February 13, 2011

Room by Emma Donoghue

 Room, by Emma Donoghue is a story about fear, courage, and love.  The narrator, Jack, is a 5 year old boy that was born in Room, and has never left.  In fact, he doesn't even know anything else exists beyond Door.  All Jack knows is that his whole world lies between these 4 walls, where he and his Ma sleep, eat, learn and play.

You are able to step into the mind of this naive and sweet 5 year old, as he discovers the truths about why he's there and what lies beyond.  You watch how Ma is willing to risk everything to be freed from Room.  But guess what, that's only half the book!

This book is riveting!  I could not put it down.  I find it hard to write this review without giving away too much of the story line, but just know... it's well worth the read.  While reading, I found myself laughing out loud (LOLing), biting my nails with anxiety and literally sobbing.  (I had to put the book down so I could have a good cry.)  


I give this book 4 stars.  I would have given it 5, for story line and plot alone, but at times there is some monotony and I really wish we could have seen into the mind of Ma as well.  If I had written it, I may have done a switch off between Jack narrating and Ma narrating.  This is a book that will stay with you and you will think about it's horrors and mercies long after you're through.


4 comments:

  1. I think I'm one of the only people in the blog world who hasn't read this yet! I don't think I've seen a bad review yet, either. I really need to track down a copy. 2 Kids and Tired Books

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  2. it's really astounding. i've read this in one night. it's like you're going back to your own innocence

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  3. Room is where five year old Jack was born and where he lives with his mother. They are locked in and completely dependent on their "jailer", Old Nick, for the food and supplies that he might deign to bring them. Each week they get to ask for one Sunday treat. Sometimes it is fresh fruit, sometimes a light bulb or batteries, or a book or a rare toy.
    The whole story is told from the view point of the precocious five year old child. As the story unfolds he describes his world. Although they get some spotty TV, Jack believes that is all pretend, like Dora. He has no idea that there is more beyond Room until one day his Ma starts to tell him the truth about the outside world she knew before she was imprisoned seven years before.

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