The Road by Cormac McCarthy

Surely it would surprise my 10^th-grade self to know that I have changed my opinion of this novel. As a high schooler, I struggled to follow the story. The lack of structure and even punctuation surely didn’t help. This time around, I agree with my English teacher and the Pulitzer Prize Board: it’s a good book.

I enjoyed the contrast between the harsh, antagonistic reality of a post-apocalyptic world and the tender love between father and son. I appreciated the way the atypical writing style reflects the disorder of the setting. I reflected on what makes life worth living – why keep trying to survive when it’s a battle you’re likely to lose sooner than later?