The Road, by Cormac McCarthy
I read this in one day. It was so good, so captivating, I could not put it down! The story is dark and bleak, set in a post-apocalyptic world filled with grey, dusty air and a burnt-out landscape (while the catastrophe is unnamed, one gathers that it may be nuclear war that caused such destruction — with no green in sight, dirty toxic air and water, no animals or fresh food to speak of), and at the beginning of the book, I found it difficult to get over the depressing nature of the story. But something happened along the way, as I read about the father and his young son trying desperately to survive the elements and living meal-to-meal while dodging danger everywhere; I began to see the small details with a touched and open heart. The small kindnesses, particularly from the perspective of the young boy, gave beauty and light to the bleak story.
This was an amazing book that has stuck with me and even entered my dreams since I finished it a week ago.
The Road is such a great read! It made me think of humanity and how much we take for granted, and also the ‘what would I do…’ questions.
I remember this being made into a movie some years ago???
Yes, it was, but I haven’t seen it. I think the movies always ruin the books for me!
I love this book too and also read it fast, while my husband and I were house sitting for his parents who live in the mountains away from any town in their own little wilderness. It was cold and stormy and I was pregnant with my first and it is one of my favorite memories. Some of the book still haunts me….like the people in the basement, oh my gosh I had to re-read it a couple times to make sure I was understanding it. The father and son relationship touched me deeply.
Thanks for blogging, I read your most recent post before this one and I am one of those people who read and think but never comment-I really love visiting your blog and your creativity and family is always a source of inspiration to me 🙂