"The Road" by Cormac McCarthy

Status
Not open for further replies.

Neo-Luddite

Member
Joined
Sep 13, 2006
Messages
3,257
Location
Northwest IL--the other 'Downstate'
Just finished the book and needed to chime in to endorse it. Well worth the time to read. It is Oprah's current book club choice--DO NOT pre-judge based on that fact. It easily ranks as one of the best dystopian novels of American authorship and will open the eyes to the nature of RKBA as a human right to those not already convinced. Well worth everyones time in my book for reasons that will be very apparent in just a few pages of reading.
 
His gun knowledge is not bad for a novelist--evidenced by the 'can I re-load/make .38' from a box of .45 ACP? I had the thought and he bothered to have the man think along those lines and curse himself for not saving his brass.

It is dark and won't be to everyone's taste--that's his style.
 
I liked it, and found his descriptions of the world and the predatory people chilling. He is considered one of the greatest novelests of the latter 20th century. You should also try "Blood Meridian" - perhaps his best work.

I, too was frustrated by the main character's inability to fabricate reloads. The message of the novel - HAVE MORE AMMO!

It is fairly evident that McCarthy has no personal knowledge of survival, guns, or children.

Well, that was sort of the point. Just an average guy trying to survive with his son. Maybe he didn't read enough EOTWAWKI threads on THR.
 
I also read it before it was an Oprah book. I didn't know what to say after I read it, just hug my family and pray I never experience that. Given the carnage and state of facts in the world today, the journey the main character experienced isn't completely unrealistic. I did not take it as a Pro-RKBA book, but how if anything a "gun" is a "tool" that was to be used for personal protection. It is a good read, without a doubt. I want to read Blood Merridian, and All the Wild Horses. The Road-recommended. Mike
 
I just finished reading it tonight, in fact. My wife is borrowing it next. I liked the book a lot and wished it was longer.

It is fairly evident that McCarthy has no personal knowledge of survival, guns, or children.

Well, that was sort of the point. Just an average guy trying to survive with his son. Maybe he didn't read enough EOTWAWKI threads on THR.

And actually I thought he had a solid understanding of firearms. In the book he describes a character checking the cylinder rotation on the revolver to make sure his only live round is the next one.
 
Re-reading early work by him now from '69 'Outer Dark'. Oddly similar in tone. I bought it as a kid for a dime at a yard sale. I was an odd ten year old and things have only gotten weirder in the last couple of decades.

Makes you hold your kids tight and pray more often, that's for sure.
 
If you are the sensitive type, reading "Blood Meridian" is a rather traumatic experience.
THE most violent novel I've ever read.
Very instructive on the dark side of humanity. Something that must be investigated and understood.
I'll try to read one of his more gentler works.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top