Cormac McCarthy's, The Road

We read Cormac McCarthy's "The Road" this month and discussed it last night. Without too much debate we gave a 4 out of 5 m&m rating... that puts it right up on our list next to Hosseini's "A Thousand Splendid Suns."

We agree it was a difficult story to read, but it's strengths came with all of the emotion that was inspired. We were supposing what might have happened to the planet and discussed how not knowing affected the story, Jaime said it best that it was the "art of the book" to not know, because in that situation, with that much devastation you may never know. Not knowing allowed you to relate to the characters a bit more, in this unbelieveable situation.

This is one of those books that it's hard to say, "Hey, want a great book to read? Pick up 'The Road.'" People who read for pure feel-good entertainment may look at you like a crazy person after reading the first 30 pages at your recommendation. There are some gruesome scenes, not for the faint of heart, but getting through those parts makes you appreciate the rest. I found myself thinking about this book for days, I know I wasn't the only one. Books like this, that 'stick to you' in some ways are the best.

It will be a movie later this year, and I am not sure I want to see it. I might out of curiousity, but, like the book it won't be a pleasant experience to sit through, I'm sure. I watched a couple of the trailors, the music seemed a bit more inspriational than I expected, I guess that is the Hollywood spin on this.