The Reviews

“One of the best writers of his generation.”

“The great American novel we’ve awaited.”

“A masterpiece.”

“One of McCarthy’s true heirs. A writer is born.”

“A powerful new voice has emerged in fiction.”

“Quite possibly the finest American debut of the year.”

“Unputdownable.”

“Vengeful yet sorrowing, plausible yet dreamlike, and completely absorbing.”

“Hands down the best fictional debut we have read this year.”

“Exactly what fiction should do.”

“A seriously impressive work of literature.”

“This book — merciless and loving — is a modern American masterpiece.”

“Magnificent.”

“A pure diamond.”

“My favorite novel of the past few years.”

“Literary masterpiece.”

“A work of art.”

“Compared to Caribou Island, The Road is grim-lit lite.”

“The harsh beauty of Alaska is the star turn in Vann’s disturbing novel.”

“Vann is a forceful, potent writer.”

“Writing born of tremendous passion.”

“Vann keeps the pages turning with the skill of the best mystery novelists.”

“An existential page-turner and literary breakthrough.”

“A taut and riveting study of isolation, insanity, and violence.”

“Words and ideas seem almost dangerous in his hands.”

“Brave and brilliant.”

“Extraordinary. It is sword-literature.”

“Very effective, this novel is toxic and intense.”

“He’s doing something fearless with allegory and character.”

“Structurally, the novel is as reliable as liturgy.”

“As rich as good poetry and as addictive as a first-class detective novel.”

“A triumph.”

“A stirring tale that isn’t as simple as it first appears.”

“A carefully crafted account of a descent into fatal madness.”

“Damn exciting.”

“As if a hero of The Perfect Storm had lived to write his memoirs.”

“Mandatory reading for anyone who’s flirted with a life at sea.”