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Lyn's Reviews > The Road
The Road
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A good friend gave this to me to read. I told him I already had an audiobook working and he said, "you'll want to read this one".
I could barely put it down.
Mesmerizing.
McCarthy's prose is simple, fable like, yet also lyrical, like a minamalistic poet. The portrait he has painted is dark and foreboding, difficult and painful, yet he carries "the fire" throughout, a spark of hope and love that must be his central message to the reader.
Having read the book, not sure if I want to see the film, it may spoil my vision of McCarthy's art. **March 2017 and I still have not seen the film and still don't think I will.
I could barely put it down.
Mesmerizing.
McCarthy's prose is simple, fable like, yet also lyrical, like a minamalistic poet. The portrait he has painted is dark and foreboding, difficult and painful, yet he carries "the fire" throughout, a spark of hope and love that must be his central message to the reader.
Having read the book, not sure if I want to see the film, it may spoil my vision of McCarthy's art. **March 2017 and I still have not seen the film and still don't think I will.
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The Road.
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Reading Progress
Finished Reading
July 18, 2011
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Comments Showing 1-50 of 55 (55 new)
I have not seen the film and may not, I am funny like that, I will frequently avoid a film if I have read the book. Although I have heard this was an excellent film, as was No Country for Old Men, but that one is likely too violent
I know what you mean. I'm always wary of seeing an adaptation of a book I've enjoyed, and even more so, of a book I have not yet read, but might one day want to.
This was my first Cormack book and has turned him into one of my favorite authors. No Country for old Men was great and Blood Meridian receives a lot of attention but I recently read one of his more obscure books; 'Outer Dark' that remined me of that lyrical style from 'The Road, and I thought it was a great book. My opinion anyway.
Thanks, Wayne, I liked it a lot too
I've heard different things about the movie. For my part I have to say... why make it at all? The book gives every visual(in words) you need to picture it yourself. I may see the film some time but I won't go out of my way. On the other hand, I though the film version of "No Country for Old Men" was at least as good if not better than the book.
I am a very visual person and a visual learner, so I truly love seeing the movies of the books I've read - good or bad. This movie really does the book justice.....
Hey Tony, glad to see you haven't quit G'reads. Coming back to the quiz?
Chris, Just one book at a time, as I read them.....
The movie was soooo depressing. Not sure I want to read the book.
It's pretty depressing all right! A bit of uplift at the end, though.
Thanks for the comments guys, I am the opposite of Tony, once I have read the book I rarely see the film. I do like the Coen brothers work though
The film's usually a let-down anyway. Not always, but typically.
Nice review. Having read the book and watched the film, I would say you've already experienced the best of The Road :) Thanks for the add, Lyn!
Thanks, I rarely see the film
A perfect review, Lyn. I agree with everything you say about this book. And it just doesn't seem possible that a movie could really convey the power of the The Road. I felt like I was being eaten alive with darkness and despair, and yet as you have said, it's impossible to set this novel aside. Have you read any of McCarthy's other works? Are any of them less depressing?
Thanks Marcia, I think darkness and despair is the paint with which he covers his canvas. I've also read No Country For Old Men and Blood Meridian, or the Evening Redness in the West both grim and difficult. He is an excellent writer, but he creates settings and characters who are dark and foreboding.
I thought the film adaptation was very good in this case; McCarthy was involved in it, and the casting was spot on (in my opinion).
maybe I'll watch it, thanks for the recommendation
There's a scene in there where Robert Duvall just made it up on the spot and they decided to keep it because it was so brilliant (the campfire scene if you end up watching it).
I tend to agree more with Spider Robinson on this one. He reviewed it on his, currently inactive blog, "Spider on the Web": Really cool music and stories plus so much more all downloadable mp3, I listened for years, highly recommended, he critiques it quite thouroughly.Just look up, "Spider on the Web"
1/11/08 - Book Reviews
© 2008 Spider Robinson
Welcome to SOTW #25 and the book reviews I promised of two SF novels by non-SF writers: Rafi Zabor's THE BEAR COMES HOME and Cormac McCarthy's THE ROAD. Musical selections will be performed by the Charlie Haden Quartet, John Coltrane, Todd Butler, and Dory Previn. Download MP3.
Thanks Denis, I need to listen to that
Great review, Lyn. The film was always going to be disappointing, as every film adaptation of a McCarthy novel will be, with the exception of 'No Country for Old Men'. His prose can't be replicated on-screen, and without McCarthy's language, it's a lesser thing.That said, I enjoyed it. Parts of it were identical to the way it played out in my head. The one thing that made the film worth watching -- for me -- was the ending.
(view spoiler)
Thanks Eisnein, I may watch it, have heard good things, and your recommendation is persuasive
In my humble opinion CM has never written an even vaguely mediocre book. They're all either good, very good, really, really good or most excellent.
I should read more Cormac. I assume, after The Road, either Blood Meridian or No Country For Old Men? (Those seem to be the other most popular.)
Try "All the Pretty Horses" ...
I loved the book it is in my top ten. You really should see the movie it is pretty true to the book.
Meh. The film adaptation of The Road is highly forgettable. Especially compared to the book. (Just to confuse you some more, Lyn.)
Jason wrote: "I should read more Cormac. I assume, after The Road, either Blood Meridian or No Country For Old Men? (Those seem to be the other most popular.)"Blood Meridian is still his greatest work, though The Road is close enough that I wouldn't bother arguing the point. Outer Dark is a personal favorite, a Greek tragedy set in rural America, loaded with mythological parallels. The Border Trilogy is brilliant, particularly 'The Crossing'. Yeah, all his novels are potent, mind-altering things. If you're into that. :-)
I need to read more from him
He's not exactly prolific, with 10 or 11 novels in the last six decades, and most of them quite slim... so it doesn't hurt to space them out a bit. :-) It's fair to say he's a firm believer in quality over quantity. And that prose feels like he's sculpting it from marble. Every word is weighed and judged, every sentence has survived terrible battles to make it onto the printed page.
Great observation, he's a unique writer
Lynn, thank you for the validation! I was the only one in our club who loved this book--just ask them! After you wait a long while, you may find the movie satisfying, but you're right. Nothing can adequately match McCarthy's grim lyricism.
Grim lyricism, succinctly stated, thanks Susan
Thanks for the comments Horace and Iliyan
Good review, same thoughts. You might want to try out the guy they are calling "African Cormac McCarthy" by reading The Fishermen by Chigozie Obioma. Moving and powerful and great prose.
Great review Lyn, I agree that its the kind of book one just has to read to feel.
My all time favorite. still
Don't watch the movie. The book is perfect as it is. Simplistic and raw.
Film isn't bad by any means, but you should be glad you read the book before seeing the movie. I couldn't stop picturing Lord Aragorn whenever the man was mentioned.
I agree with all of this. My only son was five when I found this book. The story broke me to pieces, built me back, broke me again, and made be whole. It is plain and simply a love story between father and son, and nothing else--including the nature of the apocalypse or even the main characters' names--is relevant. As a story that draws me in spontaneously after having read it years ago, this book is art.
Many people told me the story is depressing and things like "what a horrible book." Couldn't disagree more.
Great comments and observations Jeff
Ugh! what a horrible thought, hope we never see anything like that
I liked this one as well Lyn. Great review by the way. It was one of those that I was glad/not glad when I was done. Probably because it's not what you want to envision for the future
Great review Lyn. My favourite book!
I loved this book. It was so dark and yet so full of love. You captured it well in your review.
As for the film, I was pleasantly (if that's the appropriate word) surprised by how true it was to the feel of the book.