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Literary Fiction· United States

The Road

by Cormac McCarthy
Aggregate Editorial Score100/100
★Pulitzer Prize★Hugo Award
Published 2007256 pagesEnglish
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About This Book

When Cormac McCarthy published The Road in 2007, it quickly found its place in the broader tradition of literary fiction. A father and his young son make their way south through a post-apocalyptic American landscape, fighting starvation and violence while the father tries to protect his son and keep the 'fire' of goodness alive. McCarthy's Pulitzer Prize–winning novel is a harrowing and tender meditation on love, survival, and the end of the world. Themes of survival, parenthood, apocalypse run through the work. The book has received recognition from Pulitzer Prize 2007 and Hugo Award 2007.

Book Details

AuthorCormac McCarthy
Published2007
Country of Origin🇺🇸 United States
LanguageEnglish
Pages256
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9780307387899
Editorial Score100/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇺🇸 United States

This book is part of United States's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from United States →

Editorial Assessment

Cormac McCarthy published The Road in 2007, and it has since become one of the more widely recognised works of literary fiction from United States. The book's treatment of survival, parenthood, apocalypse, hope accounts for much of its enduring reputation. Critics and institutions have consistently placed The Road among the notable works of its period. Among its recognitions: Pulitzer Prize 2007; Hugo Award 2007. Our aggregate score of 100/100 is compiled from 2 editorial sources that range from Nobel and Booker committees to leading literary journals. The appeal of The Road lies partly in its refusal to offer easy answers. Its exploration of survival, parenthood, apocalypse, hope is sustained, textured, and genuinely thought-provoking in ways that stay with readers well after the final page. Within United States's literary landscape, Cormac McCarthy occupies a significant position. The Road is both a personal artistic statement and a contribution to a tradition shaped by the country's history and cultural concerns.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 2 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Pulitzer Prize
winner · national
200765
Hugo Award
winner · genre
200757
✍️
About the Author
Cormac McCarthy
United States
View Author →

Cormac McCarthy is a celebrated author from United States known for influential works of literary fiction.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Road about?

A father and his young son make their way south through a post-apocalyptic American landscape, fighting starvation and violence while the father tries to protect his son and keep the 'fire' of goodness alive. McCarthy's Pulitzer Prize–winning novel is a harrowing and tender meditation on love, survival, and the end of the world.

Who wrote The Road?

The Road was written by Cormac McCarthy, from United States. First published in 2007.

What awards has The Road won?

The Road has received the following awards and honours: Pulitzer Prize 2007; Hugo Award 2007.

Is The Road worth reading?

The Road is one of the most critically acclaimed books ever written, with an aggregate editorial score of 100/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 2 editorial sources. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in survival, parenthood, apocalypse.

Where can I buy The Road?

You can buy The Road on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is The Road?

The Road is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is The Road from?

The Road originates from United States's literary tradition. Explore more books from United States on our country page.

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