The Road
Cormac McCarthy
24 people recommended it in 18 threads, 2009–2026.
4 of those were in the last year.
What people on Hacker News said
The Road, for example, is a simple story about a man and his child, but in hell only demons.
A powerful work that, despite the world building, focuses on the love between a father and son. It's a shocking novel in many ways, but ultimately I found it profoundly hopeful. Even in the direst of circumstances love gives strength to endure.
The Road, by Cormac McCarthy (Blood Meridian is better, stylistically, but changed me less as a person)
The Road put me in a bad place mentally for two or three years. Outer Dark still fucks with me when I think about it.
Where it comes up
- Ask HN: Which book are you reading these days? 2026 · 3 recommendations
- Ask HN: Great books you read in 2009? 2010 · 3 recommendations
- Ask HN: Any interesting books you have read lately? 2023 · 2 recommendations
- Ask HN: Best books you read in the past decade? 2019 · 2 recommendations
- Ask HN: Books Recommendations? 2026 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What's the "best" book you've ever read? 2024 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Books you read in 2023 and recommend for 2024? 2023 · 1 recommendation
- Show HN: Personalized book recommendations with Librarian AI 2023 · 1 recommendation
- Brutality of Life Reading List 2020 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Mind bending books to read and never be the same as before? 2020 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Great fiction books that have had a positive impact on your life? 2020 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What are your favorite books or essays written at least 100 years ago? 2019 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What are some good books you have read lately? 2017 · 1 recommendation
- Alan Kay's reading list 2016 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What are your favorite books? I'm bored 2014 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Great book that you read recently? 2012 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Please name two of your most favorite books. 2009 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What was the latest book you read? 2009 · 1 recommendation