“Have you read The Road?” I think I've been asked that question at least a dozen times in the last year. And now I've asked you - the circle continues. If you don't know, the Road is the Pulitzer Prize winning novel from Cormac McCarthy that is being adapted into a movie for release in 2009.

Well, after clearing the decks of New Yorkers and Entertainment Weeklies (you have to have balance), I finally read The Road.

I recommend it highly, with some important caveats. It is an extremely well-written novel with sparse prose and dialog that would make Carver proud. However, this post-apocalyptic story or a father and son slouching toward the coast is both a heartening love-story that any parent will be moved by and a gutting and often sad story and statement on our society. It's a great book. But, if you're anything like me, parenthood probably put a couple of chinks in the old emotional armor.  So, if you tend to get suckered by even obvious emotional ploys in, for instance, tire commercials, retirement fund ads, that sort of thing, then you might want to stear clear in spite of the great storytelling. It's a bit of a tough read in that respect. But I'm glad I read it.