This is a work of art. Many people say it is a dark, depressing book. In some ways, that is true, but the beauty of the relationship between the father and son creates a depth and richness contrasting the dire circumstances the characters are facing. Cormac McCarthy writes with ellegance. His text is filled with imagery and often reads like poetry. Quotations and tag lines aren't used and yet because the characters voices are so strong, you have no trouble determining who is speaking. You walk with them on their journey and become so immersed in the world the are in, you will cry when they suffer and wish you could somehow jump in and save them. I couldn't put it down and cried more than once while reading it. It is so powerful, you will feel like you've just lived through this tragic, poignant story yourself.

A plodding book, with no point as far as I can tell. No character development, no explanations for the situation, nothing. The prose is oddly structured and stilted, perhaps in an attempt to be more like prose poetry than story telling. I finished it, but I don't know why. I certainly didn't learn anything from it.

Update on 11/29/08: As I was scrolling through my previous posted reviews I came across this one and a new thought occurred to me. I suspect that if this book had been written by an unknown author it would never have been published, let alone selected by Oprah. The only thing that caused it to get noted at all - because it sure isn't the contents - is the fact that a major, published author wrote it. I suggest reading something else.

This is one of the most thought-provoking and well-written books I have read. Yes, it's dark. Yes, it's disturbing. But it's also a beautiful story of a father and son's relationship and determination to survive in a terrifying world. Some of the scenes in the book still haunt me, but this is one of those books that I know I'll read over and over again.

I couldn't put the book down even though it was one of the most depressing books I've ever read. I kept waiting for something good to happen. The end was not as uplifting as I had hoped for. I would not recomend this to a friend. That's why I'm posting it.

This book is dark and disturbing but, I just could not put it down. I read it in a day and am haunted by the images floating around in my head. The book is a testament to a father's love and the lengths a person will go to when faced with the most desperate situation. It will make you think of things you never want to think about.

This is the most depressing book I have read since I read Blindness by Jose Saramago. But like Blindness, I will never forget The Road. I could not stop reading it even though I wished that I could. Perhaps this is the mark of a great book: When it grips us, and tears at us, and we can't put it down, and we will never, ever, forget it.

I was really surprised by this one. It had a lot of hype and it was an Oprah Book Club pick, which usually means I will be bored or disappointed, but this one exceeded my expectations.

Great story! I couldn't stop reading this because I needed to know what happened next. It is written in short scene breaks that bothered me at first, but it made sense for the telling of this story and I think it added to the can't-put-down-yness.

It was bleak and sad, but hopeful. Some parts were scary and I actually got so into how creepy the bad guys were, that I was paranoid walking around my own house in the dark.

Good stuff. I highly recommend it even if you think it's not your kind of book.

I know that some people were bothered by the writing style, but I thought that it was perfect once I got into the rhythm of the prose. It felt authentic, like it was being told by someone who was there, someone who wouldn't waste words. As though the words to tell this story are as scarce as everything else is in the setting. I really thought that it was brilliantly written, in the very best way to tell this story.

This book is a wonderful, horrible story of a father and son going through the unthinkable. I loved it. I was thought provoking and intense. As a parent it made me think about things I wouldn't want to go through. I would definately suggest reading this.

Horrifing, morose, graphic. I did not finish this book, one of the few times I have ever chosen to not finish reading a best seller.
Far to intense for me.

Very disturbing but touching. Only one way to end you think and then pow another way for it to go. Very touching and moving

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This was truly a page-turner. I've always rather enjoyed end-of-the-world survival stories...I Am Legend, Children of Men...

I only wish they had explained exactly what had happened...

I tried to read this book because it was an Ophra pick. I dont think I would have read it if it were just an ordinary book.I just couldnt get into the book and I just didnt like it.

Dark, depressing, yet a gripping testament to the bond between father and son.

About 20 pages into The Road by Cormac McCarthy, I didn't think I was going to be able to finish the book. However, I had heard so many good things about the novel -- which features a theme that's right up my alley -- that I perservered. In the end, I'm glad I finished the book, but I know that I will never, ever read it again, and probably wouldn't recommend it to others.

My biggest problem with The Road was the author's use of language. I know that the lack of punctuation was for effect. I get that. But the inconsistencies drove me crazy -- I just couldn't turn off the inner editor in my mind. Why, Mr. McCarthy, do you only use commas in dialogue? (I mean, I have to guess that those sections were dialogue because you also don't seem to think quotation marks are important.) And why do you use apostrophes in some possessives and not others? Some contractions, but not others? In your post-apocalyptic world, is punctuation as scarce as food?

It's a shame that this device was so distracting, because in other ways, the writing is quite beautiful. McCarthy's word choice is surprising at times and very descriptive, helping draw the reader quickly into the despair felt by the story's nameless father and son, and painting a bleak image of the world they now live in.

The Road takes place years after a global disaster. Although it is never defined, I gathered that it was some kind of meteor event, based on the sooty air and the lack of concern over radiation. The story follows a father and young son -- each the other's whole world -- as they struggle to find food and resources by scavenging the scorched land. They are walking to the sea and to warmer climates, fighting a daily struggle to stay fed and to avoid contact with other survivors -- many of whom have resorted to cannibalism.

I know this was not supposed to be an uplifting story. But as a parent, I found it extremly difficult to read. The suffering is so palpable, and the love between the father and son is so compelling, even reading about their pain was almost unbearable. I considering closing the cover for good more than once.

Another problem I had with The Road was the naked and matter-of-fact horrors it contained. The gruesomeness of this new world was almost too much to stomach. For example, in one scene, the "good guys" encounter other survivors that are cooking a headless baby on a spit. I read horror, and expect to be shocked by authors when reading those books. But in this context, it was so grim and disturbing, I actually had nightmares about it.

Overall, I can't say The Road was a bad book. From a literary standpoint, I understand why it has received such acclaim -- McCarthy makes some very brave choices in his writing style and subject matter that really make the book notable.

But the bottom line is, I didn't like The Road, and I felt nothing other than a sense of relief when it was finished. I know Oprah recommended it, but I just can't do the same.

Disturbing, dark, depressing, and doesn't deliver. I've read about 2/3 of it so far and seriously doubt that I'll be able to drag myself through to the end. I still have no idea at all about why the charactors find themselves in the position they are in. What happened? What caused them to be where they are, doing what they do? The book leaves me with questions, but no answers, and I don't care enough about the questions to search for the answers, to hunt down the meanings, to learn about the incentives. I know it got excellent reviews, but I also know that I am by far not the only person who feels as I do about the book. I have tried to force myself to finish it, but there are too many other books I'd like to give my time to. I may instead give the book away in hopes that it will find a more understanding reader. As a writer myself, I know how important and valuable readers are. I'd like to feel I've given the book a chance to hit THE ROAD and find some happy readers. I'm just not one of them.

You will read this in one night. You just can't put this book down and it stays with you for months after.....I still get chills just seeing the cover!

Mixed review. Overall glad I read it. I enjoy thinking back on it. Makes me think.

PROS:
- Different kind of book
- Quick read
- Memorable characters (dad and son)
- And I'll always remember the ending.

CONS:
- Writing can be too much of the same thing.
- There is not much of a plot. Once you've read about 10 pages, just imagine that for the rest and skip to the last 20. You'll get the story and the feeling with the ending without having to read all the same stuff in between. (Although there is a scene that's worth reading in the middle where they are going to go in a house where other people are. Uh. Scary.)

Brilliant. Concise, evocative & profound.

Very dark but an easy, quick read.

very good

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