Strictly speaking, it's not about zombies (though there's an explicit reference to them!). However, it's definitely post-apocalyptic, and the novel does a great job of illustrating the daily struggle for survival in a bleak, desolate wasteland.
Without giving anything away, the story focuses on a man and his young son as they try to head south in the aftermath of an (apparently) global cataclysm. Almost all animals and plant-life are extinct, and the only food available is what you can find in the ruins, unless you're willing to engage in cannibalism. Even then, you might go a long time between meals.
From a zombie standpoint, the book is especially useful in how it illustrates what people might do when driven by hunger and desperation.
Aside from that, the writing is truly extraordinary. McCarthy is a magnificent writer, and his imagery is rich and astounding. He has several stylistic quirks that can be off-putting, but if you can get past these, you'll be rewarded for your effort.
Also, don't be fooled by the fact that Oprah anointed this book as a "must read." It's definitely not Tuesdays with Morrie.
The 'zombies' were more or less cannibals. The baby-eating scene... *shiver*
It's an amazing novel. I really like the way he did it, and I definitely can't wait for the movie.
Chunks of the movie were filmed near here (north of Pittsburgh).
The thing about the baby-eating scene IMO is that, although it's horrifying, it's also a sad testament to that group's desperation.
Have to agree with the praise. McCarthy is unlike any other writer I enjoy. His prose is dense and yet he conveys his ideas vividly with very few words. He is also a relentless writer and doesn't give readers a break. All the Pretty Horses is a fine example. If you don't know Spanish then you will miss chunks of the book.
The Road is one of his best books, Oprah book club or not it is simply one of the best post-apoc books ever written. I think his finest novel is Blood Meridian - read that book for a lesson in how to do ultra-violence and yet maintain literary chops that will make you feel like a hack.
My then-future wife gave me a copy of Blood Meridian while we were dating. At first, I didn't care for it, but I kept at it, and after a few chapters I was wholly mesmerized. It's very possibly my overall favorite novel; it's certainly the one I've read more than any other.
In addition to his general brilliance, McCarthy is particularly good at writing chaotic fight-scenes and battles. For instance, the knife fight in the Mexican prison in All the Pretty Horses is simply remarkable. The bar-fight in Suttree is exquisite for its pacing, its detal, and its sense of poetic madness. And Blood Meridian has a whole bunch of insane battle sequences.
He's an excellent writer to study when seeking to master (or even just improve) one's craft.
I've just come home from a 'book club' meeting in Abu Dhabi where we discussed 'The Road'.
I virtually brought proceedings to a halt when I said the book was a post-apocalyptic version of 'The Wizard of Oz'.
I found the basement scene in 'The Road' every bit as disturbing as the baby scene.
DW
Yeah. I read this book last year and loved it. It is unlike anything I have read before, though to be honest, I am not sure if I would read anything by him again. Although I loved the story, his prose is dense and the style is.....odd(?) yet I loved it.
He's a genius and although his stuff gets a little dense at times he writes single lines that make my jaw drop. There's one line in 'The Road' about the kid walking along behind his dad playing his wooden flute that is absolute perfection, I'd have to look it up so as not to quote it wrong. Concerns wolves and players 
Blood Meridian - wow, talk about ultra-violence. Makes the baby eating and basement scene in The Road seem PG by comparison. And constantly too, just unrelenting. Probably one of the top 5 books I've read. And again with the amazing lines. Just so poetic amidst the Hellishness.
I've only read The Road. By the looks of things, I need to read more by Cormac McCarthy.
I loved The Road, though. Everything about the book stuck with me, from the story's events, to the way McCarthy tells the story.
I hope the movie is just as good as the book.
i've been waiting since it was announced, thelast time i had to wait was 28 days later amd the year and a half it took for it to get to the states.
the only downer of this movie is the whole charlize theron being in it, other that that, kick ass!
he does have a way with words when he writes. it's powerful.
