Reviews

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

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michaelnerdahl's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

sophia_joy17's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

or10n's review against another edition

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dark fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

This book was good, but not for me. Given the scenario outlined at the beginning, I expected more emotion, more stakes—just more. Instead it felt like a very bare-bones version of a story, like its own SparkNotes. I had high hopes given it's Pulitzer Prize win, but it fell short for me. I think "a story of survival" is far less compelling now than in 2006. If anything, I think it undersells the difficulties of a tragedy that changes the entire world forever. The lack of faith in humanity left a poor taste in my mouth as well. Not that of the main character, because he was being protective of his son, but of the author. I think making the main character paranoid and protective would have worked a lot better if everyone they came across wasn't a mustache-twirling villain. Overreaction would have been more interesting and compelling than accurate prediction. Not for me, but I'm sure someone's dad is going to love it.

thegillbird's review against another edition

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dark sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

aculyisaaron's review against another edition

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5.0

It's rare to come across a book as powerful as this one. I remember when I first picked this book up for a Literature class in uni. Doesn't this guy know how to use quotation marks in his writing? Then, I realised that truly powerful storytelling can transcend the need for such conventions. This beautiful story left me in tears at times, with its frantic prose immersing me deeply in its atmosphere.

I've always been fascinated with the limits of humanity's capacity for suffering, evil, hatred, love, violence, and kindness. Through the lens of a father and his son trying desperately to navigate a post-apocalyptic world, this book exposes you to the horrifying and touching lengths that a parent can go for their child.