The Road (Oprah's Book Club)
by Cormac McCarthy
Paperback- $11.88

NATIONAL BESTSELLER
WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE

The searing, post-apocalyptic novel about a father and son's fight to survive.

A father and ...

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  "Mindshattering, inspirational, darkly depressing literary masterpiece" by shanro89 (see profile) 05/21/07

This was a hard book for most of us to read due to it's depressing postapocalyptic subject. However, once read it takes you to an inspirational, almost religous, place in which you become so grateful for what you have in this world you are thankful to have been placed in this setting.

 
  "A man and his son struggle through to find a place where they may survive..." by lorena29 (see profile) 06/13/07

I found this book to be a hot topic because it involves a lot of spirituality, psychology, love, respect, fear, and many other things that are sure to bring in all kinds of responses. My readers found that this book made them cry and laugh, become frightened and then couldn't put the book down! It made for wonderful discussion and brought an awareness to what would you do if the end times were near.

 
  "A dark saga of a post apocalyptic world shared by father and son" by polliecarter (see profile) 08/06/07

Interesting character development and great opportunity for discussions. I felt torn between being repulsed at the created world and compassion and interest in the 2 main characters.

 
  "Not uplifting, but definitely worth reading!" by htammelleo (see profile) 08/09/07

This book is thoroughly engrossing. Although it is not necessarily a "happily ever after" type book, it does make you question your own morality and forces you to question what you will do when your time comes. A great read.

 
  "Makes for a lot of great discussion" by kyoung (see profile) 09/13/07

Our book club had members that loved this book, members that hated it, and others that were neutral about it; however, everyone had something to say about the book when it came time to discuss it. So much to discuss, so little time! It was like nothing our book club has ever read.

 
  "Father and son find humanity amongst the aftermath of armageddon" by skarohlid (see profile) 09/13/07

If you are looking for a feel good book with sunny characters, this is not the book for you. But if you want to read the story of a father and son's journey through an unthinkable, barren landscape as they discover the humanity and inhumanity in others as well as their selves, try "The Road."

I must admit that some of our book club members hated the book saying it was too dark and dismal. However, during our discussion, we found that the story was not really about the end of the world, but rather a classic father and son tale. If you can get past the horror of the post-apocalyptic world, you will find a tender and poinyant story of a loving a father/son relationship.

 
  "Quite depressing but interesting" by nadjaj (see profile) 10/17/07

Scores ranged from 6.5 to 8.5. McCarthy's style is stark, to say the least. Less violent than some of his others, but also less rich in character development because of the narration style.

But lots to discuss, especially many "what would you do" situations.

 
  "Man and boys voyage on a dark, desolate road" by mrsstarkent (see profile) 10/25/07

 
  "very thought provoking" by drust (see profile) 11/20/07

 
  "Long dark journey I do not EVER wish to see again!" by Zebra215 (see profile) 12/01/07

 
  "The discussion is essential to appreciating the book." by susancornelius (see profile) 02/12/08

The was a difficult book to read because of its somber subject matter. It was one of the more unusual books Ive ever read and through the discussion, I gained more appreciation of the depth of the author's writings.

 
  "This novel was a very tired, boring book." by trishamimi (see profile) 06/25/08

Seems an overused premis. It was pretty boring. I finished it just because I hate to abandon a book without giving it a chance.

 
  "A bleak grim look into the possible future" by marlat (see profile) 06/26/08

It was a quick read that left you thinking about the book for a long time. It's a "what if" scenerio.

 
  "it's depressing, but still worth discussing" by lcarbutt (see profile) 08/14/08

There is a lot of symbolism in this book so from that perspective it's good to talk about. But it's a bit depressing; if this were ever to become our reality then we all better take a crash survival course. The style of writing was very unique, yet some of the vocabulary would make even those 1600 SAT'ers ask "what does that mean?"

 
  "Story about survival." by jgerace (see profile) 11/19/08

This was one of our best book club talks. Most members liked the book. Everyone had a list of quotes from the book that they wanted to discuss. A must read for book clubs!

 
  "Beautifully written & totally mesmerizing" by julialily (see profile) 05/14/09

This post apocalyptic novel is filled with horrifying siuations & difficult subject matter. It is riveting and ultimately leaves you with a feeling of hope and an appreciation for a beautifully crafted piece of literary art. There is so much to discuss in this novel that you won't know where to begin! A great page turner that allows you to fill in what the future will hold for its character(s).

 
  "Quick read...Makes you think about life and all that's taken for granted." by Lori_Dabbondanza (see profile) 06/25/09

Dark, Dramatic, Life changing story of a man and his son's journey to survive against all odds. Very good book, would recommend for people with a strong stomach. Some very disturbing, graphic images were witnessed throughout their "journey".

 
  "the road by c mccarthy" by susanbeamon (see profile) 07/01/09

A slice of time not wished for, but believable. Very dark.

 
  "A dark and depressing road" by awolfe0503 (see profile) 08/03/09

I am not the type of person that enjoys reading books or watching movies about the end of the world or the end of civilization, which is why I tend to steer away from that particular genre. I will say that this was a very well-written book with a unique writing style that I have never seen before.

 
  "The Road by Cormac McCarthy" by bchamplin (see profile) 08/06/09

I liked this book much more than I thought I would. As I have had time to reflect back on it, I see more to like than dislike. I like the style it was written in, even though that took some getting used too. I like that YOU had to figure out for yourself what had been the "before". I know I could have not been as strong as the man and I know there are many times I would have given in to the enviroment just because that was easier than fighting the struggles. it is really a good read, but I think I might skip the movie.

 
  "The Road by Cormac McCarthy" by ezzie36330 (see profile) 08/08/09

It took me a while to get used to the writing style, but I really did like this book. It's definitely a page turner and made me see all of the little things that I take for granted everyday.

 
  "Lots of items to discuss with this book." by bmcgunag (see profile) 10/07/09

This is a book you keep thinking about long after you have read it.

 
  "Poetic, horrific and unforgettable" by tessireland (see profile) 10/15/09

this book managed to be poetic and a tale of the uncompromising love of a parent while at the same time being a horror story with frightening and graphic visions. fantastic read. unforgettable.

 
  "Great Book" by SherryK (see profile) 10/20/09

It's a great book. Although it does contain a few graphic scenes that might be too much for some people. The road is ultimately a book about hope and survival. What would you do in a postapocalyptic world?

 
  "Riveting read by a master wordsmith" by AZannie (see profile) 11/01/09

Cormac McCarthy crafts a page-turning novel that you'll be thinking about months after you've completed reading it. This prize winning novel should provide a springboard for an insightful discussion.

 
  "I felt as if I was reading a thesaurus entry for grey." by Persephone (see profile) 02/14/10

I know the author was trying to drive home just how gloomy the environment was, but it seemed that every sentence contained an adjective synonymous with "grey." I found this lack of creativity in the description very distracting, and ultimately, I could not get through the book.

 
  "The Road" by readalot2007 (see profile) 04/01/10

I bought the book on a Saturday and finished it on Tuesday evening. Did not sleep well until the book was finshed. I didn't want to finish it, I felt I had to. I will read another Cormac McCarthy book. Excellent!

 
  "The author has done a great job prortraying the atmosphere of an apocalyptical Earth" by mpaniaguatej (see profile) 04/06/10

Since word number one the sensations of death, hunger and danger are present. A father and his son in search of nothing but survival. Graphic and violent but with no excesses.

 
  "Thought Provoking" by jsullivan630 (see profile) 09/19/10

This book is one of those books in which I don't like due to the storyline but I can't seem to put down. The author is, without a doubt, a genius but the subject matter is so depressing. With that said, as long as the reader knows the storyline initially, he or she will not be let down. I found myself thinking about the book long after i read it. The book is great, a real thought provoker.

 
  "The Road" by littledb (see profile) 04/06/11

Just couldn't put it down! Cormac McCarthy draws the reader into a future of cold, dark fright. Survival. Getting the boy to Florida, that's what the dad is trying to do in a world of decay. Love for a child. NOTHING STRONGER!!!

 
  "The Road" by k_cooper (see profile) 06/18/12

 
  "perfectly written" by jillybean52264 (see profile) 11/14/12

Cormac McCarthy's writing style is absolutely perfect in this book. No extra flowery words here,sparse, very descriptive and to the point. These are dark times but this is a love story between a father and son. This book is great for discussion about life values and choices. One of the best books I have ever read, this stayed with me long after I had finished it.

 
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  "The Road" by RussPollard (see profile) 08/31/20

A father and son struggle for survival as they travel together day to day in a post-apocalyptic America that could one day become our reality. This author effectively puts you on that road with the man and boy and invokes self introspection with the most difficult of questions. How much are we simply a product of our circumstances? What would it take to break our spirit and abandon our morals? The story may not be a happy one, but ultimately I found it inspiring and believe the underlying theme to be that even in the darkest of times, good will find a way to triumph over evil.

 
  "" by mooneyk (see profile) 01/09/22

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