Yeah, right. At first I was like ‘what? Is that all?’ ? Then I started thinking maybe that’s how the life goes. No matter how the current situation is terrible, we have no choice but to keep going.
Yes, like Siri Russell commented, bleak, bleak, bleak. No melancholy and there is nothing romantic in the sadness. I believe there is value to his writing. You just have to brace yourself to face images of deep, deeeeep depravity that is dropped upon you with no warning. It is tough material.
So beautifully written. It definitely causes one to see life in a different perspective. I can’t imagine most of us attempting to survive such a reality.
I agree. I saved it to read with my brother, but got tired of waiting (3 years). I finally read it and didn’t like the style or the content. I looked up other people’s ideas about the ending because it didn’t make sense to me.
It’s probably the best book I’ve ever read due to the incredible writing skill of the author, but for years after I wished I’d never read it. When you write that well, and go that dark, it’s eviscerating.
I know why I didn’t, it was for a book club. I had already been recommended the book by a friend and decided I didn’t want to read it as it looked way too grim for me! The book club was actually a paid college course (of sorts) that in truth was a glorified book club (no reports to write or grades, this was something I took when I was looking for a book club and couldn’t find one nearby). I’d paid for the “class,” so I read that book when it was assigned. And sobbed for a long time when I finished. And had flashbacks for a few years after, where some horror from the book would come to mind unbidden. Damn, that man can write. And I will never read his work again.
Profound though. I’ve had depressing reads that didn’t do anything but depress me. Still, later I was like “they made a movie of that? Why would anyone go see it? Either they read the book and sure won’t, or they didn’t and it’s gonna be worse than ‘Million Dollar Baby’ or ‘Dancer in the Dark’ and who wants to pay money to be depressed?” Mind you I didn’t see the movie.
Wow, after a quick read of previous comments depressing and well written are recurring conclusions. I have the book but have not read it yet. Now I will read it: I love well written books as much as I detest badly written ones. The sun is shinning, it is gonna be warm here, I shall go out and read it today ?
I too read it in one sitting and definitely think, when emotionally ready, that I ought to revisit it and read more thoroughly. Did you have a different take upon reread?
Yes with the reread I focused more on how the totally stripped down existence left us with the poignant interactions between the father and son. How are parents love is so strong that even with nothing , with no hope he has the strength to find a new beginning. I found the simple way they communicated touching.
@Kymallia your take on this makes me think I should reread…I may give it another try to see if I can pick up on the love/Hope element. Thanks for sharing this thought!
Yes it is very depressing book but a good read. It was the first book I chose for the book club I joined (years ago) and I was worried they wouldn’t ask me back! LOL! But it ended up being an amazing discussion!
Soooo depressing. I’ve quit reading Cormac McCarthy. I read All the Pretty Horses and then The Road. So I tried No Country for Old Men. Couldn’t do it. Threw in the towel.
I love Mcarthy and I don’t know why. I have read everthing he has written and I am far from a “dark” person. I think his writing reads like prose. It is like haunting music. As disturbing as his stories are they do leave me thinking. His writing makes you explore the darker side of humanity.
I know ?the movie too?
Yeah. Someone told me all about the movie. That was enough to keep me from picking the book up. 🙁
I kept assuming like eventually something good will happen right? Nope. Nothing and it ends so abruptly.
Yeah, right. At first I was like ‘what? Is that all?’ ? Then I started thinking maybe that’s how the life goes. No matter how the current situation is terrible, we have no choice but to keep going.
Cormac McCarthy reads are always depressing ?
I wont be trying anymore. Seriously i feel like i wasted my time. Like a read all this for nothing.
These descriptions have made curious; I think I will give it a try.
I hadn’t heard of the book until now, I have an honest weakness for sad endings.
@Ale it’s not so much a “sad” ending as it’s just bleak. A bleak book. Wonderfully written, but I probably would not read it again.
Yes, like Siri Russell commented, bleak, bleak, bleak. No melancholy and there is nothing romantic in the sadness. I believe there is value to his writing. You just have to brace yourself to face images of deep, deeeeep depravity that is dropped upon you with no warning. It is tough material.
This is one of my absolute favorite books. Loved it so much and it stayed with me for some time.
Me too!!
Can’t say it was a favorite. It did stick with me if even if it was in a creepy stomach turning way. So heavy.
Agreed. Not uplifting by any means but it completely enveloped me and and stayed with me for some time. I like a book that has an impact.
One of my favourites too
A great book. What is shared by the father to the son under extreme conditions is basic humanity.
Loved the book. Finally convinced my husband to read it and he liked it, but was hoping for a different ending.
Very depressing
Yes…a real downer, but I loved the book.
Fantastic book. True it’s not a light read … heavy, like the air in the story, powerful and a story of love
So beautifully written. It definitely causes one to see life in a different perspective. I can’t imagine most of us attempting to survive such a reality.
Yes, it isn’t a feel good book!
Yes
Read it years ago and it is still with me. Big impact.
Wasnt a bad book that wasnt what o ment just that it was depressing
A depressing book but a great read…
Read Blood Meridian and Child of God… also very depressing
I think im gonna pass on the depressing stuff for a while
I thought Blood Meridian was one of the most difficult and best books I’ve ever read.
I am haunted by the little I read of Blood Meridian but really want to finish it. The Road is so bleak and immersive – such great writing.
yes yes but i still think about it
Im def done with the depressing stuff for now lol
That’s for sure.
I just started it…
Don’t tell me that, I’m halfway through All the Pretty Horses, his other book and it is a little depressing so far.
Ive read a lot of his books and I’m yet to read a light / happy one yet ??
Super depressing. Beautifully written though. And it makes you think.
omg the movie soundtrack is lovely
Beautiful writing but very dark.
I agree. I saved it to read with my brother, but got tired of waiting (3 years). I finally read it and didn’t like the style or the content. I looked up other people’s ideas about the ending because it didn’t make sense to me.
The ending was abrupt to me. Im like soooooooo he just left with some strangers… There still isnt any dang food.
Still no dang food…hahahah
OMG so over the top depressing
lol truth.
I didn’t finish it. I read a spoiler and realized the story wasn’t going to get better so I cut my losses. Brilliant writing but horrible story.
It’s probably the best book I’ve ever read due to the incredible writing skill of the author, but for years after I wished I’d never read it. When you write that well, and go that dark, it’s eviscerating.
Absolutely. I don’t know why I didn’t stop before I read the entire book.
I know why I didn’t, it was for a book club. I had already been recommended the book by a friend and decided I didn’t want to read it as it looked way too grim for me! The book club was actually a paid college course (of sorts) that in truth was a glorified book club (no reports to write or grades, this was something I took when I was looking for a book club and couldn’t find one nearby). I’d paid for the “class,” so I read that book when it was assigned. And sobbed for a long time when I finished. And had flashbacks for a few years after, where some horror from the book would come to mind unbidden. Damn, that man can write. And I will never read his work again.
Profound though. I’ve had depressing reads that didn’t do anything but depress me.
Still, later I was like “they made a movie of that? Why would anyone go see it? Either they read the book and sure won’t, or they didn’t and it’s gonna be worse than ‘Million Dollar Baby’ or ‘Dancer in the Dark’ and who wants to pay money to be depressed?”
Mind you I didn’t see the movie.
Stopped the movie halfway through. It was depressing enough in my own mind…
The movie is grim (of course) but very good.
It was
It certainly was!
I read it newly post partum. That was a terrible idea.
One of my all-time favorites. So so good.
One of my favourites too
Indeed
Wow, after a quick read of previous comments depressing and well written are recurring conclusions. I have the book but have not read it yet. Now I will read it: I love well written books as much as I detest badly written ones. The sun is shinning, it is gonna be warm here, I shall go out and read it today ?
Its definitely well written or i wouldn’t have finished it. But its so freaking sad
One of my favorites
I started it. After a few pages I decided it wasn’t for me. I don’t understand how an author can write a depressing book.
loved it, but yes, sad.
I love the book so much I stayed up all night and read it . Then picked it up again the next morning and re read it slowly
I too read it in one sitting and definitely think, when emotionally ready, that I ought to revisit it and read more thoroughly. Did you have a different take upon reread?
Yes with the reread I focused more on how the totally stripped down existence left us with the poignant interactions between the father and son. How are parents love is so strong that even with nothing , with no hope he has the strength to find a new beginning. I found the simple way they communicated touching.
@Kymallia your take on this makes me think I should reread…I may give it another try to see if I can pick up on the love/Hope element. Thanks for sharing this thought!
I made the mistake of reading it a month after my Dad passed away. I loved it, but the timing wasn’t the best.
Relentless but good. Wouldn’t read it again.
It is. But it still haunts me years after I read it.
Yup! My sentiments exactly
Yes it is very depressing book but a good read. It was the first book I chose for the book club I joined (years ago) and I was worried they wouldn’t ask me back! LOL! But it ended up being an amazing discussion!
One of the best books I have read.
I didn’t like it.
read Snow Child talk about depressing
Yes. Very depressing.
The nature of the beast- dystopian novels
Amazing book. He is very talented.
Try Child of God… if you like depressing… and sick. But Blood Meridian was prolific! Violent, but prolific
Loved it!
I didn’t get it. I read the whole thing and when I finished I just shook my head.
?That sure sums it up. (The Road)
Very depressing but very thought provoking!
Yes, but there is beauty in that pain.
Thanks for the warning
Absolutely the most depressing book I ever read. Gloom, doom and despair everywhere. Definitely not a road I ever want to travel again
Harsh yes. Theme is similar to one of my faves, Life of Pi. You have two options in life: keep on the journey or die.
Great book and the movie was excellent
Soooo depressing. I’ve quit reading Cormac McCarthy. I read All the Pretty Horses and then The Road. So I tried No Country for Old Men. Couldn’t do it. Threw in the towel.
I have also read those three of McCarthy’s, and maybe another. I think he is a wonderful writer. Not light, but so powerful.
Well it is a novel that takes place in a post-apocalyptic setting.
I just loved that book. Read it twice. Can’t even say what drew me to it. It was both sad and beautiful.
Oh, yes it was.
Totally and the movie was also.
Agreed
So depressing. But so good. Movie was good too, in my opinion ?
I love Mcarthy and I don’t know why. I have read everthing he has written and I am far from a “dark” person. I think his writing reads like prose. It is like haunting music. As disturbing as his stories are they do leave me thinking. His writing makes you explore the darker side of humanity.
Perfect metaphor ” like haunting music ” love it
I loved it, but it made me really sad and it made me think about what I would do in that situation. Powerful.
Yep. I was a bookseller for years. Knew this so — passed!!