Read for: RIP IV Challenge
Yet another relatively brief review, not just for lack of time, but because I am truly not sure that I can do this book justice, and because I was truly lost for words upon reading it.
The bleak opening of McCarthy's The Road, introduces us to a man and his son walking through a post-apocalyptic wasteland, along the titular road, in the hope of finding...what? Nothing is left, the world is barren, dark and cold. Fear permeates everything. Fear of starvation, fear of injury and disease, fear of the cold, fear of the unknown, and fear of what is known. McCarthy's world includes that most terrifying of post-apocalyptic ideas, the loss of humanity. And I don't mean the human race being wiped out, but the survivors losing what it is that makes them human. The world he describes is truly dog-eat-dog, and forces his characters (and his readers) to face the stark reality of their existance.
The only word I can think of that really encompasses the world that McCarthy has created, the challenges and events that his characters experience, and the feeling that they evoke is...devastating. The cause of this devastation is never unveiled, it is unimportant. McCarthy is not preaching about what we are doing to the Earth or our fellow man. The story is solely the survival of these two people. Not just their physical survival but their desire to survive. More than once the son expresses to his father than perhaps it would be better if they died, and in the circumstances, completely understandable. It is the father's strength, his love for his son and his hope, his inexplicable, all-encompassing, sometimes unbearable hope that I found most devastating. More than once, I felt hollow, as if all hope and joy and desire had been sucked out of me. And I was merely reading this book.
The Road is emotionally draining. I defy even the most hard hearted to not be moved by it. I am not however suggesting you will be blubbing over the book, mopping your eyes with endless tissues. Quite the opposite. I could not cry, it was too devastating, and that hollowness stayed with me long after I finished reading. In fact it was several days before I could consider reading another book.
But do not for one second think that I am suggesting you do not read this book. Powerful and difficult it may be, but it is also one of the most beautiful and haunting books I have ever read.
Proof entirely that Cormac McCarthy is an extremely talented author. And a perfect introspective winter read, assuming you are in the right frame of mind.
I believe the film is finally being released in January...anyone think they are interested in seeing it?
(Ok that apparently wasn't as brief as I thought!)
Other blog reviews:
Bold.Blue.Adventure
Fluttering Butterflies
Becky's Book Reviews
Leafing Through Life
Things mean a lot
The Written Word
Stella Matutina
(have i missed yours?)
13 comments:
I have to admit, I was on the fence reading this book. Your review pushed me over to the "must purchase" asap. Thanks!
I hope to get to this one before the year is out or perhaps right after the first of the year. It sounds like such a powerful book--not to mention emotionally exhausting. I hope to read it before the movie hits local theaters. Thank you for your wonderful review, Mariel.
Interesting to hear this reviewed... I've always thought of picking it up, but found the subject matter off putting. Instead I just picked up the Orchard Keeper, another of his books, and am finding it a tough go. Not much of a story & the writing doesn't exactly flow. Maybe I should have stuck to the Road.
This one's on my list of 'to-be-read' books. I need to get on the ball, I want to read the book before I see the movie, and I have to see the movie. Viggo Mortensen is amazing.
Oh my goodness. My friends have been raving about this book for weeks now. I simply must read it.
I read this over the summer and loved it! DH and I were actually just talking about it today!
wow, it sounds really emotional. I have this one in my TBR but havent picked it up yet.
Great review.
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/
Read it and loved the writing. It's an important read, not necessarily an enjoyable read. And yes, I plan on seeing the movie, expecting it to be different and not as good as the book as is almost always the case.
I read this book a few years back. This book was really good and so night and day compared to McCarthy's other writing--but then I like writers who don't write the same story a thousand different ways. His writing style was the first I had ever really seen that wasn't "normal" or what I guess would be coined as general and it definitely encouraged me as a writer to push the envelope and think outside the box.
I read it when it first came out. It is very dark. I found myself at every turn of page feeling that surely something good would happen, that if I read long enough there would be a respite from the almost hopelessness of the journey. And yet, that the man kept on going spoke to a kind of hope and when the child is taken on by strangers speaks to their humanity.
Christina - It is a book that I can imagine some people struggling with, but so beautifully written that I would certainly recommend it.
Literary Feline - I am very glad that I have read it before the film comes out. It is a very powerful book and hard to imagine the film living up to it.
Kelly - I have not read any of his other books, and was really not sure what to expect from the Road. It is certainly different from anything else I have read.
West by Midwest - I think Viggo will play the father wonderfully, he can be such an intense actor.
Ashley - I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
acdc080109 - Glad you liked it too!
Naida - Very emotional and not an easy read. But I hope you enjoy it.
Bree - I agree. Enjoy is perhaps the wrong word as it's not exactly my idea of a fun read, but was so beautiful. I am always worried about film adaptations, but hope this will be good.
N.E.Avery - I have heard that Road is very different to his other writing, but am pleased to see that some authors challenge themselves and do not get to comfortable in their writing.
Perle - That's exactly my feeling while reading the book, hope and hopelessness all wrapped up in one.
I'd actually forgotten that I'd reviewed this book. It was amazing and I couldn't stop thinking about this book for days after I'd read it. It haunted me. What you said about all hope and joy had been sucked out of me was spot on. I wonder if I'll be as affected by the movie?
Clover - The Road stayed with me for weeks, and I found it very hard to get into another book. Although I have heard the film is a very faithful adaptation, I am always worried it won't live up to it. Fingers crossed.
Post a Comment