancy O. Dec 11, 2007, 9:40pm EST
I had heard about this one awhile ago but thanks for refreshing my memory !!!!!
Nancy O. Dec 11, 2007, 9:48pm EST
by the way..... great review !!!!
Ruth MacGill Dec 11, 2007, 11:29pm EST
Good review. Cormac Mcarthy is an excellent mechanic of putting words together, but he disturbs me. I hate his charqacters and his storyline. I read for enjoyment and I do not enjoy what he writes.
Leslie T. Dec 12, 2007, 2:45am EST
Thanks for the review!
I haven't read this one either. My list is growing. Thanks.
Sophiya S. Dec 27, 2007, 8:27pm EST
i love your review
Austin Cushing Dec 29, 2007, 11:07pm EST
This comment is to let you know that this content has reached ten comments, and as such has been removed from Comment Speedway! Congratulations!
Kimber L. Jan 1, 2008, 3:20pm EST
sounds interesting but may be a bit more depressing then the type of book i normally read!

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