“The Road” is too damn grim for the first 90%, but has an uplifting/hopeful ending.
“The Last Valley” is about Sharif influencing Caine to stop being a monster and a killer, and start caring about the people in the valley.
In the end, “the Captain” undertakes a hopeless mission just to try to save the valley.
The Road shows that black powder weapons will be around long after the fancy ammo weapons are gone.
My wife’s first words after reading (without my prompting) The Road were “I want a bunker.” Hey, whatever gets the point across...