The Road - Cormac McCarthy

⭐ 7.5/10

(Originally written by Tim)

Probably the most bleak book I have ever read, and for whatever reason I decided to read it over vacation. This one is about a father and son struggling to survive in a burnt apocalyptic wasteland, basically trudging from one location to another in a brief hope that their lives will be better as they move south. They encounter horrors along the way, but also brief moments of respite.

This was a quick read, even with the brutal content, and I enjoyed reading it, although I am not really sure why. I also had a spark of hope that things could get better, but watching the son lose his innocence as terrible things happen and they both come closer and closer to death is pretty tough. McCarthy's writing can be difficult for me, but he writes some truly beautiful passages that paint vivid pictures that don't leave the mind quickly. I was fascinated by the horror of it all, but found it almost impossible to relate, being completely unsure of how I would behave in a world like that.

There is a movie based on this book, and I only remember one terrifying scene, and that scene was just as terrifying in the book. I'm not sure what my takeaways are here, but I am glad I read it.