Is there hope for humanity?

Hope was one of the major topics last night in our discussion of Cormac McCarthy's novel "The Road" at the Johnstown Public Library. The group was pretty well divided on whether the book has a redeeming flicker of optimism buried under its many despairing layers of doom and ashes.

For the record, I'm one of the glass-is-half-full people.

We had a lively discussion about the book, and even the folks who found it "too dark" had considerable praise for the prose.

If you've read the book, which won the Pulitzer in 2007 and got the thumbs-up from culture juggernaut Oprah Winfrey, or if you are familiar with the author's other work ("Blood Meridian," "All the Pretty Horses," "No Country for Old Men," etc.), you should try to come join us for the second discussion session. It will take place at 10:30 a.m. this Friday downstairs at the Johnstown Public Library. Ten valiant readers have already RSVP'd, so it's sure to be a good chat.

If you can't join us but you have something to say about the novel, fire away with comments here on the blog. They're always welcome.