re: The Road

quote:

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I think Cormac McCarthy came out and said they were father and son because if they weren't, the story wouldn't be nearly as powerful.

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In his recent rare interview he said the book was inspired by him having a son at an old age (70+ I think). He knows he may not be around when his son matures and worries about that and how to be sure his son does well.

As to the reason for the fall of civilization - that is left vague on purpose. The book does mention flashes of light in the distance and the father fills the bathtub to be used as protection from heat. A nuclear exchange is possible but radiation is never a concern that is mentioned so I tend to think something like a massive meteor strike is more likely (especially with all the dust). It really doesn't matter though.