The Road Review
What does a book expert think: Get a comprehensive overview of the reception and review of The Road.
Article written by Emma Baldwin
B.A. in English, B.F.A. in Fine Art, and B.A. in Art Histories from East Carolina University.
The Road follows two main characters, a father and his son, over a period of months as they travel through the decimated landscape of what used to be the United States. Barren of resources, facilities, food, and general humanity, the world is a dangerous and poisonous place.
Key Facts about The Road
- Title: The Road
- When/where written: Texas, Ireland, and Mexico
- Published: 2006
- Literary Period: Contemporary American Literature
- Genre: Science Fiction, Horror, Post-Apocalyptic Fiction
- Point-of-View: Third person limited, sometimes first person
- Setting: Post-apocalyptic America
- Climax: The man’s death
- Antagonist: The world and everyone living in it
Cormac McCarthy and The Road
Cormac McCarthy was born in July of 1933 in Providence, Rhode Island. He studied creative writing at the University of Tennessee for a period of time before twice dropping out. His first novel, The Orchard Keeper, was published in 1965. To this day, McCarthy has written ten novels, including The Road, No Country for Old Men, and Blood Meridian. Throughout his career, he’s won a MacArthur Fellowship, the National Book Award, and the Pulitzer Prize.
When speaking about The Road today, McCarthy recalls spending time in El Paso Texas with his son and considering what the world would look like with “fires up on the hill and everything being laid to waste.” He was loosely inspired by his relationship with his own son when penning this novel.
Books Related to The Road
For readers who enjoyed The Road, there are many other novels that depict similar themes and settings. The Stand by Stephen King and The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood both depict future worlds where the United States is unrecognizable. The setting of The Stand is perhaps the closest to The Road. Atwood’s Oryx and Crake is another good example.
It’s also worth mentioning 1984 by George Orwell and Brave New World by Aldous Huxley as examples of dystopian novels. Contemporary books like Justin Cronin’s The Passage and Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel are also related to The Road. Readers might also find themselves noting similarities between McCarthy’s writing and that of William Faulkner. Novels like The Sound of Fury and As I Lay Dying are great examples of his work.
The Lasting Impact of The Road
The Road is enjoyed by readers around the world to this day. The book is studied in schools and read for pleasure. The novel’s setting and underlying themes have inspired many readers to interpret the book as a warning against the dangers of climate change and pollution, citing the disastrous conditions depicted in the novel. The world might, if it continues on the same path, end up in a similar state. Men and women may find themselves filling the role of “the man” in The Road. There are some religious themes scattered throughout the novel too, inspiring some readers to interpret Christian meaning to the text.
The Road was adapted into a major film, starring Viggo Mortensen in 2009. This broadened the novel’s readership.
The Road Historical Context
Setting the scene for The Road: Understand the time and place that inspired its creation and relevance.
Best Quotes from The Road
The words that resonate: Find memorable quotes from The Road that capture its essence of the book.
The Road Themes and Analysis
Unlock the hidden meanings: Dive deeper into the central themes and symbolism, and analysis of The Road.
The Road Character List
Get to know the characters: Understand the characters in The Road.
The Road Plot Summary
The Road in a nutshell: A quick overview of the essential plot points, characters, and ideas.
About Emma Baldwin
B.A. in English, B.F.A. in Fine Art, and B.A. in Art Histories from East Carolina University.