8 books you should read if you like The Road by Cormac McCarthy

Cormac McCarthy’s The Road is a powerful story about survival in a world after a disaster. It deals with love, loss, and the strength of the human spirit. If you were drawn to its poignant and dark themes, you might enjoy these eight books that explore similar ideas.

1. Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

Set in a world devastated by a flu pandemic, Station Eleven follows a traveling theater troupe traversing a landscape transformed by the disaster. The narrative weaves together the lives of several characters before and after the outbreak, exploring the importance of art and memory in maintaining humanity. Like The Road, it reflects on the fragility of civilization and the enduring bonds between people.

2. Peter Heller’s star dog

In a world where a flu pandemic has decimated the population, Hig, a pilot, lives in an isolated hangar with his dog and a paranoid survivor. As he deals with grief and loneliness, Hig embarks on a journey that brings him hope, adventure, and the chance to connect. Heller’s lyrical prose and exploration of love and loss make him an ideal complement to McCarthy’s work.

3. The Way of Jack London

While this title may be more commonly associated with adventure, London’s The Road captures the struggle for survival in the midst of adversity. Set against the backdrop of a wild wilderness, it delves into themes of perseverance, the human condition, and the cruelty of the natural world, echoing the existential questions raised in McCarthy’s narrative.

4. The Road to Mecca by Athol Fugard

This powerful work, though not a novel, offers a profound exploration of the resilience of the human spirit through the story of an older woman who defies societal norms to create her own artistic vision. The themes of isolation, creativity, and resilience in the face of hardship resonate with the emotional depth found in The Road.

5. The power of Naomi Alderman

In a world where women develop the power to emit electric shocks, social structures change dramatically. This speculative fiction novel examines themes of power, survival, and human relationships in a changing world. Although more fantastical, it shares a similar sense of urgency and explores the consequences of a world in crisis.

6. Suttree by Cormac McCarthy

Another McCarthy classic, Suttree tells the story of Cornelius Suttree, who leaves his privileged life to live in a community of vagabonds on the banks of the Tennessee River. The novel delves into themes of loss, poverty, and the search for identity, showcasing McCarthy’s signature prose style while capturing the rawness of life.

7. The Last Cop by Ben H. Winters

In this unique crime novel set just before an asteroid is predicted to collide with Earth, Detective Hank Palace is determined to solve a murder despite the impending apocalypse. The story explores existential questions and the choices people make in the face of catastrophe, echoing the emotional weight found in The Road.

8. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Although The Hunger Games is more action-oriented, it presents a dystopian society where survival is paramount. Katniss Everdeen’s journey through a brutal competition highlights themes of sacrifice, resilience, and the struggle of the human spirit against oppressive forces. The intensity of the narrative and focus on survival resonate with the core elements of McCarthy’s work.