Jayson's Reviews > The Road

I've been wanting to read this for awhile. Hopefully in the new year :) I'm glad you liked it!

Deanna wrote: "I've been wanting to read this for awhile. Hopefully in the new year :) I'm glad you liked it!"

Thanks! This isn't the sort of book that I'd normally read, but I'm very glad I did because it's magnificently written and McCarthy's undeniably a master of the craft.

Hmmmm...that's what I was worried about. It didn't seem like much would be going on...not sure if I will be reading this 😩😩

Meagan wrote: "Hmmmm...that's what I was worried about. It didn't seem like much would be going on...not sure if I will be reading this 😩😩"

Yeah, this isn't exactly a book to read if you’re looking for twists and turns. Not much really happens. It more lives and breathes on the quality of the prose.

I'll probably put this on my "maybe" list then.

Meagan wrote: "I'll probably put this on my "maybe" list then."

Reasonable decision. You never know whether you'll be up for something like this in the future.

Jayson, I have this on my TBR shelf, but something tells me I won't be reading it anytime soon.

LaDonna wrote: "Jayson, I have this on my TBR shelf, but something tells me I won't be reading it anytime soon."

Yeah, it's definitely not for everyone. We all have different tastes and things we look for in books, and this one especially is a book people are either hot or cold about.

I've been meaning to read this forever. I'm still not sure if it'll be my thing.

Oddly I think just about the same but gave it half your rate. Go figure.

Caitlin wrote: "I've been meaning to read this forever. I'm still not sure if it'll be my thing."

Yeah, this seems to be on a lot of people's long-term TBR list. I don't know if this is the kind of book in style and genre that can generate enough enthusiasm to live up to its hype. Literary fiction usually doesn't break into the mainstream, and frankly I think the only real reason a lot of people know this exists is because Oprah touted it so much.

Frédéric wrote: "Oddly I think just about the same but gave it half your rate. Go figure."

I think that just shows that people can be aware of the same things but weigh them differently. I think I may have been affected more by the style and quality of prose, enough so to tip the balance against its flaws.

Jayson wrote: "Caitlin wrote: "I've been meaning to read this forever. I'm still not sure if it'll be my thing."

Yeah, this seems to be on a lot of people's long-term TBR list. I don't know if this is the kind o..."

It always seemed like it could be a really good story but I've been unsure of his writing style. I could either love it or hate it and with so many books to read, it's just never been at the top of my list. I'll have to get around to it soon.

Caitlin wrote: "Jayson wrote: "Caitlin wrote: "I've been meaning to read this forever. I'm still not sure if it'll be my thing."

Yeah, this seems to be on a lot of people's long-term TBR list. I don't know if thi..."

The style's not going to be for everyone, that's for sure, and I can totally see this being the sort of book that if people don't make it a priority to read that it will continually be superseded by others ad infinitum.

Foti wrote: "This is the most accurate review I’ve ever read. I just finished reading this and I agree with everything you say."

Thanks a lot, Foti! That's nice of you to say. I'm glad to know we're of like minds about this 😃👍

I think you summed up in one sentence how I feel about this book. Fantastic review, Jayson.

Jennifer (Jen/The Tolkien Gal) wrote: "I think you summed up in one sentence how I feel about this book. Fantastic review, Jayson."

Thank you very much, Jen! I appreciate it :)

"There is no God and we are his prophets."

Aubrey wrote: ""There is no God and we are his prophets.""

Certainly one of its many simple yet weighty lines :)

Jayson wrote: "Aubrey wrote: ""There is no God and we are his prophets.""

Certainly one of its many simple yet weighty lines :)"

I also thought the movie adaptation was done well. Did you see it?

I have this already on my tbr. Honestly I’m not sure why. Hmm. That’s a thinker.

Aubrey wrote: "I also thought the movie adaptation was done well. Did you see it?"

No, I'm afraid I haven't seen the movie yet. I should do that one of these days. It seems like something I'd enjoy :)

Shaina wrote: "I have this already on my tbr. Honestly I’m not sure why. Hmm. That’s a thinker."

I'm not surprised. It's a well-known book with a lot of buzz and a broad appeal: to literary types, sci-fi fans, film goers, Oprah watchers, etc. It’s on a lot of reader’s radars.

It’s just odd that I don’t recall it. lol.

Jayson, what did you think of Cormac's lack of quotation marks in dialogue?

Shaina wrote: "It’s just odd that I don’t recall it. lol."

Could be you did it in your sleep, like sleep-walking or sleep-eating. Sleep-TBRing could be just as deadly. Alternatively you could have been ensorcelled by Oprah... such is her power :)

Your reveiws are always high in detail, you know that Jason?

Aubrey wrote: "Jayson, what did you think of Cormac's lack of quotation marks in dialogue?"

Can't say I have too much of an opinion of it. It was noticeable, but it didn't bother me and I got used to it. It was sort of like how the Bible doesn't use quotation marks, except for certain modern translations. Maybe I'm used to it from that. Perhaps that was an intentional stylistic allusion? I'm not familiar with McCarthy's work outside of this to say for sure.

I've read his other book too called Blood Meridian. Also very good. McCarthy claims quotation marks are "unnecessary" but I know people hate the fact he doesn't use them. Didn't bother me though.

Solomon wrote: "Your reveiws are always high in detail, you know that Jason?"

Thanks, Solomon. I don't know if they're too detailed. Some of them are. But I'd say they're more specific and precise. I try to hit the major beats and say it in an interesting way.

Aubrey wrote: "I've read his other book too called Blood Meridian. Also very good. McCarthy claims quotation marks are "unnecessary" but I know people hate the fact he doesn't use them. Didn't bother me though."

Well, I guess they're necessary only inasmuch as you expect them or are used to them. So long as it's clear who's talking, I don't see the lack of quotation marks as any sort of hindrance to enjoying a book.

I read this years ago and very quickly. But I would argue that the simplistic dialogue contributes to the dreamy feeling of it all, in a good way.

Lori wrote: "I read this years ago and very quickly. But I would argue that the simplistic dialogue contributes to the dreamy feeling of it all, in a good way."

That's a good point, Lori. I'd agree with that. There's something about stylized dialogue that gives off a not-quite-right vibe. The atmosphere and dialogue are the best parts of it, so that they go hand in hand isn't surprising.

JV wrote: "A fantastic review, Jayson! Can't wait to read this one 😊"

Thank you very much, JV! Hope you enjoy it :)

I'd say this, along with No Country, is a good place to start with Cormac.

Britton wrote: "I'd say this, along with No Country, is a good place to start with Cormac."

Possibly. They're his two most famous novels, and due to the films likely the easiest to approach.

There’s also Child of God, that is, if you can stomach the depravity.

Britton wrote: "There’s also Child of God, that is, if you can stomach the depravity."

Thanks for the recommendation.

Good book

Glad you liked it. Cormac is really not my style.

Sarah wrote: "Good book"

Yes, I think so too :)

NAT.orious reads ☽ wrote: "Glad you liked it. Cormac is really not my style."

Thanks, Nat! I agree, he's not really my style either. Though I do really respect and appreciate his skill as a writer.

That's true it's very unique and has its own taste to it :)

NAT.orious reads ☽ wrote: "That's true it's very unique and has its own taste to it :)"

Yes, and I'm sure that style feeds an avid audience and a good deal of admirers as well.

More nightmarish than dreamlike in my perception, but a truly harrowing read indeed!

Henk wrote: "More nightmarish than dreamlike in my perception, but a truly harrowing read indeed!"

Well, mileage may vary. I stand by dreamlike. I suppose I meant more the quality and effect of pace and prose on the narrative than specific elements of plot. But, it's not too far apart in any case :)

Need to bump this up on my to read list

April wrote: "Need to bump this up on my to read list"

Happy I could get it back on your radar, April 😁👍

Cheryl wrote: "I definitely agree with the genius dialogue. But the way it's written just bugs me to no end"

I can see that. It's definitely not for everyone.

"with dialogue that's often genius"
lol, how?