The Road is, undoubtedly, a good book, but the question as to whether or not it is of AP merit is a more difficult question than I initially thought. I do not pretend to be an expert in this area, but it seems to me after careful consideration that it is of AP merit, although I completely understand arguments to the contrary. It has a strange writing style that, if it had been done unintentionally, would have disqualified it, as it feels like summary, but as I stated in a previous post, I absolutely believe that this is intentional, and it had an interesting effect on me as a reader. I would say that this writing style had a lot of risk, but, at least in my view, had a high reward.
The plot does tend to drag on at times, but when there is something happening it is impossible to put the book down. Therefore, as far as being an engaging read it could go either way. As for the end of the book, it may feel a little too abrupt, but the book ends the only way it ever could, by having the boy carry the fire of humanity without his father's guidance.
Finally there is what I believe to be the most important qualifier for an AP book; symbolism and deeper meaning. The road gives strong questions of morality. Through
horrific images in a foreign world, we are asked questions that apply to our own, such as: where is the line between self-preservation and greed? It also allows you to sympathize with two characters whose names we do not even know, which would normally inhibit our ability to sympathize but in this case it allows all males to picture themselves in this situation. Anyone could be the boy, including the reader. I would say that for these reasons,
The Road at AP level.
Hey there Andrew, I gotta say I pretty much agree with all of your points here. Definitely thought the plot dragged a lot, and in fact at many times, there wasn't even a plot. More should have happened in this story. That being said, I still liked it. And I too thought it was AP worthy. I liked your point about how anyone could be the boy. Do you feel like the ending was meant to be a bit unclear and up for debate, kind of like that of the Handmaid's Tale? Do you think (SPOILER ALERT) the man who finds him at the end is in fact one of the good guys? I wasn't sure, but I'd like to think he was.
ReplyDeleteGood discussion of the qualifications for AP-worthiness and your discussion of it. You mention that the characters are easily sympathized/empathized with by male readers. I think the effect is a bit more universal than that, but it made me wonder about how the book would change if one of both of the characters were female.
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