By Emma Donoghue
Pages 321
Recommended by Suey???
First sentence Today I am five.
Synopsis
Told from five year old Jack's perspective, comes the tale of a mother and son locked in a room and their daring escape.
What it has going for it
I've been putting off reading this book for a long time. I think I had some weird expectations. See, I thought they were going to be in the room the entire book and that it was going to have some deep message of sacrifice; with the mother keeping her son innocent of the awful things that were going on. Of course, once I started reading I realized that if this whole 321 page book was going to be about being locked in this room I was going to lose interest fast! Luckily, a hundred pages in things started happening and got very interesting from there on out. I enjoyed Jack's voice and found his actions and feeling incredibly realistic. I couldn't help but want to judge certain characters and kept having to remind myself that I have NO idea what it would be like to go through what they did. Then I'd laugh that these characters were so real to me that I even wanted to judge them. Talented writing indeed to accomplish that, agreed?
What's lacking
Like I said, those first hundred pages weren't very good at holding my attention but that might just be a personal preference. I think some people might be bothered by some of the graphic descriptions and subject matter. I don't know, once it got going I don't think there was much lacking.
Yea or Nay?
I'd recommend it.
It's so interesting to hear your thoughts on a book I've read. I liked it as well but I found it terribly depressing.
ReplyDeleteYeah, funny how we don't read much in common. Oh well, that's why I like you! ;) And, yes, it was a bit depressing.
DeleteI actually found those first hundred pages fascinating, to see how the mom made do with what she had and was able to create some sort of normal life for that boy! And to see how incredibly smart he is, with no real world experience at all.
ReplyDeleteYou know this is based on a true story... I saw a news thing awhile back where a girl was kidnapped at 11, and then found at 29. She had two teen aged daughters who had grown up in the room.
The other interesting thing about this book is how they handled things afterwards. Was it surprising to you?
I found the first bit interesting but realized I wouldn't be able to stand 200 + pages more! I wondered if it was based on a true story. That's so sad! I found the whole thing really fascinating and had all sorts of interesting thoughts but I didn't want to write a novel of a post, you know? We'll have to discuss in person. ;)
DeleteThis sounds like an interesting read. I'm glad you ended up enjoying it after those first 100 pages.
ReplyDeleteYou should try it sometime...you know, with all those other books you want to read. ;)
DeleteI'm actually reading this right now for my book club - I think I'm just getting to the part where things pick up, though I've been intrigued from the first. I didn't know it was based on a true story! Ack!
ReplyDeleteI know! I didn't know it was based on a true story but I did wonder. I would really have liked to read this one for a book club. There was a lot I would have liked to delve into but didn't have the energy to put it in a big long post. :(
DeleteI have been completely putting off reading this book because I think it would affect me regardless of the subject matter. With a title like Room and a child MC, how can it not??
ReplyDeleteYou mean how hard emotionally it would be??? Cause it was tough but the kid was so innocent it made it bearable. If you mean hard just in general, it was very easy and entertaining.
DeleteThis book's premise really leaves you with a billion questions, doesn't it? What the heck are these two doing locked in some room somewhere? Are they going to get out, and how?
ReplyDeleteGreat review and non-spoilery, so thanks for that.
Oh, good!I try not to be spoiley but I'm afraid I don't always succeed.
DeleteI think my expectations for this one were too high, as I was ultimately disappointed with it. While I liked Jack well enough, I just didn't care for the book overall. :(
ReplyDeleteYeah, I let my expectations get in the way all the time! I think that's why I put this one off for so long.
DeleteThe cover of this book puts me off. I know, I know, I shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but this one gives me absolutely no clue about the story. So, if not for your review, I'd probably never give it a second glance.
ReplyDeleteI always judge a book by it's cover and this one doesn't really grab my my attention either. It does kinda make sense once you've read it but still.
DeleteOh, good, I'm glad you liked this one and were impressed with the writing. It's on my wish list, but like some of your other commenters, I've been a little concerned that it might be either boring or too heavy emotionally. Excellent review, Jenny!
ReplyDeleteI'm not the person to say if it was too heavy emotionally. I'm pretty numb to stuff like that. I mean if it was real and on the news it would sadden me but in book form that was written as fiction...meh.
DeleteEveryone I know that has read this book has told me that they loved it...that said, it's just not a subject-matter that I want to read about.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it can be hard to read about. It's handled pretty well but if it's not your thing it's not your thing.
DeleteGahh I've fallen behind on checking out your blog! But its so ironic that I waited until today because I started reading Room last night! Glad to hear you enjoyed it! I'm finding the first 100 pages a bit slow right now too...so hopefully it picks up for me soon!
ReplyDeleteThat's OK, I know you're very busy. I hope you enjoy Room, it does get better soon.
DeleteI did miss this review apparently! I liked this book, but, like Suey, I liked the first part a little better than the second part. It was interesting to see how they survived in the room. The whole thing was well done though.
ReplyDelete