I loved this book. Beautiful prose, and I liked the fact that it was set mostly in the south. IÂm thinking it started somewhere north of Tennessee (the "see rock city" reference), passed through the Cumberland gap and then through the Piedmont of the Carolinas and ended somewhere on the South Carolina or Georgia coast. I actually felt like I recognized some of those towns the "man" and the "boy" went through.

I had some problems with the timing of this novel though. DidnÂt the cataclysm occur before the boy was born? If so, that was a long time to be surviving since the boy was anywhere from 6-10 years old in my mind. What did they do in that long period of time? Why did the father wait so long to start fleeing the coming winter and move south? How were there still grasses and other tender vegetation even standing after 6-10 years of weather? Ah well, I guess the beauty of this book isnÂt in those typical post-apoc genre details.

I got the impression that the mother had shot herself, but was already blind (radiation sickness?). There was specific mention of having 3 bullets in the gun, but now having only 2, and finally 1 of course.

As for the baby, I got the distinct impression that the "family" they saw when they were hiding killed the baby and roasted it on the spit. I think that fits more in the hopeless mood of the novel than if the baby just died on its own.

As for the apocalyptic event, IÂm guessing it was a widescale nuclear war. There is mention of "rose colored" windows and a low "thumping" sound (like far-off nuclear explosions. Of course, this could also be consistent with a widespread meteor or asteroid shower too, including an EMP type of effect to wipe out all electricity. But given the despair at all things man in the story, I think it fits better to think that manÂs disaster was of his own doing.

The ending, while feeling a bit like a cop-out, was still very welcome to me because I wanted so badly for something good to happen to the boy after all he had been through. I was that invested in the characters.

Excellent book and highly recommended.

For those interested, OprahÂs interview with author Cormac McCarthy is scheduled to be broadcast June 5. Set your recording devices!

Thanks, Dorieann. I never could find the scheduled date on the website and was afraid I missed it.

Thanks for the update!

Did anyone else who watched the interview find it as lackluster as I did? The author actually seemed to be saying he does not care if nobody ever reads his work. And just his past lifestyle seemed irresponsible, to me. He was certainly less than enthusiastic about talking at all. No fault of Oprah, who is a superb interviewer, IMO.I was disappointed to not be told more about the symbolism in The Road.

Thanks for the update, nymph...sounds like I didn't miss anything by forgetting to DVR the interview...

As for his thoughts on the book, there's an old saying anyway: "Trust the art, not the artist."

I remembered to tune in for that, and I agree that it was lackluster to say the least. In fact, his slouching posture and what I perceived of as dismissive answers to most of her questions were quite offputting to me.

He hasn't given an interview in 30 years, and I can't imagine there would be much clambering to schedule him again!

Coming up for Martin....

Thanks for bringing this up.

Some interesting points here. I must say that I didn't really think of the religious symbolism - but I did agree that the father was more brutal (probably from necessity) than the son. I thought it was quite moving that the son was always wanting to help people, and the father had to be much more ruthless. And yet, at the end, the son more-or-less just waits to be found - and is found by one of the good guys.

I liked the way the son convinced himself that the guy who found him was a good guy - "Do you eat people?" And when the guy said "No", that was it - he was convinced.

I thought the boy was about eight. Any older than that and it wouldn't have been possible for the father to have carried him. Also, he was just old enough to realize responsibility, but young enough to make silly mistakes (like leaving the gas on so that it leaked, or leaving the gun).

Very fine book. I'm perhaps not as totally blown away by it as some, but I have no complaints about it winning the Pulitzer.

Just a note - The Road has won the James Tait Black prize in the UK. It's the UK's oldest and most literary prize, says the Guardian.

Here is a link that might be useful: The Road wins James Tait Black

I noticed that, Martin, a couple of days ago. I just forgot to post about it.

I saw it, too, and had even started typing a post for this thread when I was interrupted for one reason or another and forgot to finish it. I'm really not all that old ("old" being a relative term), but I truly feel that the number of senior moments I have is way out of proportion to my actual age. *sigh*

I just read on Yahoo's entertainment news that The Road will be made into a film with production beginning in January. Rumor has it that Viggo Mortensen has been approached to play the lead role of the father, but no deal has been finalized.

I always read such news about good novels being made into films with a fair amount of trepidation, although I will say that I heartily approve of the choice of Viggo Mortensen. *grin*

While reading reviews of The Road at a certain book-selling site, I came upon one of several reviewers who really didn't care for this book. In fact, one suggested that, instead of The Road, Swan Song should be tried. It isn't my intention to hijack this thread, but what about Swan Song? If you have read both books, how does it compare to The Road?

He's not who I pictured while I read the book, but Viggo Mortenson will be excellent in the role.

As for the rest of the movie, I'll reserve judgement.

Froniga wrote:

"While reading reviews of The Road at a certain book-selling site, I came upon one of several reviewers who really didn't care for this book. In fact, one suggested that, instead of The Road, Swan Song should be tried. It isn't my intention to hijack this thread, but what about Swan Song? If you have read both books, how does it compare to The Road?"

[b]The Road[/b] does not compare [b]Swan Song[/b].

The first is a piece of literature by one of America's finest authors. A novel about despair, hope, love, despair, and brutality set in a devastated landscape. Sparse, beautiful, and haunting writing. It's starkness burns itself into your brain.

The second is a post apocalyptic horror/science fiction novel a la Stephen King's [b]The Stand[/b]. Big story, lots of characters, the typical good survivors versus the evil warlord. Toss in a little magic here and there. A fun read, but they're in difference sections of the bookstore.

Kevin

I just picked this up from the library as a recorded book, and plan to start listening to it soon. Though by now I have a general idea of the plot, I suspect the book will still be rewarding to experience. I find Cormac McCarthy difficult to read, but well worth the effort required. Part of the difficulty is the lack of quotation marks. By listening to someone else read it to me, I skip past this problem.

Rosefolly

Kevin, thanks for your description of both books. From what you say, they both seem interesting in their own way. I did enjoy King's The Stand (but not much else of King's writing except his book on writing).
I wonder what it is about apocalyptic themes that so attracts readers. That question could be fodder for discussion.

I just finished listening to The Road as a recorded book. I heartily recommend it to anyone who is considering listening to it. Narrated by Tom Stechschulte, it is one of the most moving readings I have ever heard.

My own reaction to this book is in line with the majority opinion expressed here, that it is a beautifully written book describing an almost unbearably bleak topic. It will stay with me for a long time.

My own guess was that the disaster that took place was a nuclear war. I thought the gray ash and chill that filled the air was probably nuclear winter. Survivors probably would not have a good idea what had happened. I'm sorry to say that I thought the book seemed disturbingly realistic.

Except for a puzzling final paragraph which could easily have been some sort of flashback, there seemed little hope for long term human survival. Except for one mention of a dog, there are no animals left living. Never once did the author describe so much as a living blade of grass. Perhaps if the ash eventually settles and the sunlight returns, long dormant seeds will once again germinate. Still I don't see humans finding adequate nutrition to survive.

I just finished this. I think my reaction is similar to Martin's. I admire the writing, but I'm not blown away by it. I wouldn't say I've read a lot of post-apocalyptic novels, but I think I've read enough of them to feel that this one, while very fine, doesn't really stand head and shoulders above some of the other goods ones I've read. While I can appreciate the slight writing style, it did grow a bit tedious toward the end.

Found the attached article by Nick Hornby in The Believer. I think he's gotten some backlash for his flippant remarks about this book.

However, in the article Hornby mentions that he also read David Almond's Juvenile novel, Skellig. If you are feeling depressed about The Road, David Almond's book would make a nice anecdote.

Here is a link that might be useful: The Believer - September 2007

not anecdote (good grief, what was I thinking when I typed that?) -- I meant, antidote. Antidote!

May I join?

I finished reading the book yesterday, in a little under three hours. I've always enjoyed McCarthy, and to be honest, the lack of punctuation really doesn't bother me. John Barth's lack of punctuation (and periods, and paragraph marks, etc.), bother me.

I found the writing easy, but not simplistic; rather, I think it was just enough to convey significantly more images and ideas than overtly expressed. The ideas of love, coming of age, passing on manhood while still trying to maintain childhood, the idea of children innately sensing or knowing 'right', as compared to righteousness, the sadness, the hope; all were masterfully done. And the images that supported them; the good guys; the fire within and without as compared to the landscape were very good.

As for the bleakness; well...again, it's a pretty desperate backdrop to view all these ideas upon. There ARE places nearly as bad in the world right now, and truthfully, in this country, how much would it take for us to be on that level? We're not nearly as civilized as we often think we are.

All in all, I think at the moment I'd put this in the five best I've ever read, but that's just my two peanuts worth.

Jason! I'm glad to see you here. I'm also relieved you liked The Road since I kept pestering you to read it. ;-)

Although it's been several months now since I read it, I still find myself thinking about it often and at odd moments. In my opinion, that is a testament to the power of McCarthy's writing and imagery.

It reminds me of some of the older classics; Steinbeck for instance. McCarthy doesn't go on for four pages about how dark it always is, he says "[the darkness was] A blackness to hurt your ears with listening." Gee; don't need too much more description than that; I can visualize it perfectly, plus all the associated fears and tremors and little dangerous whisperings, both in myself and in the world around. That's magical. And of course I like all the tie ins and imagery which is often very subtle. When the man is talking about how history is being lost and things forgotten, he says "[that knowledge is] Drawing down like something trying to preserve heat. In time to wink out forever." Ummm....sound like a campfire? Like all the other fire images? Reminds me a lot of Paule Marshall's descriptions of hands and hand-use from A Chosen Place, A Timeless People (which I haven't read in 25 years)....but I still remember the power of the imagery.

Perhaps I also had a more emotional response to the book than others; I found it scary and depressing, but also hopeful and uplifting. Then again, I have a child that would probably act at that age, so I could see a little more of the emotion and meaning in some of the words (particularly when the baby is on the fire and the little boy says "Oh Papa"); that had a completely different sound, or voice, in my head, than I'm sure it does to others. Then of course, I think I can imagine this world better than others; this conversation would not take place on other forums, because so many people whom I think I know just refuse to conceive of things like this in the future. To them it's pure science fiction.

Welcome, Jason. I agree with all your insightful points of view. It has been some time since I read the novel but I am still haunted by it. If it were not so depressing, I would almost advocate it be read by all adult Americans, as it is so timely, in terms of the real threats in our age. The bleak landscape reminded me a bit of all I had read about the aftermath of Chernobyl in the 1980's, in what was once the USSR. The Russians are still dealing with the fall-out from that, and evidently the winds carried the toxins quite far into Europe, as well. I cannot conceive of people who would read this and not take it seriously -- anything but sci-fi!

I guess I'm odd man out, because I didn't really find any hint of hope at the end, though I suppose you could make an argument for hope as a redemptive force. It is, however, a thought-provoking exposition on why we allow ourselves hope in the face of such overwhelming gloom (I speak from the viewpoint of someone who is not religious BTW). Even if the people who found the boy are good, they still have no support system left for long-term survival. I thought the author was throwing us a red herring with the man and woman at the end. I couldn't help but be reminded of Beckett, especially the way the novel progresses (but without the absurd humor, of course).

As for it being a Science Fiction novel, no... I don't really consider this SF. It's one of those books that is written to serve its themes, which I see as both its strength and its weakness. I found myself questioning the science part, especially because the cataclysmic event isn't described. For example, if a major extinction event did occur, wouldn't the top predators be the first to die off? I don't think man would stand as one of the last survivors, outliving virtually all of his food sources. But that is all incidental to the themes that McCarthy develops.

I did love the imagery of that pellucid creature in the dark cavern at the beginning. I thought it beautifully represents how the fire within shines through the darkness, and perhaps is symbolic of it being housed in a beast. (yes yes I realize I'm a dark, brooding pessimist).

By the end of this novel, I felt more numb than emotional about it. I read Riddley Walker, another post-apocalyptic novel, just before this. I think I liked the feelings that Riddley left me with a little bit better. There is a discussion Riddley has at the beginning of the novel with a Tel Woman (equivalent to a wise woman carrying on the old oral traditions of knowledge), and it has eerie implications for this book. They are speaking of something that exists inside of men - whether you believe it is a soul or just a survival instinct doesn't really matter. The Tel Woman says to Riddley (in a form of pidgin English) about this thing that lurks inside of us:

I said, 'Whats it afeart of?'
She said, 'Its afeart of being beartht.'
I said, 'How can that be? You said it ben here befor us. If it ben here all this time it musve ben beartht some time.'
She said, 'No it aint ben beartht it never does get beartht its all ways in the woom of things its all ways on the road.'

I've never read Riddley Walker but it is on my list to read someday. Not too soon, though. I'm still trying to recover from this book. I took it like a blow. I'm so disturbed by it, indeed so convinced by it, that I'm walking around in a fog of sorrow.

Perhaps a dozen books out of the thousands I have read in my life have affected me so deeply. I know its effect will fade in time. For now I cannot seem to leave it alone, worrying at it like a sore tooth. I must have been in a vulnerable state when I picked it up, already concerned about climate change and its effects facing us. If I had read this novel at another time, would it have hit me so hard? I don't know.

Rosefolly

Georgia, you've made some interesting points, and I do agree with you in that I didn't feel that McCarthy was offering hope at the end of the novel. In fact, I felt that the outlook for the survival of the boy and the family who took him into their care was dim and doubtful, to say the least. The only hope I found was that the boy wouldn't be alone, at least not right away.

The scientific weaknesses of The Road are evident, true, but somehow I feel that McCarthy's intent was not so much to dwell on how the characters came to that point in their lives but that he was most interested in the exploration of the relationship between the father and son and about the power of that love. I don't consider The Road to be science fiction in any shape or form, but I do agree with Jason that many people prefer to deny that we, as a civilization, could face a world such as McCarthy has portrayed. To them it is inconceivable.

I think that touches on another object that I was kind of thinking and you put into words, CMC. Let me throw this idea out there: "Hope" in the end doesn't necessarily mean that they're going to survive this; the hope is that the boy is not alone. I think that's one of the things the man strived for; he couldn't kill his own son, but he was afraid of him not being with someone. Years ago, there was a movie called.....uh....."Young Sherlock Holmes", I think. Can barely remember...but I remember about it was that when all these kids are sitting around talking about what they want (I want to be rich, etc., etc.), Sherlock there says "I never want to be alone." I had the same thought in this instance for the man; that togetherness was the reason for their survival, not the other way around.

There's a quote here, too, if I can find it.....hmmm....wonder if the library wants their book back....

In regard to hope, it is not unlike what happens at the end of the movie Testament with Jane Alexander (also about what ensues after a nuclear catastrophe, handled in a very realistic way). I can remember that movie having a very profound affect on me.

Well, I tried to find Child of God at the library today, since it appears a teacher who had it on a non-mandatory reading list might face criminal charges for "...suspicion of distributing harmful material to a minor..."

However, I've found that the book has 'disappeared' from the shelves without being checked out. This was a problem when I first moved here; books disappearing that might question certain beliefs, science books with entire chapters (generally regarding evolution), Sharpied-out, Mark Twain books with pages ripped out, Nabokov never had a chance here.

*sigh*. Guess I'm off to Amazon for that one.

BTW, anyone heard of which McCarthy book they were thinking of making into a movie? Was it The Road? Orchard Keeper?

According to Wikipedia, The Road will be made into a movie. It will be directed by a John Hillcoat, and Australian director, and adapted for the screen by a Joe Penhall, an English playwright.

I read somewhere, can't remember where, that Viggo Mortensen will play the father.

Rosefolly,

you mentioned that final, puzzling paragraph upthread. I think one of the reviews I read (Jennifer Egan, Slate) stated that final paragraph is reminiscent of Hemingway's short story, "Big Two-Hearted River". Up to that point, I had considered any comparison to Hemingway to be related to the minimalist writing style. I remember reading that story in college but I never would have thought of it or made the connection had I not read Egan's review. I might have to dig through my story anthologies to see if I still have it.

The movie is based on "No Country for Old Men" directed by the Coen brothers (weird eh?). 'The Road' is not McCarthy's best book in my opinion but non the less compelling. In a way I think the mans drive is similar to the 'Go West' notion that existed in pioneering days. There is some reference to the chances of survival, and this may also be true in a pre-apocalyptic world, being better in cooperation with others than alone, if your companions are chosen wisely.

It is possible the the Coen brothers could be making "No Country for Old Men". That too was a fine book, but not as compelling as "The Road".

imdb.com shows "The Road" in pre-production as I stated above with a completion date of 2009. That site also shows Viggo Mortensen as part of the movie if you enter his name.

Kevin

Perhaps I wasn't clear but the movie "No country for old men" has been made, it has Tommy Lee Jones and Woody Harrelson. I saw the trailer and it is very violent. I was answering jason not disputing what you said about 'The Road'.

Inkognito, sorry for the misunderstanding. "In the Country of Old Men" could be an interesting movie. When I think of the Coen brothers the first thing that comes to mind is the usual underlying comic aspect to their work. Then I looked at the list of their films and realize that "Miller's Crossing", "Blood Simple", and "The Man Who Wasn't There" are all pretty straightforward hard boiled films. They should handle the matter of fact and abrupt violence of McCarthy's book well. How, or if, they incorporate the important sections of the book from the sheriff's point of view remain to be seen. I'm looking forward to seeing it.

I was glad to see that Woody Harrleson is not playing the part of Moss. Him I can do without.

I see Tommy Lee Jones is also playing Dave Robicheaux in a movie version of "In The Electric Mist with the Confederate Dead" by James Lee Burke. Burke's Robicheaux novels are near or at the top of my favorites list of hard boiled fiction, but that's a another thread entirely. Two pretty meaty parts for Tommy Lee Jones.

"The Road" will be a challenge as a film. Seems to me a perfect candidate for black and white.

Kevin

Kevin, I didn't know Tommy Lee Jones would be portraying Dave Robicheaux. In fact, I didn't even know they were making the film. I don't know whether to rejoice or sob since I think that James Lee Burke is one of the finest novelists of any genre working today as far as descriptive prose goes. I hope the movie does him justice. I am a Tommy Lee Jones fan, though, so I know that all can't be lost.

It's interesting that you should mention that The Road would be a good candidate for black and white. I agree.

Colormeconfused. Tommy Lee Jones seems a bit old and small to play Dave. He is a great actor, but I think of the scenes in Burke's Robicheaux series where Dave "sees black" and unleashes his fists or anything he can get his hands on in sudden and brutal violence, and wonder if it will work. I don't specifically remember such a scene in "Electric Mist", but they usually take place at some point, and they are important, as Robicheaux constantly struggles with his dark and violent side.

I don't know if you're aware, but this won't be the first time Dave Robicheaux has been portrayed in a movie. Alec Baldwin played him in "Heaven's Prisoners", which was a combination of the first two books in the series. It was soundly thrashed by critics and flopped at the box office, but I kind of enjoyed it.

I agree with you about Burke's talent. He sells a lot of books, yet I feel he is under appreciated. I recommend his work often.

Kevin

Sorry for the off topic.

My first thought was black and white, too. But then I thought of the rare scenes when there is good light. Those would be missed if the filming was in b&w, and garish if they switched to color for those a la Wizard of Oz. It would be more effective to shoot it with a graying filter, then shoot more brightly the scenes where there actually is come light, campfire or lamp.

I agree that The Road will be a challenge to film. What a heavy burden will fall on the child actor!

Rosefolly

It's a bit off topic, but for those interested in the film No Country for Old Men, there's an interesting article by Larry McMurtry in this week's issue of Newsweek about the film. I enjoyed reading his insights into the film as well as his thoughts about McCarthy and the setting of the book and movie.

Interesting that Larry McMurty has an article about Cormac McCarthy.

Here's a link to the Newsweek article. I'm looking forward to the movie.

Kevin

Put her in the ol' vise.

Here is a link that might be useful: McMurtry on

Blurry eyed from reading, I just turned the last page of The Road. Then I rewarded myself by reading all the spoilers given in this thread.

Hope. Was there hope? In my own mind, I see a place somewhere, where life can continue. But it will be imperative that of those who survive there will be a few who are "carrying the fire"-- the awareness of the difference between right and wrong and the courage to behave accordingly. To keep civilization alive.

Civilization is such a fragile thing. Possibly McCarthy was making just that statement. Even after the complete "end of the world as we know it" there is the hope that of whatever survivors there may be, some will keep that fire burning. The boy had it. The man who came to him after the father died seemed to catch on to his meaning and said he had it too. That's hope.

I wanted to ask jason what he meant about those two macs. I really like McMurtry's thoughts on McCarthy in that review.

Actually, I appreciate all the movie information. I'm reading "In the country..." right now, so the Nov. 21st release date will concide nicely with the second movie I've seen in a theater in the past decade.

To answer your question, inkognito, I think it's interesting that one author, McMurty; someone who kind of delves into long-suffering ideas and people through so many novels, is the 'critic' of another. Usually you get someone who critiques for a living, which means they look at things from the outside. McMurty is another author; he knows the interal though processes, 'sees' the way that he thinks about characters, and then talks about another. That to me is a REAL article about the workings of a piece of literature.

I have been wondering if anyone else has had some lingering long term effects from reading this book. I felt emotionally and mentally battered when I first finishing it. All these months later the memory of it still crosses my mind almost every day, and I push the thought away so that it is possible to enjoy life.

Never before had I read a book left me feeling quite literally damaged. Has anyone else had this experience, with this or with another book?

Rosefolly

Chiming in very late to this thread. I found his style of writing to be astounding. As far as the bare bones of the book, I disliked it. Greatly. I read Wiesel's "Night" right afterward and compared to the real horrors of WW-2, this book paled, actually. I know I disagree with readers and critics alike, but I just didn't like this book. I will say that I read it in one day, like many of you, felt oddly drawn to it, but at the end, I put the book down, thought about it, and what I took away was this - enjoy your todays, enjoy the simple things. Hug your kids, your dogs, keep canned goods in your basement.

One small thing that literally had me complaining out loud... I am a boater. The fact that they knew of the dangers and the lack of food on land should have prompted them to right that sailboat, load it up with the stuff in their grocery cart and head out to sea. It could not have been worse. In fact, perhaps, with a glimmer of hope alive in me, they may have found a place not quite as decimated. And they never dug in the sand for clams, they never turned over a rock in the ocean... just to check. Frustrating.

PAM

Never before had I read a book left me feeling quite literally damaged.

That's why I never read it -- I'm way too much of an emotional reader to read stuff like that and not have it intruding into my thoughts thereafter. I figured The Road would fall into the 'avoid at all costs' category. I'm even worse with movies, I still have images from "Seven" and "The Handmaid's Tale" that I can't get completely out of my head. There was one book I read as a teenager that included the most grisly description of a murder imaginable. Though the title, author, and other details of the story are thankfully long gone, the description of the mutilated body still pops into my head from time to time. I wish I could scrub that one out!

There's a movie being made of The Road with Viggo Mortensen playing the father. It will probably be brilliant, but I would never, ever go see it.

SheriZ6, thanks for the warning. I won't go see the movie either, no matter how much praise it gets. Hmm, I can see Viggo Mortensen in the role of the father, good choice.

I'm sure that eventually I will recover from reading this book, but it's taking a long time. I've read a number of post apocalyptic books before but none of them had this effect on me.

Rosefolly