Utter Wonder: The Idle Thoughts Of C. Monks

A Road Not Worth Taking.

Posted 05/29/2007 07:06 AM by cmonks in > critiques.

I read "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy over the holiday weekend. I don't see what all the hubbub was about the book; it wasn't funny. I expected a funny romp, in the same spirit of those Bob Hope and Bing Crosby "Road" movies, but instead all I got was a father and son trying their best not to get eaten by post-apocalyptic cannibals. What's funny about that?

Nothing.

I mean, I suppose being on the run from post-apocalyptic cannibals could be funny if there was some slapstick sprinkled throughout, but there wasn't one pie thrown at somebody's face in the entire book. All there was instead was a lot of hiding from cannibals and the word "macadam" used 1500 times. What the hell is a "macadam" anyway? I could look it up, but I'm too busy; I'm a blogger.

Anyway, if you're looking for a literary laugh riot I don't recommend "The Road" at all. (What was Oprah thinking?) However, I did hear that Don DeLillo's new novel about 9/11 is supposed to be good. I loved his work in the "Cannonball Run" pictures, so I bet his book his a hoot. It better be because I could really use a pick me up after the downer that was "The Road." I hate post-apocalyptic cannibals.

This post is dedicated to ginko bilboa.

Comments.

Pavement made of layers of compacted broken stone, now usually bound with tar or asphalt. Or a road. Does that help?

Posted by: Lisa at 05/29/2007 12:53 PM

Now that you've admitted to also not knowing what the word macadam meant, and that you were too lazy to look it up as well, I will 'fess up to the same. I believe it's always better to let someone else admit their slovenly habits first. This book was not just boring, it was super-boring. Take that, Oprah.

Posted by: Karen at 05/29/2007 01:05 PM

It's either that dance from the 90s, or a racial slur. I always get those two confused.

Posted by: jh at 05/29/2007 01:33 PM

monks:

you should have read "no country for old men." that brought the funny! paramount bought the rights and are going to make a blockbuster out of it. they've signed matthew perry to play the lead! i can't wait!

Posted by: michael murray at 05/29/2007 02:51 PM

If you want to read a funny boook about the apocalypse, I highly recommend Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry somebody. It is teh funny, unlike this comment.

Posted by: melvis at 05/29/2007 05:02 PM

That's "gingko BIL-O-BA." Everyone gets it confused with Rocky Balboa. But it's not even close to the same thing. For one thing, Rocky can beat gingko's herby ass.

Posted by: Heather at 05/29/2007 07:57 PM

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