Room by Emma Donoghue

Everyone’s been singing Room‘s praises for months, and I think I knew too much about this book before I actually read it. I knew that it was told from the point of view of Jack, a five year old boy with an unusual speaking style. I knew that Jack and Ma were being kept prisoner by Old Nick, but that Jack doesn’t see it that way, since Ma is simply amazing about playing with him, teaching him, keeping him safe. I knew that eventually they do escape, but that Outside is scarier than Room for Jack. Room he understood, Outside he doesn’t.

So I was prepared. The story is so original and Jack’s voice so unique, but I wasn’t struck by that, I expected it. The plot itself, was fairly simple. Full of determination, hope, love, but still not complex. The characters were amazing people, especially Ma, but I think that Jack as the narrator kept me at a distance from them. The story was a quick read, but I didn’t actually care about the people.

I did like the sense of hope the ending provided, but overall I wasn’t struck by the book. It’s not one I’ll be recommending to people. I’m glad I read it, simply because it is so popular, but I didn’t love it. I’m in the minority though it seems, so maybe you’ll find it’s the best book you’ve read this year. It just wasn’t for me.

336 pages
File size: 447 KB
Published September 13, 2010 by Little, Brown and Company

3 out of 5 stars

Purchase at Amazon or an Indie bookstore.

I purchased my copy and the above is my honest opinion.

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