Cormac McCarthy is among one of the few fictional authors to write about post-apocalyptic society, but to my amazement I actually enjoyed reading this book.

As an AS English literature student, I study a number of pieces for my summer exam- this being one of them. On first impressions, the book kind of took me aback with it's depressive nature, but due to the fact that I had to, I read it anyway :) Immediately, it is clear that McCarthy's style is overtly different to those of modern authors, using only compound sentences and a mere comma now and again- McCarthy stated in an interview with Oprah that he doesn't like to clog up the page with "weird little marks". However, this is quite a difficult style to get used to, and as a reader, it put me off a bit as I was reluctant to read it in the beginning and this layout just confused me too much! You do get used to it after the first hundred pages, oh, and the book doesn't have chapters! I know, bombshell moment... It just simply flows, however I felt this just reflected McCarthy's craft as a writer as it emphasizes the 'anything goes' structure of society, and it's mess up after the unspecified cataclysmic event which shattered mankind.

The story follows mainly two characters: The Man and The Boy. The man is in charge of making sure the boy is safe and that they get to the coast ( their destination in the novel) where they plan to find others and settle. The characters travel both a literal and metaphorical road, in the sense that they need to get to the coast and the way they develop as people throughout the expedition. McCarthy is clever as he doesn't state what the disaster is, allowing the reader to interpret it for themselves. For me, it made me wonder whether it was a man-made disaster, the effects of capitalism resulting in an outbreak of war and or nuclear bombing?

As the book progresses, the relationship between the man and the boy is increasingly highlighted by McCarthy as the last important thing in the world, clearly acting as the most beautiful thing the world holds, and that nothing can revoke love or blow up an innate bond between father and son.
I just love the fact that this book stands for everything I believe in, and was the main reason I ended up being gripped to it for three days. The questions raised from The Road are that it could be people's nature that maybe one day will cause society to ruin, acting as a cautionary tale and a father/son love story. For those of you who are afraid to leave their comfort zones when it comes to literature please burst that metaphorical bubble and read The Road, you will be pleasantly surprised! I took a lot away from this story, it taught me to respect and love my family, as it is unclear what tomorrow will bring. Even Oprah herself has said this book is great, and odds are she was paid to say it, but the principles there I think! ;)

5 Dooyoo stars from me, a relatively quick read and so much thought put in by the author to create such a masterpiece. I bought my copy on Amazon for £4.99 about four months ago. I still have a quick read of it now and again, obviously for revision purposes, but because I love entering the world of post-apocalyptic horror, and also the strong loving vibe that the story gives off. I think it is good value for money and a story you will hold in your hearts forever! Thank you for reading.... Pinky Xxx