Preview: Cormac McCarthy’s ‘The Road’ Is Now A Graphic Novel

Cormac MCarthy‘s bleak, post-apocalyptic novel and Pulitzer Prize winner for Fiction, The Road, is to be adapted as a graphic novel by cartoonist Manu Larcenet. Dedicated to his son, the multi-award winning novel tells the “story of a nameless father and son trying to survive with their humanity intact in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, where Earth’s natural resources have been diminished and some survivors are left to raise others for meat”.

To make this happen, Larcent sent the following letter to McCarthy, leading to this graphic novel adaption. Earlier this year a French edition sold over 60,000 copies in the first three weeks. As a very popular novel to this day, already having been adapted into a film by director John Hillcoat, I can imagine this will have many fans’ interest.

Larcent wrote:

“I loved The Road for the atmosphere it creates. Most likely because I enjoy drawing the snow, the chilling winds, the dark clouds, the sizzling rain, tangles and snags, rust, and the damp and the humidity. I draw violence and kindness, wild animals, dirty skin, pits, and stagnant water. I enjoy the contrast between the characters and their environment, and as conceited as it may sound, I feel like I’m up to the task. 

If I am so bold as to ask you to draw your Road, it is not to rewrite anything, or change the feel of the story. I have no other ambitions but to draw your words. The magical part of being an illustrator is to find a silent line to draw with every word. These lines could support yours without distorting them. At least, that’s the goal if this project should come to fruition. 

I’m coming off years of writing that wore me down, and I want nothing more than to draw! For almost six months now, I’ve been reading your book again and again, almost living in it. I’m starting to see how I could tackle the challenge of following the guidelines you set without feeling trapped by them. On top of that, I’ve been racking my brain to avoid any reference to the movie adaptation. 

I usually write my own comics, one of which (Blast) shares common themes with your book. But I didn’t write The Road; I really wish I had! I sincerely thank you for allowing me to put my pencil down where your pen went.”

The Road: A Graphic Novel Adaptation is out now from Abrams ComicArts.