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I liked this book a lot. The prose and world building worked for me, as did the character voice. The setting oddly enough reminded me of Samuel Beckett’s “Endgame” (but without any of the absurd humour) in it’s emptiness — the characters in both texts also share a mission towards an ill-defined “end” and are weighted down by questions of meaning and motivation.
This is not a plot-heavy novel — it’s almost more so a series of continuous impressions. A painting of a father and son trying to survive a dying planet. This book will not be for everyone, but I adored it, and can see it being something that will stick with me for a while.
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Violence, Grief, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gun violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Suicide attempt
Minor: Pregnancy, Abandonment
The Road is a heartbreaking yet somehow beautiful story that truly feels dedicated to McCarthy's son, asking what are you're willing to endure for your love. From the first page you're left with the question of who might die first, and the weight that comes with either answer.
But against the dark canvas those moments of light shine so much brighter- displays of humanity, selflessness and love are all the more powerful within such high contrast.
The simplicity of this journey I feel makes it all the more impactful.
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Grief, Cannibalism, Murder, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Medical content
Minor: Rape
Graphic: Child death, Death, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Trafficking, Cannibalism, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment
Graphic: Blood, Cannibalism, Murder, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Rape, Pregnancy
Minor: Vomit
Graphic: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Rape, Self harm, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment, War
Graphic: Death, Death of parent
Minor: Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Violence, Blood, Grief, Cannibalism, Murder, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Cannibalism
Minor: Rape, Pregnancy, Alcohol
Moderate: Suicide, Violence, Cannibalism, Death of parent
Minor: Rape, Pregnancy
Graphic: Child death, Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Rape, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Trafficking, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Pandemic/Epidemic
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Medical content, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Vomit, Medical content, Murder, Pregnancy