I found your review interesting, because I feel very much the same way when I can't like a character in a book I'm reading. I found this book disturbing, but thought that Mary was very realistic in terms of the way a young girl might change in the rough circumstances she faced. I thought she was likeable and sympathetic through most of the book, because it was obvious to me that she hated herself and didn't feel like she deserved to be any happier than she was. That was what I thought made her very real. I did find that the book infected me in a depressing way. Interesting to read a different take on it.

I thought the same about Mary, that she was never sincere. I was always wondering, is she crying because that will garner sympathy, or is she actually crying? Does she actually like working there, or is she faking?

I would find it terribly difficult if i was a woman in 2012 to relate to the primary character, yet i still found this novel readable. Do you find it limiting that you outwardly seek novels with character that mirror some aspect of yourself, or are self-reflecting in some sense? not being an ass, this always had me curious. Some of the best characters are mean, vapid, horrible things, yet they make for a good read. What set this one apart?

Hi Jason,
Good question. I don't think I set out to find characters that mirror some aspect myself (that would be near impossible). But I do tend to like stories a little better when the characters, no matter how mean or horrible they are, have something I can empathize with or connect to. Each person has dark and good sides, and I guess it's an opportunity for me to be introspective and see how I would respond to certain situations. I also look for character growth, and I think, for me anyway, I didn't think Mary's character was quite manipulative. While I think there are good uses for manipulation, at some point, you expect there to also be some growth or comeuppance or something at the end. I don't know. Maybe I'm just talking out of my ass. ;-)

agreed, and while i cant think of any examples (shame on me), i have read some characters that dont show any growth, and i think those are the sadder cases. their character development is caught in a recursive cycle. I was just making sure you werent the type to say "it was too sad and depressing, i couldnt relate so i hated the book". I just wanted to clarify that portion of your review. thanks for getting back to me. I havent read this one fully through, but ill give it a shot. Have you read any of her other stuff?

I'm sorry -I meant to say that Mary's character was quite manipulative but I was typing too fast, I guess.

I think Emma Donoghue is a good writer and I would read more of her books that struck my fancy, but I just haven't had a chance to.

I always try to read a book through even if I don't like it and always encourage others to do so since each person's take on things will be different and you could have a totally different experience from me or others.

I usually try to be as objective as possible when I'm reading, and will often base my rating on the writing, the story and how I felt about it. If I really don't like something I try to justify it in my reviews (if I wrote one, that is). Even with this book, even though I couldn't relate to the character, I did appreciate the writing and attention to detail given to the time period, so for me, it was just okay (a 2 according to Goodreads' rating system). My review was mainly limited to my lack of a connection, but in the grand scheme of things, that was quite minor compared to everything else.

i think ill pick it up again and finish it. try the room. its a very different novel. I feel in love with her writing style while reading that particular novel, and noted the various differences in style and structure when comparing the two books.

I will, thanks! I got it for Christmas and it's on my list. It was very controversial when it came out last year, I guess because of the subject matter. She's also had time to hone her skill, I think, by the time room came out so I would imagine there were quite a few differences.

DONT.. or at least try not to read any reviews on it ( i know its hard)... its one of those books i read in like two days without leaving my house just cause i had NO idea what i had gotten myself into. have you had any experience with joyce carol oates?

I agree with you that our girl Mary had few, if any, redeeming qualities. However, I think that was the point. This book was wonderful and horrible at the same time. Mary wasn't supposed to be the hooker with the heart of gold. She was a product of her environment: abused, turned out by her mother, emotionally "stunted," raped. She built up a wall around herself and the result was--- well, someone who is probably not much different than the modern-day tough prostitute who manipulates and works the streets for her own gain and/or drugs. Mary's character is the person who turns to crime every day (I work in local tv news so I often wonder what the 'story' is behind some of the mug shots we get, and something tells me many of them are modern-day Mary Saunders' stories). I liked this book a lot, found it deeply disturbing and probably a very realistic portrait of the day. I read "Room" first, and couldn't believe this was even the same author. "Room" is excellent. I read both books in less than a day.

Heather wrote: "I agree with you that our girl Mary had few, if any, redeeming qualities. However, I think that was the point. This book was wonderful and horrible at the same time. Mary wasn't supposed to be t..."

Hi Heather, great perspective. I will admit that I hadn't approached the story from that angle. So thanks for that!

And I do have room on my TBR pile. I've heard really great things about it!

Heather I liked your analysis a lot. I had put this one down and decided to read the room first. This one is surely going to the top of tbr books.