"The Road" - whatever you're reading, put it aside

GWC Community GWC Book Club
#1

While not science fiction in any traditional sense - this is a must read, trust me. Many of you have probably heard of it and quite a few of you have already read it, so excuse me for being late to the game.

Cormac McCarthy (well known for having authored “No Country for Old Men” and “All the Pretty Horses”) won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction for this book in 2007.

Briefly, it is a post apocalyptic tale of a father and son attempting to survive and, perhaps, find refuge in a devastated landscape. (Think Cylon Earth) It is a truly remarkable book - if pretty ghastly in places (yes there is cannabalism and more). I’ll just leave it at that.

One can read it in about 4 hours - and, if you pick it up, best to have a 4 hour time block set aside because you will want to read it straight through.

It is deserving of its own podcast by The Big Three during the interlude between BSG and Caprica.

#2

One thing. Cannabalism and more? wondering about more With such high praise, I’ll have to check it out. Thanx OT.

#3

Umm - think The Reavers without spacehips.

Movie coming out this year, I think, with Aragon as the father.

#4

Viggo is great as a psycho. What’s the age breakdown on the father and son main characters?

#5

Well, he plays the father, who is heroic, to put it mildly. You never learn the names or the ages of the father or son, but the boy clearly is about 10 and the father anywhere from 35 to 45.

The “bad guys” (which is what they are actually called) make sporadic (unforgettable) appearances. Much is left to the imagination.

#6

Its funny, when i was reading this the first time i thought it all sounded familiar. A guy walking thru a post apocalyptic wasteland with a little kid every once in awhile fighting off bans of bad guys. Then it hit me. It is a much darker version of the movie Six String Samurai. Now Six String is a much lighter movie but the paths of the stories are very similar and even the ending is pretty much identical.

But it was a good read. I look forward to seeing the movie.

#7

What beguiled me about “The Road” was how beautifully written it is. But then, I guess that’s why they hand out Pulitzer’s.

#8

The audiobook was excellent. As a father of young children this book was tough to take sometimes.

#9

“The Road” is as beautiful as it is devestating. I can’t recommend it enough. This is not a feel good book. This hits you and reminds you pain is real. There are images evoked that still make me shudder. It is crafted by an expert and will stay with you for a long time.

#10

“each was the other’s entire universe”

#11

I bought it recently and really couldn’t read it for long periods. It’s brilliantly written but it’s hard going and emotionally troubling. I had to start and stop several times in order to read all of it.

I like being cheerful and easygoing, this book made it hard at times to be that.

#12

Cormac McCarthy, for my money, is the best working writer, from style to big-picture content. It’s brilliant, total masterpiece, nigh-impossible to put down, but not exactly enjoyable. When it comes to a post-apocalyptic vision, it makes The Road Warrior look like Ace Ventura. If you’re a parent, it’ll hit you where you live, and then some. Would love to discuss it at some length.

Grisly, grisly, grisly stuff. Eugh. But great.

#13

No argument with that at all. But I suspect you agree that the aspects that make it so difficult to read are also what make it such a strong piece of literature and never approacy gratuitous violence or sensationalism.

#14

I agree with everything you said except for being the best working writer. I’d have to, personally, give that to John Scalzi but that’s neither here nor there.

Books intense, movie looks intense. Wish I knew what caused the world to be frakked up though

#15

McCarthy has given one interview (to Oprah), I believe. Was asked that question, and after commenting that it really didn’t matter, said that in his mind it was an asteroid strike. That’s how he could so affect the entire planet - that is no real pockets of civilization - and not have to contend with radiation poisoning. (That last thought about radiation is mine.)

#16

I have wanted to read this for a while but now I will actually go to the library tomorrow and get it. Will report back soon.

#17

I have to echo what’s been said… this is a really good recommendation… I bought it about 2pm Saturday afternoon, and didn’t stop reading till I was done, about 8-10 hours (don’t really know, took breaks, all I know I was up until about 2-3 in the morning.)… very sublime. Horrifying. Really great book, if you’re looking for something to read… it stays with you. Alas, Babylon was paradise compared to the themes in this – waaaay more truthful.