A few months ago, my wife’s cousin-in-law, Jana, asked me what books I read after I made a comment on my blog that most Americans have only been conditioned to read things by J.K. Rowling (who apparently is now being replaced by Stephanie Meyer as the one who has taken on the burden of encouraging Americans to read).  Where the popularity of Rowling and Meyer doesn’t surprise me, it would be nice to see their readers move beyond the gateway drug of literary escapism to some writing with philosophical depth.  Cormac McCarthy’s latest novel, The Road, is a book that should be at the top of everyone’s list if you haven’t read it yet.  Here are five reasons why you should read this book:

1. The masterful use of language – Cormac McCarthy is a master of the English language.  Writers like Stephanie Meyer flood their pages with filler and drivel.
2. Rather than entertain you, The Road, will force you to ask hard questions to yourself.  Ultimately McCarthy will transport you to a world where a previously existing moral order has completely unraveled.  The book forces you to examine your own moral universe.  The book deconstructs morality and moral relativism and identifies the possibility of transcendental truth in an apocalyptic abyss.  At some point we all make a conscious decision about what constitutes morality, The Road helps us evaluate how we reach this decision.
3. The examination of the father/son relationship contains symbolism of Biblical proportions.  The book reminds us that moral and spiritual renewal is a multi-generational task.  Life is Beautiful is a film that explores similar themes in different ways.  The New Testament is another book that explores similar themes.
4. It is being made into film with Viggo Mortensen in the lead role.  This is a movie that will probabaly sweep the Academy Awards like No Country for Old Men did.  Since McCarthy has a knack for writing very adaptable novels, you should read this book just to see how he is able to write a book almost as if he were writing a handbook for a film director.  Instead of being divided into chapters, the book is divided into little sections that I would call scenes.
5. It ‘s probably an easier and shorter read than most books by Rowling or Meyer.
   

   The Road by Cormac McCarth

Now that the book is in paperback in promotion for the film, you should be able to pick this up for a decent price.  However, you can’t afford to not read it.  This book would also be a great gift for Christmas.  Like I said, this book will make you think about the ideas of spiritual renewal that are presented in the New Testament in enlightening and intersting ways.  Best of all, you can buy The Road from The Bloghorn Bookstore.