The Road
As a Texan I have long been interested in the work of Cormac McCarthy. I recently finished this novel and will now encourage friends to start with The Road if they intend to dive into McCarthy for the first time. Here's a brief, non-insightful snippet I wrote for my new Shelfari page. (Incidentally, you should all sign up for a free Shelfari account and add me as a friend so that I can read your book recommendations.)"Dark and apocalyptic as usual, this novel is also Cormac McCarthy's most personal and moving. I loved my children more when I finished. Up there with All The Pretty Horses as his best work to date that I've read."As another argument for the use of Shelfari, I immediately received this interesting note from one "DonnaA" in response to my post on The Road: "I read your note on THE ROAD and found it insightful. Think about this: CM [Cormac McCarthy] is an elderly literature professor with a 7 year old son. He has written many books that leave the reader with no hope for the future. This is not one of them. The ending of this book is hopeful. Compare it to the last paragraphs of GATSBY. Both speak to the possibilities of time: that goodness has a chance. The boy is an allegorical figure not for the sacrificed Christ, but for the teaching and leading Christ. The allusions are overwhelming. He was anointed, he carried the fire, he was the good guy, he had the breath of God, he came out on the third day, he was responsible for all men. No literature professor would do this without intending to do it. I find it amazing that someone that has written as much darkness as CM still sees hope for this world...and that he sees it through love and goodness." An interesting take at any rate, and a reason to hope for some benefit from my new Shelfari account. Happy reading!
Your book sounds really interesting. I'll check it out! I am also on Shelfari. Add me - schaufferwaffer -
Posted by
danny |
4:28 PM
well that's interesting. I didn't really think of his character in that way, but I can see the connections. Good stuff.
Posted by
jsa |
8:27 AM