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A review by serendipitysbooks
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The Road is a book that manages to be both brutal and beautiful. It is set in a post-apocalyptic world and features a father and son, constantly travelling, walking and pushing their cart, trying to survive and find somewhere better. I liked the feeling of being dropped immediately into the action. There’s no world building to speak of. As the story progresses we learn more about what the world is like - bleak, desolate, dog-eat-dog- but never why. In many ways it’s not an enjoyable read and in places is truly horrific.
And yet all that is balanced by the beauty of the pure, simple love between a father and his young son . There are so many tender moments between the pair such as when the father tries to give some of his food to his son but the boy recognises what is happening and refuses. Or when the father tries to protect his son from some of the more horrific sights, or tries to calm his very real fears, despite feeling terrified and helpless himself.
McCarthy’s writing is sparse and unadorned which I think suits the setting and tone very well. There is no need to elaborate on either the horrific conditions of the world, the very real immediate threats they sometimes face, or the strength of their love for each other. All were obvious and elaboration would have detracted rather than added to the atmosphere or the reader’s understanding. McCarthy is a master of showing, not telling. We were never told of the man’s visceral fear, anxiety and desperation but we were certainly shown it, in effective yet undramatic ways.
I was struck by the young boy’s kind heart, his desire to share what they had, to try and help others and to assume the best of people. This was in marked contrast to his father, whose focus was solely of keeping his boy safe and felt that they couldn’t risk trusting or helping anyone. In light of the ending of the story I can’t help but see a message in this difference.
For me this was an unforgettable read, one that wasn’t always enjoyable but was superbly written, and where the desolation and brutality was balanced by the lovely and beautiful.
And yet all that is balanced by the beauty of the pure, simple love between a father and his young son . There are so many tender moments between the pair such as when the father tries to give some of his food to his son but the boy recognises what is happening and refuses. Or when the father tries to protect his son from some of the more horrific sights, or tries to calm his very real fears, despite feeling terrified and helpless himself.
McCarthy’s writing is sparse and unadorned which I think suits the setting and tone very well. There is no need to elaborate on either the horrific conditions of the world, the very real immediate threats they sometimes face, or the strength of their love for each other. All were obvious and elaboration would have detracted rather than added to the atmosphere or the reader’s understanding. McCarthy is a master of showing, not telling. We were never told of the man’s visceral fear, anxiety and desperation but we were certainly shown it, in effective yet undramatic ways.
I was struck by the young boy’s kind heart, his desire to share what they had, to try and help others and to assume the best of people. This was in marked contrast to his father, whose focus was solely of keeping his boy safe and felt that they couldn’t risk trusting or helping anyone. In light of the ending of the story I can’t help but see a message in this difference.
For me this was an unforgettable read, one that wasn’t always enjoyable but was superbly written, and where the desolation and brutality was balanced by the lovely and beautiful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, and Cannibalism