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.
I loved ROOM, but I completely understand where you’re coming from. I had heard SO much hype and praise for Never Let Me Go before I read it, and I think that was to the book’s disadvantage. And, of course, everyone has different tastes in writing styles and stories. So, while I will continue to recommend this book…I definitely respect your opinion as well.
So many people love it. I just wasn’t one of them, I guess.
This is why I try to not read reviews. They tend to ruin books for me if they give too much away… So, if I know I am going to read something I either skip over it or wait a really long time before I read the book. Or, I do a mad dash to read the book before the reviews start!
I should really learn. So often, though, even if I know a lot about the book, I can still enjoy it. Maybe this one wouldn’t have worked for me even if I had known nothing about it. Too late to know now though.
Too bad that you didn’t like it as much as, well I did. But that is what books are for, to be loved, hated, talked about, and all that 🙂
And I can see it being a good book to talk about.
Sorry that this one didn’t grab you. Jack made the book for me – he just felt so real and engaging.
Jack was adorable, and it would have been an entirely different story from Maw’s point of view. I just could never really connect, I guess.
Sorry it didn’t work for you. The book started out slow for me, but I was hooked about halfway through.
Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t hate it, I just didn’t love it. And maybe it annoyed me sometimes.
Thanks for the honest review! I have this on in my TBR.
I hope you enjoy it!
I’ve been reading all the reviews and have added it to my wishlist, but only because everyone is talking about it. I think I may feel closer to what you did than to all the raves.
Well, I’ll be interested in seeing what you think when you get around to it.
Sorry you didn’t enjoy the book as much as you had wanted. I know sometimes you can know to much and the book losses its flavor some. 🙂 Very nice review.
It’s kind of like a movie with a twist ending that you’re seeing for the second time. It just doesn’t have the same impact.
I’m going to give this one a go someday. But I am thinking, that like you, I may already know too much about it by now. I may have to wait a while.
Yeah, I wish I had waited. Or maybe passed altogether.
yeah, I liked it better than you. I think knowing too much about the plot before you started it was not a good thing.
You’re probably right. It would have been hard to avoid it though.
Sorry this one didn’t work for you Carol. I have it but I’m waiting for a while to read it.
I intend to read it anyway but not now. It’s still in my wish list and I’m on a book-buying ban unless they are books I will read instantly.
Darlene and Alice –
Yeah, I really wish I had just waited a little while longer, maybe the reviews wouldn’t have been so fresh in my mind then.
Ok now I have a dilemma this is on my wishlist, but is it there due to all the hype and publicity I have seen and heard. Having read your review I have no idea if it is going to work for me or not! I certainly will not be rushing to locate a copy.
Yeah, I don’t know. You may love it. It just didn’t work for me.
I can completely relate to your feelings on this book. I liked the book, but I can’t rave about it like everyone else. Maybe it is because of all the hype. I don’t know.