The Road

By: Cormac McCarthy

Narrated by: Tom Stechschulte

Length: 6 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

Pulitzer Prize, Fiction, 2007

America is a barren landscape of smoldering ashes, devoid of life except for those people still struggling to scratch out some type of existence. Amidst this destruction, a father and his young son walk, always toward the coast, but with no real understanding that circumstances will improve once they arrive. Still, they persevere, and their relationship comes to represent goodness in a world of utter devastation.

Bleak but brilliant, with glimmers of hope and humor, The Road is a stunning allegory and perhaps Cormac McCarthy's finest novel to date. This remarkable departure from his previous works has been hailed by Kirkus Reviews as a "novel of horrific beauty, where death is the only truth".

McCarthy, a New York Times best-selling author, is a past recipient of the National Book Award and National Book Critics Circle Award. He is widely considered one of America's greatest writers.

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Critic reviews

"McCarthy's prose retains its ability to seduce...and there are nods to the gentler aspects of the human spirit." (The New Yorker)
"One of McCarthy's best novels, probably his most moving and perhaps his most personal...Every moment of The Road is rich with dilemmas that are as shattering as they are unspoken...McCarthy is so accomplished that the reader senses the mysterious and intuitive changes between father and son that can't be articulated, let alone dramatized...Both lyric and savage, both desperate and transcendent, although transcendence is singed around the edges...Tag McCarthy one of the four or five great American novelists of his generation." (Los Angeles Times Book Review)

Hauntingly sad but marvelous

As I wipe tears away I can only say that the book is a difficult one to listen to with a story of loss and hope. Narrator was excellent. The father was magnificent.

Awesome performance

I read this once before a number of years ago and decided to give it a listen after listening to No Country for Old Men I believe the same narrator does The Road as well. This is such a great read/listen, a terrible and sad view of what humanity can become. The narrator does an amazing job. Definitely recommend.

Wow

What a story!
So sweet and captivating. The father son bond had such love and trust. I was a pleasure to read.

Quite disappointing

Reading of the dialog between the son and father was painful. How many times can a person tolerate “papa Im
Scared”……. “ it’ll be ok”

Different bit Brilliant

No names. Just man and boy. That is all that is necessary though. Loved it.

This is the first book that ever made me cry

i can't believe how good this was. this has to be one of my favorite books of all time now.

Heartbreaking but powerful

The saddest, most heartbreaking story that I've ever read. Almost on every page, you wish it ends sooner than later. But it is also masterfully written and gripping - a real piece of art.

Read/listen at your own risk - it might get you really depressed; but it also can make you value your life and everything you have in it more.

It's also a good food for thought about what the future should and shouldn't be, and what you can do about it today.

Overall, it's a powerful book that I highly recommend.

P.S. I've listened to the audio version on Audible, it's narrated great, which, I think, added to my impression. Reading it might be a slightly different experience

Listened In One Day. I couldn’t Put It Down

Brilliant writing, and superb narration. Listening to this book was an incredibly good use of my time. I don’t usually care for post apocalyptic stories, but because McCarthy wrote it, I gave it a chance. And I’m so glad I did.
I’m at home, wasting away, doing my time because I’ve been terribly sick with COVID. I’m better, but still in isolation waiting to test Neg. This book put my jangled feelings and thoughts right back into perspective. Oh yeah, I so glad to be alive in these comfortable, modern times.
There’s a thousand reviews to read, so what can I add? I tend to go along with the reviewers who think this is a great book. I also found it uplifting because it’s a Love Story that describes sacred, unconditional love. Like the man found God in his son, I find God in the kind of love this book demonstrates.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is able to understand McCarthy’s writing…which is written at quite an advanced level. I had to go to the dictionary a couple of times.
I did the whole thing in one day…it’s that good!

Sad but Hopefull

There is not much I could say that hasn't already been said about this book. The writing is phenomenal, and the story (to the extent that there is one) is gripping. The relationship at the core of the book feels so real despite the apocalyptic setting that it carries the whole thing.
This book is well deserving of all the praise it gets. I will concede that it's not for everyone. As mentioned above, there is not a traditional story arc, and one could walk away feeling like there was little point. However, the core message of hope in darkness and the will it takes to keep going on is woven throughout and keeps the reader engaged.
4/5 Stars. I would recommend the book to most people

Intriguing, great story

The narrator did an amazing job. I need more. I haven’t looked yet, but I hope there’s a sequel.