If a book makes you weep, that's a sure sign of the profound impact the writing has. Cormac McCarthy's unique style of writing powerfully brings the reader close to the real world. Never have I experienced such clarity and reality while reading. Though other books have caused emotion in me, the results have not lingered nearly as much as with Cormac McCarthy's book "The Road".
As
I consider this book and what it means to life, I really wish some of
my closest, dearest Christian brothers and sisters would
read it for there is so much I’d like to talk with you about. But then I
think,
this book contains such horrible scenes, why would I want to subject
anyone to that? And here's my answer:
I want you to see reality in a way that perhaps
you've not ever seen before. I want you to not just know what depravity
is but I want you to see it, but there is something much better, more
wonderful that I want you to see, and you'll see it more acutely against
the darkness. What I want you to see is perseverance sustained by love
and hope, and good shining brighter next to the
darkest abode. Though the story is tainted by lostness, good still shines through.
This is reality, for our world contains
many horrible scenes but it's not left alone – thankfully, we are not in hell.
God is here, and it’s only because of Him that we are not enduring
eternal
hell. He carries us through even in the darkest times, and we can trust that no
matter how bad things might get He will sustain those who know Him for He will never leave us.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. Isaiah 43:2
Whether it be the
writing style that may annoy some readers, it's the disturbing subject
matter that will greatly trouble those reading this very, very powerful
book. And with this in mind, this book is not for everyone. For those
curious about the book but not wanting to read it, or those considering
reading it but wanting to know more about the book, the following links
by Christians will give an overview of the book, information about
Cormac McCarthy and his writing, and how the Bible is woven into the
writing. The book was also made into a movie that closely resembles the
book, but it fails to show the most valuable, powerful part of the book which is
love and hope. Only McCarthy with his unique style of prose is able to
do this.
Tim Challies' review - scroll down to "The Road"
http://www.challies.com/book-reviews/pulitzer-prize-winners
Mike Cosper's article about McCarthy's books and why Christians can benefit from his books
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2012/02/09/cormac-mccarthy-judges-in-the-american-canon/
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2012/03/29/the-life-we-long-for-on-cormac-mccarthys-the-road/
