|
The Road | 
 enlarge | Author: Cormac Mccarthy
Publisher: Picador
Category: Book
List Price: £7.99
Buy New: £5.00
You Save: £2.99 (37%)
Media: Paperback
Pages: 256
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.9
ISBN: 0330447548
EAN: 9780330447546
ASIN: 0330447548
Publication Date: June 1, 2007
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
|
| Also Available In:
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 209 more reviews...
 Strangely compulsive November 21, 2008
This is an odd novel that is challenging to desicribe in an understandable way. A father and son pass several days in fearful existence after some apocolyptic event. We know very little more than that about the background; who are these people? What has happened? How did the main characters survive when it seems others didn't? Building on that background of ignorance the novel describes in fair detail the fear and uncertainty of several day's existence, but without a very clear conlusion. If I read that description in a review then it would hardly inspire me to reach out and take this novel off the shelf and yet it is oddly compulsive and oddly gripping. Despite the descriptive nature of a lot of the narrative that moves on without much sense of plot or story the mood created is spellbinding and the description of bond between father and son is extrmely touching.
 Dazzling brilliance... November 20, 2008
This is a dazzling, bewitching book, which takes the rule book and throws it out of the window, yet manages to transfix, and hammer the heart and the mind. I can't vouch for any other McCarthy books as this is my first, but it is breathtaking.
The list of what McCarthy doesn't do is long - no character names, almost no physical description of anyone, no direct dialogue, no explanations, no back story. But the list of what he does do is stunning - the characters have subtlety and are multi-faceted, the bleak new world is portrayed in vivid and impactive tones, and the whole book leaves the reader both shattered and thoughtful. The relationship between the man and his son is touching, elegantly-crafted, underplayed and genuine.
The simple style and basic plot is deliberate, and demands a high level of skill to make it into a thought-provoking and brilliant journey for the reader. This book is proof that it is the mind of the author that makes the difference; these basic resources in most hands would be dull, predictable and immature. McCarthy is able to exploit the gaps in your knowledge, and the absence of detail, as positives; the book treats you as an intelligent adult who wants to form their own opinion, instead of being spoon-fed and signposted.
What a contrast this is to some of the dross out there. How easy it is to recognise a great book when you see it - and how vividly it throws up the contrast between this, and many other lauded authors.
A book that will stay with you.. November 20, 2008
The Road was originally released in 2006, and one year later, it was the winner of The Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. It has received many outstanding reviews, but also some negative. With the release of Harvey Weinstein's film in 2009, panmacmillan are releasing a film tie-in version.
The Road tells of a journey taken by a man and his son, years following an unnamed catastrophe that has befallen North America, and presumably the rest of the world. There are brief hints as to what has happened, but nothing more. Most of life has gone.. plants are dead, and most species are extinct.
This is not an action tale, which seems to be the main point of the negative reviews. The story does not depend on moments of drama or terror, but rather the day to day struggle to exist, in a bleak world.
The style is basic and minimal, with no chapters, and no speech marks. It takes a while to get used to, but once involved in the book, the style allows the journey and the story to unfold, without any distraction.
Set against this dark background, is the close relationship between the father and son, as they continuously strive to survive. This closeness is ever apparent, as they rely on each other day to day. Through them you feel fear, love and also hope, as they attempt their continuous journey together.
An action book this may not be, but it's certainly one that will leave a lasting impression on you.
Harrowing. try not to cry at the end like i did. November 19, 2008
The Dialouge: spare rhythmical exchange between father and son in a post apocolyptic hell world. ( I believed every word they said to each other, Realism!!! so amazing)
The Writing: some good similies. the Father's thoughts are beautiful and realistic.
The Story: The Father and son are 100 percent beleivable. it felt real. it all felt real. The story has been done before in comic books to death--nice to see it done in a realistic manner.
you, your children, your grandparents should read this. November 17, 2008
This is a chilling look ahead. A brilliant writer. Read this with somebody else in the house and phone access to a therapist. This man is my favourite modern American author.
|
|
|
More Books and Shopping ideas
Management Six Sigma
Photo Shop for cameras.
Other areas of our Zeugma website include Pictures of Swans, Photos, read the blog, learn about Scotland | |
