A review by jaynainjayna_16
The Road by Cormac McCarthy

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This book DESTROYED ME. Like Viola Davis snot falling down and all. I’m usually not a dystopian fan because the usual dystopian settings (sometimes the setting just doesn’t garner my attention), but this book’s setting was really interesting. Stated in the synopsis, it’s all set on a road and rarely deviates from it. This choice purposefully simplifies the story, creating suspense for the reader. There’s only so much that can happen on one singular road and to see what the man and boy encounter throughout their story is touching and jarring. Another interesting choice on Cormac McCarthy’s part is the lack of names in the story. The only time a name is used, we don’t know if it’s genuine, showing the lack of identity and distorted past the characters have. I’m trying not to spoil anything, but the last like 5-10 pages of the book tore me to pieces and I have to reread it again to get the full effect. Anyways, if you’re not a big fan of dystopian books like me, I suggest you give it a go, and maybe you’ll start liking the genre! 
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