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BOOK BOARD. Cormac McCarthy's "The Road" Thoughts? Questions
Posted on 5/15/13 at 11:35 pm
Posted on 5/15/13 at 11:35 pm
Just finished it, I'm torn.
Overall pretty good, but was a little disappointed in the ending. 285 pages of man and son struggle, 1 page of man dying, man in ski suit comes and takes the kid away.
I just didn't like the dad dying, then all of a sudden a man appears on the road to save the kid. It was too quick. They left too much unanswered.
Why was everything the way it was? Was there some giant fire or what? Ash just covering everything, people eating other people, I mean what the heck happened. Even just a hint. I liked the man and boy thing, no personal names, I thought that was cool.
I've yet to see the movie so I don't know what they did with it, but how old does everybody take the boy to be?
Question: Why didn't they stay In the bunker? It was hidden very well, and they could have lized cozy for a while.
Overall pretty good, but was a little disappointed in the ending. 285 pages of man and son struggle, 1 page of man dying, man in ski suit comes and takes the kid away.
I just didn't like the dad dying, then all of a sudden a man appears on the road to save the kid. It was too quick. They left too much unanswered.
Why was everything the way it was? Was there some giant fire or what? Ash just covering everything, people eating other people, I mean what the heck happened. Even just a hint. I liked the man and boy thing, no personal names, I thought that was cool.
I've yet to see the movie so I don't know what they did with it, but how old does everybody take the boy to be?
Question: Why didn't they stay In the bunker? It was hidden very well, and they could have lized cozy for a while.
7
Posted on 5/15/13 at 11:39 pm to iwyLSUiwy
I've found that his books are more intriguing because of the style of writing rather than for the narrative. No Country being the only exception where story was better than prose.
Posted on 5/15/13 at 11:41 pm to Rohan2Reed
quote:
I've found that his books are more intriguing because of the style of writing rather than for the narrative. No Country being the only exception where story was better than prose.
no doubt. Road is alright, but I enjoyed No Country and Blood Meridian much, much more
Posted on 5/15/13 at 11:45 pm to Rohan2Reed
What is your favorite book of his? I'm gonna check out NCfOM next. Love the movie. The border trilogy doesn't sound that great.
Posted on 5/15/13 at 11:46 pm to iwyLSUiwy
quote:
Why was everything the way it was? Was there some giant fire or what? Ash just covering everything, people eating other people, I mean what the heck happened. Even just a hint. I liked the man and boy thing, no personal names, I thought that was cool.
The characters didn't know either. Something happened, and they had to deal with it. I lean toward a Yellowstone Caldera-type event, but there are clues throughout the book to support other hypotheses, both natural and man-made.
Posted on 5/15/13 at 11:47 pm to iwyLSUiwy
You aren't asking me, but I really loved Blood Meridian fwiw.
didn't like all the pretty horses, so i didn't read the others
quote:
The border trilogy
didn't like all the pretty horses, so i didn't read the others
Posted on 5/15/13 at 11:59 pm to iwyLSUiwy
quote:
What is your favorite book of his? I'm gonna check out NCfOM next. Love the movie. The border trilogy doesn't sound that great.
Honestly I liked reading The Road more than any other of his books. It has an almost supernatural and very guttural quality that I liked. I enjoyed that things weren't revealed or spelled out for the reader. And a lot is left up to the reader which I enjoyed.
If you like more modern southern gothic (i.e. - not Faulker, McCarthy, Capote, etc.) I would read some of Walker Percy's lesser-known books. The Moviegoer is a solid book and something folks from the south who enjoy literature should read, but also check out The Last Gentleman which I think is a fantastic book and his late novel The Thanatos Syndrome is an odd but interesting book set in rural south La.
Posted on 5/16/13 at 12:09 am to Rohan2Reed
quote:
You aren't asking me, but I really loved Blood Meridian fwiw
It was a general thought. I ditched 1984 1/3 of the way in and finished The Road in a couple of days reading before I fell asleep. I can't decide if I want to finish 1984. I had yet to care for the main guy so it' was getting on my nerves.
quote:
If you like more modern southern gothic (i.e. - not Faulker, McCarthy, Capote, etc.) I would read some of Walker Percy's lesser-known books. The Moviegoer is a solid book and something folks from the south who enjoy literature should read, but also check out The Last Gentleman which I think is a fantastic book and his late novel The Thanatos Syndrome is an odd but interesting book set in rural south La.
I'd prefer Bossier but that'll work
Synopsis sounds pretty interesting.
Posted on 5/16/13 at 12:12 am to iwyLSUiwy
It sounds like you're the type of reader who likes more linear, story-driven novels. Can't force yourself to like writers who don't really meet that criteria.
Posted on 5/16/13 at 4:49 am to iwyLSUiwy
Knowing mcCarthy, he was trying to convey the suddenness of shite in the world: one day you're bringing a kid into this world, the next you're contemplating suicide on a daily basis because of all the reasons you listed.
Then, one day, you die and you're helpless to affect the living. As readers we are only left to hope and wonder what is to become of the world.
ETA - Used the word "world" 3 times in only a few sentences. Must be that early in the AM.
Then, one day, you die and you're helpless to affect the living. As readers we are only left to hope and wonder what is to become of the world.
ETA - Used the word "world" 3 times in only a few sentences. Must be that early in the AM.
This post was edited on 5/16/13 at 4:55 am
Posted on 5/16/13 at 4:53 am to iwyLSUiwy
quote:
1984
I enjoy reading this one more because of how in-depth Orwell got with this giant, blatant allegory for Totalitarianism and Autocracy.
I kind of care about Winston Smith as a character, but you're right he's not terribly intriguing or lovable. Still, his relationship with Julia is interesting enough given the circumstances they were both born into.
Posted on 5/16/13 at 6:48 am to iwyLSUiwy
As far as the couple that picked up the boy after his dad died...I seem to remember they mention they had been watching from a distance. They knew the dad had just died and I guess they then decided it was safe enough to risk meeting.
I read somewhere McCarthy said he was vacationing in New Mexico at a ski resort and it was snowing. During the snow something caught on fire and he had a vision at night of the mountains snowing while on fire. I think that was the basic inspiration for the novel. Anyway.
I read somewhere McCarthy said he was vacationing in New Mexico at a ski resort and it was snowing. During the snow something caught on fire and he had a vision at night of the mountains snowing while on fire. I think that was the basic inspiration for the novel. Anyway.
This post was edited on 5/16/13 at 6:52 am
Posted on 5/16/13 at 7:07 am to Ye_Olde_Tiger
Love that book. I always liked that you don't know what caused the apocalypic society we find our characters in.
Also, McCarthy's style and prose can make any story work, just brilliant. If you like it, checkout The Border Trilogy. It's a bit of a love it or hate it series, but it's up there with any American story ever told, a masterpiece IMO.
Also, McCarthy's style and prose can make any story work, just brilliant. If you like it, checkout The Border Trilogy. It's a bit of a love it or hate it series, but it's up there with any American story ever told, a masterpiece IMO.
Posted on 5/16/13 at 8:05 am to Rohan2Reed
quote:
Honestly I liked reading The Road more than any other of his books. It has an almost supernatural and very guttural quality that I liked. I enjoyed that things weren't revealed or spelled out for the reader. And a lot is left up to the reader which I enjoyed.
i haven't read any of his other books but i really liked the road for similar reasons. i actually felt the eeriness of the world he created to the point that it was almost uncomfortable to read but yet I couldn't put it down...that doesn't happen with too many books.
Posted on 5/16/13 at 9:24 am to iwyLSUiwy
The Road is probably my favorite book I've read. I read it at the time when my first born was less than 2 years old and I could relate to the shear terror of raising a child and preparing her in an uncertain world.
The book is dedicated to his son. His son at the time is very young maybe 8 or 9 while he himself is in his late 60's. he knows he won't be around to see him grow as much as if he was in his 20's or 30's. He just hopes he can teach him enough in a short time to get through life in the worst situation the world has to offer.
You knew the dad was going to die. He's just reinforcing just how precious life is and how short it can be. The man, with a family and dog, had been following them and there had always been clues. The book says he wore a bright yellow jacket which IMO represents The Fire, or hope and goodness in humanity. The whole environment had always been portrayed as dark, grey, and gloomy so the yellow jacket was pretty symbolic.
It doesn't matter b/c that's the past and you just have to deal with the now and prepare for the future. You never know what the future is going to deal you. An economic collapse, a natural disaster, famine, war, etc. You just have to prepare yourself and move forward hoping you can teach your child how to survive a scary world.
B/c they were hoping to find a better place, situation, world, etc. The one spot after a little comfort and nourishment gave them enough hope to keep going. The dad probably knew they could only last there so long. I personally believed the family knew about after they left.
The book is dedicated to his son. His son at the time is very young maybe 8 or 9 while he himself is in his late 60's. he knows he won't be around to see him grow as much as if he was in his 20's or 30's. He just hopes he can teach him enough in a short time to get through life in the worst situation the world has to offer.
quote:
I just didn't like the dad dying, then all of a sudden a man appears on the road to save the kid. It was too quick. They left too much unanswered.
You knew the dad was going to die. He's just reinforcing just how precious life is and how short it can be. The man, with a family and dog, had been following them and there had always been clues. The book says he wore a bright yellow jacket which IMO represents The Fire, or hope and goodness in humanity. The whole environment had always been portrayed as dark, grey, and gloomy so the yellow jacket was pretty symbolic.
quote:
I mean what the heck happened.
It doesn't matter b/c that's the past and you just have to deal with the now and prepare for the future. You never know what the future is going to deal you. An economic collapse, a natural disaster, famine, war, etc. You just have to prepare yourself and move forward hoping you can teach your child how to survive a scary world.
quote:
Why didn't they stay In the bunker?
B/c they were hoping to find a better place, situation, world, etc. The one spot after a little comfort and nourishment gave them enough hope to keep going. The dad probably knew they could only last there so long. I personally believed the family knew about after they left.
This post was edited on 5/16/13 at 9:28 am
Posted on 5/16/13 at 9:54 am to Rohan2Reed
quote:
It sounds like you're the type of reader who likes more linear, story-driven novels. Can't force yourself to like writers who don't really meet that criteria.
Man you pegged that pretty quick. My three favorite authors are Twain, Tolkien, and Sir A. C. Doyle. All character driven authors/stories. Sherlock, Fellowship, Huck Finn. I don't know what it says about my intellect but heck, The Jungle Book is one of my favorite books of all time, not a kids book though like the movie.
Posted on 5/16/13 at 10:15 am to Cdawg
I'm a huge fan of the book as well, and agree that the man was probably following them throughout. A poingant moment for me is when the child points out to his father that they aren't the good people because they never help anyone. The father is afraid of a world beyond his understanding. He tries his best, but he lives in total fear. He cannot join with the others and rebuild a life because that requires him reaching out and trusting others, which he simply can't do. It is up to the child to do that.
And the scene in the basement is one of the single most terrifying things I have ever read.
And the scene in the basement is one of the single most terrifying things I have ever read.
Posted on 5/16/13 at 10:55 am to Baloo
quote:
and agree that the man was probably following them throughout.
I know at one time the boy hears a dog and the dad mentions he feels like they are being watched a couple of times.
quote:
And the scene in the basement is one of the single most terrifying things I have ever read.
yeah that one and the part of having to point a gun at his son's head.
Posted on 5/16/13 at 11:16 am to iwyLSUiwy
quote:
What is your favorite book of his? I'm gonna check out NCfOM next. Love the movie. The border trilogy doesn't sound that great.
I would suggest checking out Blood Meridian for sure.
Posted on 5/16/13 at 12:46 pm to Cdawg
Man, following them the whole time? That seems impossible. What would they have done for food? They couldn't have been carrying a cart or whatever else they could it would have been to obvious, they would have messed up. And man and boy had some pretty good instincts IMO. They would have had to camp out a few days, plus, the dad didn't kill everybody they saw. They would have just had to put their arms up at a distance and slowly walk to them telling them they're good guys. Dad wouldn't have shot him.
I loved the scene where dad shot ol boy dead in the head. Showed he was a crack shot. Don't mess with his boy. That was intense.
I loved the scene where dad shot ol boy dead in the head. Showed he was a crack shot. Don't mess with his boy. That was intense.
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