The Road

By: Cormac McCarthy

Narrated by: Tom Stechschulte

The searing, postapocalyptic novel destined to become Cormac McCarthy's masterpiece. A father and his son walk alone through burned America. Nothing moves in the ravaged landscape save the ash on the wind. It is cold enough to crack stones, and when the snow falls it is gray. The sky is dark. Their destination is the coast, although they don't know what, if anything, awaits them there. They have nothing; just a pistol to defend themselves against the lawless bands that stalk the road, the clothes they are wearing, a cart of scavenged food-and each other. The Road is the profoundly moving story of a journey. It boldly imagines a future in which no hope remains, but in which the father and his son, "each the other's world entire," are sustained by love. Awesome in the totality of its vision, it is an unflinching meditation on the worst and the best that we are capable of: ultimate destructiveness, desperate tenacity, and the tenderness that keeps two people alive in the face of total devastation.©2006 Cormac McCarthy (P)2006 Recorded Books

Didn't make it for me.

Any additional comments?

I listened until the end, but this book didn't make it for me. I did not connect with the characters. I was waiting for things to happen, but there were only 2 or 3 occasions that the father and son met up with others. It was long and drawn out. Yes, there was love between father and son, but I did not grow to care about them in a meaningful way. I was excited to buy this book and was sorely disappointed. Others may enjoy this title. I am not one of them.

Dark but moving

I was so moved by this book. I got it because I like "post apocalyptic" stories, but this was very different. Most end of the world stories are ultimately about starting over, going back to Eden, building a better world than the old one, etc. This was much more an allegory about the nature of hope, and what it means to be "one of the good guys."

Seriously dark, like extra dark with a side of dark, but beautiful and poignant, in a way that it couldn't be if it wasn't in that stark contrast with darkness and despair. The story strips away all the trappings of the world until all that's left is who we are and what we believe in. I didn't take it especially literally, but wondered if we aren't each of us both "the man" and "the boy" and our lives are "the road." That's probably just me being flaky though.

I thought it was really really good, but man, I'm planning to follow it up with something mindless and perky!

Whiny Kid and Dull Dialogue Plagues this Story

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Not really. It was annoying. I almost quit after half of the book, but had heard that many people had liked it. Having had 6 kids, the last thing I want to hear is a continuously whiny kid - "Papa, I am hungry." "Papa, I am cold." "Papa, I am scared." And all the father could say was "I know." or "it's okay." in a pitiful, sympathetic voice. And when the kid made one of many mistakes, the man would always blame himself rather than have the kid take responsibility for his own actions. Sounds like a rampant problem with the youth of today. No wonder.And to keep things really dull, the man and the kid did not have names other than "Papa" for the man.The blatant lies told by the father were seen through by the boy and seemed preposterous. So what I am I missing?

I did really like the reader. He was really, really good, easily differentiating the characters.

What was most disappointing about Cormac McCarthy’s story?

See above.

Which scene was your favorite?

When the father died and was rescued by a man who sounded more like what the kid needed in a father.

Was The Road worth the listening time?

Somehow I would like to think so, but someone has to convince me of its value. I am not there.

Boring......

This was a pretty boring listen. However, if you start it, you need to finish.

It just happens to be my pet peeve...

That is to say, I can't stand it when there's a young'ish child as a main character who whines and is scared the whole time. After the 15th "papaaaaa! I'm scaaaaaared!", my head just wanted to explode. Blake Crouch's "Run" is the same exact way, by the way..