McCarthy has created an unforgettable post apocalyptic world where a father and his son are on a journey with one purpose. They are merely attempting to exist. Pitifully hopeless, the duo is forced to continue a desperate trek in search of basic necessities. The boy, innocent, yet perceptive and the father, driven by the need to protect his son, proves to be an admirable combination. They spend each day rummaging through deserted houses and abandoned stores looking for fuel and sustenance. Nights become a seemingly unending time of anxiety and waiting. The cold is worse than unbearable but to light a fire would be a far greater risk, as the desperate times have led others to pillaging and unimaginative acts of cannibalism in an effort to survive. Their drifting continues along desolate terrain, ashen and barren streets, and deserted property where optimism has become extinct.

McCarthy creates an utterly memorable relationship between the two central characters. It is a beautiful bond accurately capturing the turmoil of a father concerned with the welfare of his child. The vivid setting is captivating in it's authentic interpretation of a world completely devoid of civilized life. McCarthy has created an exceptional read we can only hope will never occur. The magnitude of The Road is an intense account of determination and survival you must read.


Review By Erin Gurry
Rating: 4 out of 5