13 The Arts Issue 9 - October 2023 differences in their character so there is no need for speech marks. The dialogue was one of the most moving features of the novel, as it manages to create such a compelling sense of hope, attaching the reader to the characters and humanising them to a point that I felt like I was in the story, walking with them. Their trek along ‘The Road’ had moments of tension, where they find other people, some friendly and some evil. There are also moments of pure heartbreak and sadness, as you see the sense of optimism and hope begin to slip into a weary state of naïve desperation, taking the reading with them on this seemingly endless walk into nothingness. McCarthy’s writing style throughout the novel remains fitting with the sombre mood of the postapocalyptic world around them. The descriptions are evocative yet not excessive, the paragraphs short but gripping. From the first chapter, I was a part of the arduous journey, living the brutal reality experienced by the father and son. I have read the book two times over, once when I was in year 8 and once in year 12, and I must say, the second time round gave me a new perspective on how I view the novel as a whole. I would say that during the first reading it was more of a thrill and adventure novel, whilst the second opened my eyes to what was really happening. It isn’t just a story about a man and a child walking down a road, it is a story centred around human desperation, and the extent that humans will go to survive. By the end, the child is a mere shell of a human, reaped of all innocence and purity, instead a cold and empty creature stripped of humanity. I don’t want to spoil anything, so I have tried to keep this review brief and punchy, but I strongly recommend that you give 'The Road' a read. It is one of my favourite novels of all time, providing a different perspective and nuance to the idea of an apocalypse, keeping it as realistic as possible and displaying what could actually happen if the entire world was destroyed. 'Spiderman Across the Spiderverse': A Mindbending Masterpiece The much-anticipated sequel to the animated hit 'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse' has arrived, and 'Spider-Man: Across the SpiderVerse' takes audiences on a mindbending journey through the multiverse. Packed with stunning visuals and a thrilling narrative, this film proves to be an exhilarating addition to the Spider-Man franchise. From the moment the film begins, the animation mesmerises with its unique blend of styles. The filmmakers push the boundaries of what is possible in animated storytelling, utilising vibrant colours, dynamic action sequences, and inventive cinematography that replicates the essence of comic book panels. The result is a visual spectacle that immerses viewers in a stunning world of webslinging heroes and villains. The story picks up where the first film left off, introducing us to a new dimension-hopping adventure. Miles Morales, voiced by Shameik Moore, continues to shine as the Afro-Latino Spider-Man, grappling with the challenges of balancing his dual identities, and following the Miles Morales (one of the many Spidermen) as depicted in the film Bilal Raja (Year 11) reviews the long awaited 'Spiderman Across the Spiderverse'. "As long as the boy lives, the man will fight with everything he has to keep the boy alive, regardless of his own wish for death."
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