Cormac McCarthy's "The Road" has the most terrifying, horrible thing I've ever read.

[sir pball]

And I don't mean the gutted, roasted, and cannibalized baby.

That's an 8/10 on the horrors of the story.

Still, it's an amazing book. The best book I will never read again.

[AZSkiffyGeek]

1. "The best book I will never read again"

Honestly, that describes most McCarthy. Brilliant, disturbing and something I never want to read again...
I can't believe Oprah recommended "The Road" - I was working at a bookstore when that happened and it was interesting watching the people flock to buy it, then flock to return it...

[sir pball]

2. Oprah really bobbled that one, even if it is epic writing.

It's an amazing book, incredible writing but the subject matter is…difficult. I have re-read Blood Meridian, but that's mostly to figure out who and what The Judge is.

I do agree though, most people who read Oprah books should not read The Road, nor Blood Meridian, nor No Country for Old Men…maybe All The Pretty Horses would have been a wiser suggestion?

[MuseRider]

3. It really is an excellent book

but very very hard to read.

I thought they did a pretty good job with the movie too, actually more than pretty good. It was as bleak and sad and scary and just hopeless as the book. That had to have been just a very long slog doing that day after day.

[Orrex]

4. Robert Duvall was also excellent in his brief scene

My only two reservations about the book:

1. I have trouble believing that a shopping cart is a great conveyance for uncertain terrain. They can be temperamental enough on a snowy parking lot, but over broken, cluttered roads? Hmm.

2. It bugged me that the kid called his father “papa.” I know that this is fairly common in some regions, but I have literally never heard an American father addressed this way post-1980.

I’m a big McCarthy fan, bought The Road on the day it came out and am looking forward to The Passenger.

[Aristus]

5. I read it in one sitting.

And will never read it again. As above, it's an extraordinarily well-written book, and an exceptional story. But too hard to go through again.

The movie was equally as soul-crushing.

[Sky Jewels]

6. It is a harrowing read.

I feel the same. I'm glad I have read it, but never again.