by Emma DonoghueHardcover, 336 pages
Little, Brown and Company (September 13, 2010)
Source:
I received a copy of this book for my participation in the Manic Mommies Book Club
Summary from the author's website:
Summary from the author's website:
ROOM (2010) is the story of a five-year-old called Jack, who lives in a single room with his Ma and has never been outside. When he turns five, he starts to ask questions, and his mother reveals to him that there is a world outside. Told entirely in Jack’s voice, ROOM is no horror story or tearjerker, but a celebration of resilience and the love between parent and child.
My Thoughts:
My Thoughts:
Unlike most books, I did not read a synopsis of Room
before I started the book. I heard all of the buzz and critical acclaim for this novel, and looked forward to the opportunity to read it. On a trip to Houston this year, I tossed it in my bag and found myself completely engrossed from page one. It was the fastest three-hour flight that I had ever experienced.
before I started the book. I heard all of the buzz and critical acclaim for this novel, and looked forward to the opportunity to read it. On a trip to Houston this year, I tossed it in my bag and found myself completely engrossed from page one. It was the fastest three-hour flight that I had ever experienced.Told from the perspective of a five-year-old, Room was really breathtaking. It took me several pages to adjust to Jack's perspective, but once I understood the approach, I was hooked. Donoghue's ability to convey very adult situations using both Jack's description, as well as dialogue between Jack and his mother was very interesting. Admittedly, I found myself imagining the world through my daughter's eyes - with limited vocabulary and limited understanding of human motives, a child's abilty to describe their world is very simple, but often very enlightening.
was really breathtaking. It took me several pages to adjust to Jack's perspective, but once I understood the approach, I was hooked. Donoghue's ability to convey very adult situations using both Jack's description, as well as dialogue between Jack and his mother was very interesting. Admittedly, I found myself imagining the world through my daughter's eyes - with limited vocabulary and limited understanding of human motives, a child's abilty to describe their world is very simple, but often very enlightening.It is difficult to offer a fully critique of Room without providing any spoilers, but in order to really enjoy the book I think that it is crucial that the reader not know what is going to happen. Personally, I would have preferred that the first "part" had been extended, because this storyline felt the most real and raw to me. However, I do appreciate Donoghue's approach to telling the story and understand the importance of exploring the emotions that occured during the second phase of the novel.
without providing any spoilers, but in order to really enjoy the book I think that it is crucial that the reader not know what is going to happen. Personally, I would have preferred that the first "part" had been extended, because this storyline felt the most real and raw to me. However, I do appreciate Donoghue's approach to telling the story and understand the importance of exploring the emotions that occured during the second phase of the novel.When I finished Room - on the flight back home - I wished that I had someone that I could have chatted with about the book. It was such a powerful story and Jack's perspective made such a great impression upon me. The novel is very deserving of the attention that it has received!
- on the flight back home - I wished that I had someone that I could have chatted with about the book. It was such a powerful story and Jack's perspective made such a great impression upon me. The novel is very deserving of the attention that it has received!4 Stars!
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