Take a photo of a barcode or cover
gabi_starry_paperback 's review for:
The Road
by Cormac McCarthy
The Road by Cormac McCarthy is often considered a bleak and depressing novel—and, in many ways, it certainly is. The post-apocalyptic world depicted is stripped of its beauty and complexity, replaced by a gray, hostile, and barren landscape. The main characters—a father and his son—are on an endless journey through this desolate environment, struggling to survive from one moment to the next. It’s difficult to even call what they are doing a "journey," as a true journey implies an end, and the world they inhabit offers no such hope. There is no destination, no future to look toward—only death.
So, yes, the novel is depressing. Cormac McCarthy’s writing captures this tone perfectly. The lack of chapter breaks mirrors the exhausting, ceaseless nature of the journey, and the repetitive narrative deepens the sense of hopelessness. The characters are always on the brink of fleeing for their lives, constantly hungry, and perpetually cold. They don’t even have names, because, in a world like this, what does a name matter?
The language alternates between simple, detailed descriptions of their daily struggle and almost poetic reflections. This contrast struck me as particularly interesting, as it juxtaposes the bleak, ugly reality of their existence with glimpses of beauty—something that always seems to linger in the human experience, no matter how dire the circumstances. I don’t know if that was McCarthy’s intention, but it’s what I took away from it.
Despite its ruthless and depressing portrayal of reality, at its core, The Road is about love and hope. It’s the love between father and son that drives the narrative forward. Every action the father takes is motivated by his fierce love for the child. In a world where hope seems extinct, the child becomes a symbol of hope itself. He embodies goodness in a world where the very concept of “good” has lost its meaning.
The only thing that bothered me a little was the lack of intrigue. I understand that this was likely intentional, as there’s no real reason for the characters to question why the world is the way it is or what happened. They already know, and we can guess. The answers to those questions don’t impact their lives or the story. Still, I couldn’t help but wish there was a little something more—something to spark the reader’s curiosity and add a layer of mystery to the narrative.
So, yes, the novel is depressing. Cormac McCarthy’s writing captures this tone perfectly. The lack of chapter breaks mirrors the exhausting, ceaseless nature of the journey, and the repetitive narrative deepens the sense of hopelessness. The characters are always on the brink of fleeing for their lives, constantly hungry, and perpetually cold. They don’t even have names, because, in a world like this, what does a name matter?
The language alternates between simple, detailed descriptions of their daily struggle and almost poetic reflections. This contrast struck me as particularly interesting, as it juxtaposes the bleak, ugly reality of their existence with glimpses of beauty—something that always seems to linger in the human experience, no matter how dire the circumstances. I don’t know if that was McCarthy’s intention, but it’s what I took away from it.
Despite its ruthless and depressing portrayal of reality, at its core, The Road is about love and hope. It’s the love between father and son that drives the narrative forward. Every action the father takes is motivated by his fierce love for the child. In a world where hope seems extinct, the child becomes a symbol of hope itself. He embodies goodness in a world where the very concept of “good” has lost its meaning.
The only thing that bothered me a little was the lack of intrigue. I understand that this was likely intentional, as there’s no real reason for the characters to question why the world is the way it is or what happened. They already know, and we can guess. The answers to those questions don’t impact their lives or the story. Still, I couldn’t help but wish there was a little something more—something to spark the reader’s curiosity and add a layer of mystery to the narrative.