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A review by jenbsbooks
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
dark
sad
slow-paced
3.25
Hard to rate this ... did I "enjoy" it? No. Appreciate it? Yes. While apocalyptic reads are in my wheelhouse, this one wasn't really on my list. Too "classic" perhaps? I've definitely heard of this author, this book, made into a movie (which also didn't call to me, just looked too depressing). No Country For Old Men (also by this author), is Hub's go-to movie. My son (#4) has recently taken up reading/audiobooks (yeah!) and I saw this on his currently reading list. Not sure what his inspiration was to pick it up, but I figured I'd give it a read (Hubs said it is on his list) and then we could possibly discuss it.
I feel like if I really delved into the book, examined it, dissected it ... for English class, or even bookclub, that I'd appreciate it more. Just a quick read for enjoyment ... well, there's just not much enjoyment here. I'm the first to admit, I'm totally the mom in this scenario. Why try to survive, and struggle and suffer? Why? Is there such shame in a quick, easy, painless out? Throughout the movie, as it ends ... I was never convinced otherwise. For the Man, for the Boy, for anyone else on the road. In this book/movie and so many others.
I went with the audiobook, which is a different experience than reading in print. In print, the lack of quotations, of credit (who is talking), is SO obvious. Less so in the well done narration, where it isn't missed, as the narrator has a different voice for the man, the boy, others. Kudos. Going with the audio, I would stop and repeat unique words, profound statements ... things that I would have stopped to highlight, note, look up, if I had been reading myself. I had a Kindle copy to look through as/after I listened.
I watched the movie after I finished the book ... some differences of course, some statements directly from the text, it captured much of what happened. What did happen? This was a tedious journey, with little/no real redemption or hope. It was interesting listening to the audiobook before watching the movie, but having seen a preview and thinking the "voice" of the Man didn't seem to match Viggo Mortenson.
So, I am glad I got the little push to read this. It's not one I'll think on fondly, but I like knowing about it to be able to discuss it.
I feel like if I really delved into the book, examined it, dissected it ... for English class, or even bookclub, that I'd appreciate it more. Just a quick read for enjoyment ... well, there's just not much enjoyment here. I'm the first to admit, I'm totally the mom in this scenario. Why try to survive, and struggle and suffer? Why? Is there such shame in a quick, easy, painless out? Throughout the movie, as it ends ... I was never convinced otherwise. For the Man, for the Boy, for anyone else on the road. In this book/movie and so many others.
I went with the audiobook, which is a different experience than reading in print. In print, the lack of quotations, of credit (who is talking), is SO obvious. Less so in the well done narration, where it isn't missed, as the narrator has a different voice for the man, the boy, others. Kudos. Going with the audio, I would stop and repeat unique words, profound statements ... things that I would have stopped to highlight, note, look up, if I had been reading myself. I had a Kindle copy to look through as/after I listened.
I watched the movie after I finished the book ... some differences of course, some statements directly from the text, it captured much of what happened. What did happen? This was a tedious journey, with little/no real redemption or hope. It was interesting listening to the audiobook before watching the movie, but having seen a preview and thinking the "voice" of the Man didn't seem to match Viggo Mortenson.
So, I am glad I got the little push to read this. It's not one I'll think on fondly, but I like knowing about it to be able to discuss it.