Re: The Road (with some spoilers)
Not that I didn't like it , I just wouldn't put it in say the 'Books you would recommend'
as I would No Country.
Just saw No Country the movie the other night and enjoyed alot
but somehow did prefer the book, more deliberate and deeper impact.
Thinking about it now, having the father and son out there on the road ,
not really knowing where they were going or really where they came from was not as engaging as I had hoped.
Imo, it was best when there was something to focus on,
they find the stash of goods in the shelter, father swims out to the boat, their stuff is taken.
Otherwise the 'ash' was major character compared to the two leads -
'shoals of ash' , ' Wind in the east. The soft ash moving in the furrows', trails of ash on the road.
Wanted to know more of what happened . what got them to that state.
After other 'our world has ended' heart and brain breakers like Riddley Walker ,
the sadness of the ruined country in say, Mockingbird or even Oryx and Crake ,
this seemed like a bit of a gloss on close to same subjects.
Having said that , it is a surprising follow up to No Country in that for mainstream lit not very many would go this hopeless dark.
Our Dystopians partner said the other night he was wishing that instead of the ending we get,
he was wishing the boy would have up and ate his father (!)
- then head back out ...