The Road by Cormac McCarthy - My Own Thoughts

[sooguy]

Okay, I promised a while ago I was going to try to work out my thoughts on Cormac McCarthy's novel The Road. I am actually I glad I let some time pass before attempting this. I think its allowed me to put together a more balanced piece on it.

Let me know what you think. Be forewarned - this is a LONG review.

Comments

[geek_dragon]

Very proffessional review :)

"Literary" Science Fiction Usually Fails

[ed_rex]

Thanks for this; as geek_dragon said, that was a very professional review.

Since I haven't read the book (nor have you inspired me to do so, even if it won a Pulitzer and it stays with you more than the average novel), I'll limit my remarks.

I raise the issue since it seems to be an artefact of convenience on behalf of the author who wants to strip away any refuge of humanity (such as relatives of the pair that may have survived) in order to be able to isolate and alienate the duo. It's effective, but again its a distraction that undermines the story on some level.

This reminds me of an almost inevitable problem I've found when "literary" writers attempt science fiction (and yes, I'm thinking of Margaret Atwood in particular, but there have been others). Namely, that they blow the SF part of the book, either ignoring SFnal elements which allow the reader to suspend disbelief, or else they pile on the cliches in the mistaken belief they've stumbled on an original idea, when in fact Heinlein did it first (and better) 50 years ago.

Re: "Literary" Science Fiction Usually Fails

[sooguy]

I think I respect this book more than I should, and that was part of the reason I took so long making up my mind about it.

It frustrated me on so many levels, but in the end I had to hand it to him. Maybe he just wore me down.

I kept thinking to myself reading this novel too that there was no way this would have A) been published if it was a first time author, B) or won a Pulitzer.