Where I share my love of books with reviews, features, giveaways and memes. Family and needlepoint are thrown in from time to time.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

The Road by Cormac McCarthy (Book Review)


Title: The Road
Author: Cormac McCarthy
Publisher: Knopf
Genre: Robinsonades/Fiction
First sentence: When he woke in the woods, in the dark and the cold of the night, he'd reach out to touch the child sleeping beside him.
I listened to this book on audio tape and fell in love with the narrator's voice, Tom Stechschulte. The book was so good, that about 1/2 way through, I checked out the written version from the library so I could enjoy it whenever I was able. Well, after a few pages, I missed the narrator so much that I returned the book and continued with the audio version. I could just hear him saying "It's okay, it's o-kay."
The Road tells the story of a father and son in a post-apocalyptic world. The bond between them is evident from the beginning. The hope that the father is able to instill in the son in this seemingly hopeless and dire environment is amazing.
Though place names are not mentioned, they are following a map, and it seems they are going through the mountains to the ocean - so I pictured heading west to the Pacific. Along the way they are able to stay one step ahead of the 'bad guys' and with the boy's insistence, help others whenever they are able. People are few and far between, and food and supplies are even scarcer.
With every step traveled, every tin of food found or lost, every imagined and unimagined danger, I was kept on the edge of my seat. Travel with the boy and his Papa on their search for any good that is left in the world as the continue to carry The Light.
I just discovered that this book has been made into a movie to be released this year! This will be a must see for me!
Other reviews:

11 comments:

Isabel said...

Great review!

I've heard many good things about this book!

Michelle Olsen Sasak said...

It's funny, the first time I read this, I loved it so much. The second time, I was incredibly depressed by the hopelessness. I think I wasn't in the right mood to read it the second time...

I'm excited for the movie too...isn't Viggo Mortensen playing the father?

Kristi said...

Mo- Yes, Viggo Mortensen is playing the father - my husband is behind me watching TV and I just heard the line - We're gonna be okay - and I jerked around - and it was a trailer for the movie! That is just weird because I just found out today it was going to be a movie!
Kristi

Anonymous said...

I went with audio for this book as well. Though it was good, it was soooooo depressing. The ending had me down-in-the-dumps for days.

b said...

Oh - didn't know about the movie....I have The Road on my TBR list. I'll have to read it next so I can get it done before seeing it. Thanks for the review and like your blog. Found you through Semicolon. B.

Tif Sweeney said...

I really have mixed feelings about this book. I was glad to see on the From the Stacks Challenge that you had decided to read this and I could get another person's thoughts! If you are interested, here is a link to my review . . . http://tiftalksbooks.blogspot.com/2008/12/road-by-cormac-mccarthy.html. Feel free to check it out and let me know if you have any other thoughts!! :)

Anonymous said...

Kristi, I've been meaning to read this for a couple of years. I just need to do it! Congrats on finishing a Lit Flicks selection.

priscilla said...

This sounds wonderful. I've read Blood Meridian and All The Pretty Horses. McCarthy can be a bit bleak, but you've convinced me to pick this one up as well. And I can't wait for the movie (even though I haven't read the book) just knowing Viggo Mortensen will be in it.

Just Mom said...

I've been wondering about this one. My daughter read it so it is here in the house somewhere! Interesting that it will be a movie - I'll have to move a little quicker. Enjoyed the review!

Suzanne said...

I listen to a lot of audiobooks as well. I drive a lot for work and listen to them while I'm driving. It makes the time go so much faster. I know just what you mean about falling in love with a narrator. I listened to a couple of the Dark Tower book by Stephen King and I just loved the narrator. When I was reading the others, I could still hear his voice! His name is George Guidall, listen to something of his if you ever get the chance.

I did love this book, btw, I was just disappointed in the ending. I felt the wrap up was just too easy. It's the end of the boy's world as he's known it and as soon as he comes out to the road he sees salvation? Just that one part bothered me. The rest was wonderful.

Marg said...

I have added your link to my review of The Road

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