I have been wanting to read this book. Per your post, I will get it tomorrow.

This was an absolutely incredible book. As the previous poster wrote I felt a myriad of emotions. At times I was scared, repulsed and at other times I was sad and joyous. The ending was what I expected yet it still affected me deeply. At first I cried and then I thought about the amazing capacity of people to be hopeful despit all odds

The first book in a long time to cause me to literally weep - I had started it a while ago, but the dark nature of it forced me to put it down for a while. I picked it back up last week & finished it this weekend.

One thing I was forced to admit to myself - humans really are capable of both tremendously selfless & selfish acts - there are no boundaries...

This was one of the most moving books I have ever read. I agree, the ending was exactly what I expected but, I too cried. Human nature is one amazing thing and it isi exposed at it's deepest level in this novel. A must read.

I read this powerful, yet disturbing, novel over the summer. I have had an ongoing argument with my grandmother about the last chapter and whether the ending is hopeless or hopeful. Any thoughts about this or maybe someone knows what the author's intent was per some interview or review? Any information would be appreciated!

I read this book a month ago on vacation (not my typical vacation book) and I would have to say that I found it to be deeply unsettling. It was given to me by a person who wasn't even able to finish it. I, on the other hand, was absolutely unable to put it down and finished reading it in a day. To this day, I am unable to get some of the visions out of my head and this book has left a lasting impression of sadness that the world could one day become this way. It is rare that a book would influence me this way but with two young children, I can't help but wonder what I would do in that circumstance.

To me, the conclusion of The Road is hopeful. It is the greatest gift we can give our own children ---- to equip them to carry the fire when we, as parents, leave them to a life that doesn't include us. This novel has made me reexamine what is truly important to teach my child to survive in this world....and one lesson is certainly to be grateful for this world as we know it. To care for our world and to prevent the catastrophe that McCarthy so vividly set this novel upon.

it's interesting to me that the boy would live and carry the fire. if he died first, do you think the father would go on or would he end his journey? was there any purpose to his journey beyond protecting his son and hoping for his son's future?

Loved the book and its poetry peppered throughout. A work of art. I'm transported to the scenes with
very simple sentences. I have not seen too many books like this. Are their any like this?

Read Blood Meridian

Actually I'd suggest any of Cormac McCarthy's works. "Blood Meridian" is, in my opinion, his greatest work....and one of the greatest novels ever written....but this shouldn't steer you away from "Suttree", the Border Trilogy ("All The Pretty Horses", "The Crossing", and "Cities On The Plain"), or "Child Of God".

I'd also like to suggest the works of Herman Melville (the guy McCarthy tends to be compared with often), Nathaniel Hawthorne, Louis Ferdinand Celine's first two and last 3 novels, and the works of Larry McMurty ("Lonesome Dove"!!!!).

I could toss out a few more suggestions, but I'm recovering from my birthday celebration, so my mind isn't up to par. I appologise.

It was a little disappointing that the last chapter ended. As everyone else was hoping, I was looking forward to reading that both the man and the boy would make it to the west, only to find it as desolate as the starting point. But the more I think about it, the more I reflect on how it represents father and son, or any parent raising a child. To hope for the best, and pray that the child (or boy, in this case) make the right decisions.
It did seem like a bad omen that the child decided to go along with this family with two children. But to me it also reflected the boy coming to this own, or just giving a chance to the ones that he met along the way. It gives light to faith in humanity and perseverence in survival of humans. It gave me a creepy feeling when the stranger told the boy that they were basically watching them. But it reflected that life goes on. It was so bittersweet; I have this lingering feeling of sadness, sickness and dsisbelief. But it gives me hope for this boy. He was the representation of humanity; throughout the book, he wanted to help, he felt emaphty, and he even gave the gun to the stranger (maybe hoping to have him pass as a father figure, but I will bypass that). I think the ending gives a realistic ending to the novel. Not very fillling, but realistic nonetheless.

I did exactly the same: abandoned the book half-read, and finished it in a week end 10 months later... I'm glad i found the strength to finish it, few books moved me like this one. I kind of expected the father to kill his son in order to avoid him an atrocious end, but i prefer the real ending, wihch is very hopeful to me. Now, i just want/need to read a comedy though.

I read and finished this novel in a couple of days... needless to say it was inspiring, emotional, and amazing! I started it and read a couple of pages and thought to myself, "This is bleak!", but after finishing the story I am glad I did. This book gives hope in that parents can raise and nurture their children no matter the circumstances of the world. They never gave up hope and "carried the light" until the finish.

But there is a boundary -- and this is really one of the main points of the novel -- there is a boundary between good and evil. And that boundary is ultimately the one of which we need be most mindful. There are "good guys" and "bad guys".