Book Review 2 - The Road

Here's my literary review of Cormac McCarthy's critically acclaimed, bestselling, Pulitzer Prize winning and Oprah loved novel: The Road. It will soon be made into a movie starring Viggo Mortensen.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• literature
• book
• review
• cormac
• mccarthy
• the
• road
• oprah
• american
• viggo
• mortensen

[JyginsGreenBird]

I am fairly sure you have no idea how to write non-traditionally or recognize style. Cormac has a subtle touch- he uses motifs and elevated passages to express what others would outright say. His use of polysyndaton manipulates the reader into a lull that is completely false- he lets you believe all is greygreygreydullandgrey and then you get your legs sawed off by cannibals.

I was horrified when Opera placed her sticker on Cormac- he's better than that. I strongly disagree with your review.

[chasch]

Thank you for your insightful, intelligent, and relevant comment (although perhaps saying that I can't recognize style is unfair - can I recognize his non-traditional style without necessarily enjoying it?). It's good to get a discussion going instead of comparing my literacy level to Paris Hilton's.

[LisaB1138]

Perhaps you need some age and perspective for the book to affect you emotionally.  I found the sparse story-telling to be spot on, & the lack of "philosophy" to be indicative of what pure survival does to the "luxury" of examining the human condition through reflection & philosophy. Living in a constant state of fear for oneself, and in particular, one's child, strips away the veneer of civiliaztion, and we realize that much of human "achievement" is the result of safety and a full belly.

[AScearce2332]

The Road is not boring--it's devastatingly honest portrayal of a world in which all has come from blue and green to complete gray and how a man leads his son through journey so they can survive. This novel is one of the greatest I have ever read and will go down in history as classic and, as it is, it is already being studied in schools (it was studied in my school, anyway).

And dont complain about it not being philosophical enough--it is. Especially the last paragraph.

[runemrick]

Congratulations, you just told the world your educated beyond your intelligence.

It is very likely you would also hate "The sun also rises" by Hemingway. As a novelist, I am in awe of McCarthy. He opens the book with an anapestic rhythm and holds the reader with some of the finest prose ever written.

[abeeraj]

I completely disagree with you, and I see that many do as well.

however I do admire the fact that despite all it`s critical acclaim you still were able to speak you`re own mind.

I personally loved it, it was deeply touching, creative, and did raise great philosophical questions on what is the true reason for living, is loving your child a good enough reason to go through a life that basically isnt living? is it better for the child to face all of this or just die? 4 stars.

[musicismyfavorite777]

This book was beautifully told, and honestly probably the best book I've ever read. In my opinion at least. I never knew it was even a big book in media haha (obviously I don't follow Oprah =P) But everyone has their opinions I suppose.

[shcotty29]

I'm sorry, but this review reflects poorly on your intelligence. Even though I am trying to understand your opinion, the suggestion that this book is 'cold' is absurd. Every page is infused with an incredible sense of humility. What rises out of the undoubtedly bleak, grey landscape is the most moving depiction of what it is to be human I have encountered. All I can suggest is that you read again.

[krgallion]

Well i couldn't disagree more. Your biggest complaint is that it's boring but in the very next sentence, you say that it is written in a way that keeps it from getting boring. Your whole review makes you seem like a snob that enjoys being contrary for the very sake of being contrary. This was an absolutely fantastic piece of literary genius and i found it uplifting in the face of such utter bleakness. It is about being a parent and i fell that is something you just cannot identify with.

[duffman5800]

hahaha the person who made this video is not very bright

[sjplwc]

Sparring over matters of taste is silly, I admit. But, boring? Really? I couldn't put it down. Story totally absorbed me, hurtled me from page to page. My 14 yr. old, who *might* read one book a year (not counting school assignments) decided he wanted to read the novel after seeing the movie. He struggled a bit w/ McCarthy's unconventional style, but he finished (and enjoyed) the book. Trust me, if he'd found it boring it would have been back to the library w/ it. I strongly recommend The Road.

[sjplwc]

@Sarusource Soft ending? Yowzer. I thought the ending was shattering. I was numb for days. Maybe weeks. (Minor spoiler alert) Granted, it was not TOTALLY hopeless, utterly despairing -- but still pretty grim. I appreciate that, for once (?), McCarthy offered a crumb of light at the end of a long, dark, but brilliant tunnel. Personally, I loved this book. Read it twice. Have seen the film four times, at least. One of my favorite novels and movies.