The Road by Cormac McCarthy Betha Gutsche 2009-01-15T23:41:00Z 2009-01-15T23:41:00Z

I read The Road a month ago, on the recommendation of a colleague. It is quite dark, relentlessly so. Its great redeeming quality is that it is so beautifully written.<br /><br />I would hesitate to recommend it for a book discussion. I know some people who had a vehement negative reaction to it. It is hard to look at the utterly bleak picture it paints. I made the decision not to read it before bed so I would be less likely to have my dreams haunted by it.<br /><br />Another colleague relished the book because she loves dark and depressing novels. So, you never know.

Betha Gutsche 2009-01-15T23:41:00Z Meredith Wagner 2008-11-16T02:40:12Z 2008-11-16T02:40:12Z

Yes, I was concerned about using it &#040;despite its Pultizer Prize and good reviews&#041; because it was so dark, and I was curious how other readers would react to it.

Meredith Wagner 2008-11-16T02:40:12Z Emily Inlow-Hood 2008-11-11T22:09:13Z 2008-11-11T22:09:13Z

We also discussed in our year&#045;end review that we liked books that helped us understand our local environment and culture &#040;Pacific Northwest&#041;. One book that got high marks was <a href='http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/57579269&amp;referer=brief_results'>The Golden Spruce</a> by John Vaillant because it talked about the local logging industry and Haida culture.<br /><br />Emily

Emily Inlow-Hood 2008-11-11T22:09:13Z Emily Inlow-Hood 2008-11-11T21:59:56Z 2008-11-11T21:59:56Z

Hi Meredith,<br /><br />What are your concerns about this particular title? My library book group &#040;that I&#039;m a participant in&#041; just did a review of our first year&#039;s books, and we found that many of us had a hard time finishing books that explored the darker aspects of humanity. <br /><br />For example, only two of us showed up to discuss the book <a href='http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/42849747&amp;referer=brief_results'>When Broken Glass Floats: Growing Up Under the Khmer Rouge</a>. The next book meeting, many in the group said they found it difficult to finish, because of the topic, and two, didn&#039;t feel they could take a discussion of it. <br /><br />Our group, though sponsored by the library, doesn&#039;t have a facilitator.<br /><br />I also haven&#039;t read The Road yet, though it&#039;s on my list of books to next read.

Emily Inlow-Hood 2008-11-11T21:59:56Z Meredith Wagner 2008-09-23T16:42:54Z 2008-09-23T16:42:54Z

Has anyone used <i>The Road</i> by Cormac McCarthy in a book discussion? If so, then how did the patrons react to it?

Meredith Wagner 2008-09-23T16:42:54Z