The Road by Cormac McCarthy

$6.39

Recommended by Sam

I've read every one of his books and this is not only my favorite, but also, the only one of his books that has even the smallest shred of optimism. The movie is also excellent, the filmed it in as many naturally apocalyptic-y places as possible, including Conneaut Lake Park in Pennsylvania (after the ballroom burned), Katrina ravaged New Orleans, the abandoned turnpike tunnel in Pennsylvania, and Mt. St. Helens. But nothing beats the book, where McCarthy is at the height of his linguistic powers.

Book Club: Apocalypse

4 months ago

Comments

Simon Walker

@simonwalkerMay 26, 2026

The last paragraph is my favorite piece of writing in the world.

Sam

@samanthafieldsMay 26, 2026

My favorite passage...although really, the entire book is pitch perfect: “He walked out in the gray light and stood and he saw for a brief moment the absolute truth of the world. The cold relentless circling of the intestate earth. Darkness implacable. The blind dogs of the sun in their running. The crushing black vacuum of the universe. And somewhere two hunted animals trembling like ground-foxes in their cover. Borrowed time and borrowed world and borrowed eyes with which to sorrow it.”"

Simon Walker

@simonwalkerMay 27, 2026

Oh wow... I think I'm gonna have to read the whole book again. It's been some years. That's an incredible passage. I think the final paragraph might be my favorite because after the experience of the book as a whole, it so perfectly and beautifully brings it all together in this moment of deep reflection. I mean it's just so heavy. The word "mystery" hits so hard. But you have to earn it - you have to read the rest of the book first. Which is why I don't really quote it or share it with people.

Sam

@samanthafieldsMay 27, 2026

Exactly! It's even better on a re-read. I love the final paragraph too because it's weirdly optimistic for McCarthy, even as it's a lament for the world that's gone. I like the Joycean micro/macro if it too...the map of the world in the pattern of a fish. The smallest, grandest thing. Agh. Now I need a re-read too!

Simon Walker

@simonwalkerMay 27, 2026

I think we just started a book club haha.

Sam

@samanthafieldsMay 27, 2026

This broken world needs more Book Clubs! ;)

DaniS

@danisMay 26, 2026

Agreed, this is an outstanding recommendation!

Sam

@samanthafieldsMay 26, 2026

I wish they hadn't released The Passenger, this should have been his final work!

Across Rec League

The Road

Levi

“Finding hope in a world where all hope is lost. These tend to be my favorite worlds to explore. I love the way McCarthy describes these dilapidated landscapes with a sort of haunting beauty. How there are still moments of respite to be found at the end of the world.”

travis duong

“pensive and desolate. beautiful and wholly existentialist with scattered, illustrative remnants of a plot. this book is many things. a tale of love. a tale of hope. a tale of hopelessness and the human spirit.”

LUI$

@lj559

See 1 more

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

Comments

The Road

More like this

Lives of Girls and Women by Alice Munro

Into the Forest by Jean Hegland

The Color Purple by Alice Walker

On Such a Full Sea by Chang-rae Lee

Follow Sam