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By: Cormac McCarthy

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94KcI0gLq1A

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WARNING -- Some spoilers....

The Road by Cormac McCarthy is a 2007 Pulitzer winning novel. I finished this book a couple of days ago (ironically in one sitting on a long road trip), and I've had a chance to let it digest. I don't know if I enjoyed it - this is not a story designed to entertain - but I was certainly fascinated and moved to thought by it.

So first of all, this is not a fun book. It is a tragic exploration of a dystopian / post-apocalyptic world, documenting the struggle to move forward in the face of overwhelming hopelessness. It's not a cautionary tale, it's not really an allegory for anything, it is a straight up survival story centred around father and son, with the importance of life being the central theme.

For me, the important question The Road asks is why does the father choose to go on? Despite the fact that he is dying, that there is barely anyone left, that he and his son are always starving, he cannot bring himself to consider suicide. He cannot bring himself to consider cannibalism. Right up until the very end, when his body gives out and he cannot go any further, he is moving forward in the hope that there is something better out there, and he only ever encourages his son to do the same. How much strength did that take? How much did he value his life and the life of his son? Would you have the strength to do the same?

A lot of people comment about the writing style, and it took a few pages for me to adjust. The prose is not something I can measure against what is "traditional" - for me the prose is part of the story rather than just telling the story. There is an economy of words, even an economy of thought, which parallels the survival elements of The Road.

What really worked for me was the dialogue, and I think it represented exactly what the road was about. No unnecessary speech, no dialogue tags, not even any quotation marks to indicate that dialogue is taking place. You don't need any tags to tell who is saying what, you don't need any tags to help describe how they are saying it. The few sharp words between father and son say much more than the dialogue tags could.

The man was trying to kill us. Wasn't he.
Yes. He was.
Did you kill him?
No.
Is that the truth?
Yes.
Okay.
Is that all right?
Yes.
I thought you didn't want to talk?
I don't.

The Road is not a book designed for entertainment, and if that is what you are looking for from a book, it is definitely not for you. Even if you aren't looking for entertainment, it is still easy to see why people have a hard time reading this. The Road challenges traditional conventions on what a story can be, and for me, it is important that authors (or any artists) are still willing to do this.
http://www.fantasybookreview.co.uk/Cormac-McCarthy/The-Road.html

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WARNING -- Some spoilers....

This is a very accurate review of The Road. I agree that it is not a book to entertain. In fact, it is the complete opposite.  There are no moments of real happiness throughout the book. The father and the boy always have some type of problem to deal with. Most of the time it was them being starving, having almost no food to eat, as well as all of the violence. When the “bad guys” in the beginning of the book tried to kill the father and son, and the father was in pain for days. Also towards the end of the book, when the father was hit in the leg with the arrow. It is very important to note that there were instances of relief, but no real happiness. As an example, when they would find occasional food, the apple tree or the basement, they would eventually run out of the food. Any happiness was short-lived. The best part of this review is when the writer questions how the father was able to keep moving on. I had the same exact question. It was repeated failure and constant suffering. It is absolutely amazing that he did this, and served as a good role model for the son by encouraging him. Finally, the dialogue was very powerful. I enjoyed how simple it was and right to the point. As an example, Did you kill him? There was an immediate yes. McCarthy’s writing style was quite incredible. Again, this is a very accurate review of The Road. In fact, I was quite surprised when I found this review! Since it was such a complex book, I thought no one would agree with my perspective.

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Pages 128-129.

[Father] - What is it?
[Boy] - Nothing.
[Father] We'll find something to eat, we always do.

The boy didn't answer. The man watched him.

[Father] That's not it, is it?
[Boy] It's okay.
[Father] Tell me.

The boy looked away down the road.

[Father] I want you to tell me,  it's okay.

The boy shook his head.

[Father] Look at me.

The boy turned and looked. He looked like he'd be crying.

[Father] Just tell me.
[Boy] We wouldn't ever eat anybody, would we.
[Father] No, of course not.
[Boy] Even if we were starving?
[Father] We're starving now.
[Boy] You said we weren't.
[Father] I said we weren't dying. I didn't say we weren't; starving.
[Boy] But we wouldn't.?
[Father] No. We wouldn't.
[Boy] No matter what?
[Father] No. No. matter what.
[Boy] Because we're the good guys?
[Father] Yes.
[Boy] And we're carrying the fire?
[Father] Yes.
[Boy] Okay.

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This quote was certainly the most powerful quote in the book for me. This is where it all hit me. It really hit me hard. I was almost in tears. It was this point where I understand how significant their situation was. The violence and the starvation were adding up and it was the quote that made me reach my breaking point. I had to stop reading for the night. I needed a break to reflect. In my reflection, I realized a few things. The first important note is the special bond these two share. It was incredible to see the father support the son. This was one of the few parts that put a smile on my face. I also realized how innocent the young boy was. By calling themselves the good guys and seeking reassurance about eating other people, he realized that he was too young to be out their in the wilderness. Finally, the dad is one good of a guy. As aforementioned, the support he showed his son when his own stress was off the walls made me understand this. This is why I chose this quote. It proved a lot of things for me.

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This is the trickiest part of the assignment for me. I do not know how people would react to this book. I personally loved it, but again it was very, very hard to read. If you like happy endings, and a book for you to be entertained, this by all means is not the book for you. Stay far from it! On the other hand, if your a person like me, who can handle reading such mature content, this is the book for you! I learned so many concepts from this book. For me this book is 5 stars, but I would understand how the upsetting nature of the book would lower other people's rating.

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McCarthy, Cormac. “The Road by Cormac McCarthy book review.” Book review, 31 July 2017, www.fantasybookreview.co.uk/Cormac-McCarthy/The-Road.html.

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I would cast Leonardo DiCaprio to play the role of the father. I would pick Leonardo DiCaprio because he is one of my favorite actors. He has been able to do extremely well in all types of roles. I find him to be a serious guy, and I think the role of the father would suit him well!