"The Road" - cougarguard.com — unofficial BYU Cougars / LDS sports, football, basketball forum and message board

RockyBalboa · 01-29-2008, 03:22 PM

Upon the recommendation from many CG'ers I started this book.

It's hard to get used to McCarthys style, but I'm coming around.

Because of the style, I'm deliberately reading it slow. The guy has a gift for vivid and brooding scenery.

Jeff Lebowski · 01-29-2008, 04:51 PM

The other day I went and read some of the reviews on amazon for "The Road". It was pretty entertaining. Almost all of the early reviews are very good. And then the reviews become mixed; folks either loved it or hated it. Based on the timing and how the negative reviews are written, it is my theory that most of those reviewers are Oprah fans that went out and read the book on Oprah's recommendation. One of the reviewers called the plot too simplistic and (I am not making this up) compared McCarthy to A.A. Milne. Hilarious.

bigpiney · 01-29-2008, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockyBalboa

Upon the recommendation from many CG'ers I started this book.

It's hard to get used to McCarthys style, but I'm coming around.

Because of the style, I'm deliberately reading it slow. The guy has a gift for vivid and brooding scenery.

I too read it because of all the recommendations. It was good, not great.

I am reluctant to read more by him, but maybe in the future I will consider it.

creekster · 01-29-2008, 05:20 PM

I had a few hours to kill on a business trip a few weeks ago and wandered into a Barnes and Noble, found this book, sat down in the in-house cafe and started reading. It was pretty good, and very engaging. I got through about 1/2 or more of it. I liked it enough that I sat and read. Otoh, I have never gone back to finish it.

Surfah · 01-29-2008, 05:29 PM

The Road is a great book. I love the morality in the story. McCarthy has his own style for sure but he's the greatest living writer in my opinion and one of the best of the 20th century.

You should give his other stuff a chance. If you're not familiar with his work you'd be surprised at the titles you'd recognize.

Also read on a blog that The Road is being adapted for film with Viggo Mortensen as the lead. Expected out next year or '09. That would be epic.

Blood Meridian is also supposed to be set for film with Ridley Scott directing.

RockyBalboa · 02-04-2008, 10:29 PM

I finished "The Road" over the weekend and just returned it to the library.

While I'm still not sure I like McCarthys style, it's impossible to discount the haunting visions he seems to easily create and make stick in your mind.

Does everything the guy write come across just as dark, daunting and bleak?

I ask because it's the only book of his I've read.

After having a copy of "David O. McKay & The Rise of Modern Mormonism" since June, I'm finally cracking that open as my next read.

SeattleUte · 02-04-2008, 10:37 PM

I don't get how anyone could not love McCarthy and particularly the Road. Just goes to show you.

Lebowski, I think you're right. I don't think even Oprah knew what she was doing when she selected that book.

RockyBalboa · 02-04-2008, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeattleUte

I don't get how anyone could not love McCarthy and particularly the Road. Just goes to show you.

Lebowski, I think you're right. I don't think even Oprah knew what she was doing when she selected that book.

His bizarre style takes some getting used to.

Archaea · 02-04-2008, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockyBalboa

His bizarre style takes some getting used to.

Why do you call his style bizarre?

I find it slow at times, but can generally give it a thumbs up. Not saying you are disagreeing, but what's "bizarre" about his style?

8ballrollin · 02-04-2008, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Archaea

Why do you call his style bizarre?

I find it slow at times, but can generally give it a thumbs up. Not saying you are disagreeing, but what's "bizarre" about his style?

It's probably his lack of punctuation - specifically an absence of quotation marks. Just a guess.

01-29-2008, 03:22 PM	#1
RockyBalboa Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 7,297	"The Road" Upon the recommendation from many CG'ers I started this book. It's hard to get used to McCarthys style, but I'm coming around. Because of the style, I'm deliberately reading it slow. The guy has a gift for vivid and brooding scenery. __________________ Masquerading as Cougarguards very own genius dumbass since 05'.

01-29-2008, 04:51 PM	#2
Jeff Lebowski Charon Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: In the heart of darkness (Provo) Posts: 9,564	The other day I went and read some of the reviews on amazon for "The Road". It was pretty entertaining. Almost all of the early reviews are very good. And then the reviews become mixed; folks either loved it or hated it. Based on the timing and how the negative reviews are written, it is my theory that most of those reviewers are Oprah fans that went out and read the book on Oprah's recommendation. One of the reviewers called the plot too simplistic and (I am not making this up) compared McCarthy to A.A. Milne. Hilarious. __________________ "... the arc of the universe is long but it bends toward justice." Martin Luther King, Jr.

01-29-2008, 05:20 PM	#4
creekster Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: the far corner of my mind Posts: 8,711	I had a few hours to kill on a business trip a few weeks ago and wandered into a Barnes and Noble, found this book, sat down in the in-house cafe and started reading. It was pretty good, and very engaging. I got through about 1/2 or more of it. I liked it enough that I sat and read. Otoh, I have never gone back to finish it. __________________ Sorry for th e tpyos.

01-29-2008, 05:29 PM	#5
Surfah Master Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: F'burg, VA Posts: 3,211	The Road is a great book. I love the morality in the story. McCarthy has his own style for sure but he's the greatest living writer in my opinion and one of the best of the 20th century. You should give his other stuff a chance. If you're not familiar with his work you'd be surprised at the titles you'd recognize. Also read on a blog that The Road is being adapted for film with Viggo Mortensen as the lead. Expected out next year or '09. That would be epic. Blood Meridian is also supposed to be set for film with Ridley Scott directing. __________________ Ernie Johnson: "Auburn is a pretty good school. To graduate from there I suppose you really need to work hard and put forth maximum effort." Charles Barkley: "20 pts and 10 rebounds will get you through also!"

02-04-2008, 10:29 PM	#6
RockyBalboa Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 7,297	I finished "The Road" over the weekend and just returned it to the library. While I'm still not sure I like McCarthys style, it's impossible to discount the haunting visions he seems to easily create and make stick in your mind. Does everything the guy write come across just as dark, daunting and bleak? I ask because it's the only book of his I've read. After having a copy of "David O. McKay & The Rise of Modern Mormonism" since June, I'm finally cracking that open as my next read. __________________ Masquerading as Cougarguards very own genius dumbass since 05'.

02-04-2008, 10:37 PM	#7
SeattleUte fairlds.org Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 10,665	I don't get how anyone could not love McCarthy and particularly the Road. Just goes to show you. Lebowski, I think you're right. I don't think even Oprah knew what she was doing when she selected that book. __________________ Interrupt all you like. We're involved in a complicated story here, and not everything is quite what it seems to be. —Paul Auster