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A review by thecatladybooknook_penny
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Outstanding! WHAT a powerful story!!
So first off, I now know why this book can be divisive. If you're not willing to just relax your brain and go with the flow of the writing style of no quotation marks, no chapter breaks, no action, then this isn't a book for you. If you can't accept that McCarthy just writes differently and read this as a bit of "stream of consciousness" or how someone would talk, especially in conversation, then don't pick up this book. There are "section breaks" though which I used as my stopping points when I needed to put the book down.
The story follows a father and son as they try to survive in the most harsh conditions EVER....of a world burned to a crisp with the air just constantly full of ashes. We do get a little bit of flashback to see when the son is born and find out what happens to the mother, but most of the story is focused on survival and the relationship of the father/son.
This story ripped my heart out and stomped on it a few times. I didn't know I could get as attached to these two as quickly as I did. I think that speaks highly of McCarthy's writing in that you FEEL what they feel; you are anxious when they are and I stayed that way through most of the book. Anxiety and sadness were the feelings I felt most of the time while reading this. You never know what will be happening to them from page to page in such a bleak world.
I loved their conversations as they are walking and walking....such a sweet relationship. It also makes you think about how far you would go and what you would do for your child or someone you love so deeply. The boy had such deep feelings for the things he had to witness at such a young age.
So first off, I now know why this book can be divisive. If you're not willing to just relax your brain and go with the flow of the writing style of no quotation marks, no chapter breaks, no action, then this isn't a book for you. If you can't accept that McCarthy just writes differently and read this as a bit of "stream of consciousness" or how someone would talk, especially in conversation, then don't pick up this book. There are "section breaks" though which I used as my stopping points when I needed to put the book down.
The story follows a father and son as they try to survive in the most harsh conditions EVER....of a world burned to a crisp with the air just constantly full of ashes. We do get a little bit of flashback to see when the son is born and find out what happens to the mother, but most of the story is focused on survival and the relationship of the father/son.
This story ripped my heart out and stomped on it a few times. I didn't know I could get as attached to these two as quickly as I did. I think that speaks highly of McCarthy's writing in that you FEEL what they feel; you are anxious when they are and I stayed that way through most of the book. Anxiety and sadness were the feelings I felt most of the time while reading this. You never know what will be happening to them from page to page in such a bleak world.
I loved their conversations as they are walking and walking....such a sweet relationship. It also makes you think about how far you would go and what you would do for your child or someone you love so deeply. The boy had such deep feelings for the things he had to witness at such a young age.
What would you do if I died?
If you died I would want to die too.
So you could be with me?
Yes. So I could be with you.
Okay.
Tear my heart out, would you??? So many other great quotes. I will definitely be rereading this book!!