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Room

Emma Donoghue

Discussion: November/December 2010

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November/December 2010

Room - Emma Donoghue
By Stephanie · 7 posts · 23 views

last updated Mar 18, 2011 07:00PM

I'd Know You Anywhere - Laura Lippman
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last updated Mar 17, 2011 11:16AM

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What Members Thought

Feb 27, 2011 Sera rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: thriller-suspense, own, kindle

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I really enjoyed this interesting tale about a boy who lives in a garden shed, AKA "Room", with his mother. The most amazing part of the story for me was the mother's creativity in raising a child in a small space to ensure his intellectual and physical development. I found her to be an incredible woman, and who can't love, Jack? His innocence and purity ring clear throughout, and what makes the book interesting, is that the entire story is told from his perspective. Unfortunately, for me, that I really enjoyed this interesting tale about a boy who lives in a garden shed, AKA "Room", with his mother. The most amazing part of the story for me was the mother's creativity in raising a child in a small space to ensure his intellectual and physical development. I found her to be an incredible woman, and who can't love, Jack? His innocence and purity ring clear throughout, and what makes the book interesting, is that the entire story is told from his perspective. Unfortunately, for me, that also became a weakness of the book, because the reader is never able to get a full picture of what's going on with the other characters in the book. One example is when the mother tries to commit suicide after she and Jack escape from the Room. Why? I really wanted to know how she was feeling and what was going on inside her head. Sure, I was able to get some glimpses from side conversations and Jack's point of view, but I felt a bit let down in regard to this part of the storytelling.

Also, what's Nick's story? I have read much in this genre, and one facet that makes today's books in this area so compelling to read, is the insight that the author's give into what's going on in the psycho's head. I wanted to understand Nick a bit more, not only during the captivity part of the book but after he was caught and sent to jail, as well. The stand-off when Nick was arrested sounded like it was intense, but that's all we learn. I found it unfair to be teased in that manner.

Further, Jack's inability to fully understand and to see what's going on around him makes the characters who surround seem a bit underdeveloped to me. I think that the author took a big risk in telling the story from a child's perspective, and in many ways, she succeeded, but in others, she failed. I would have really loved this book if there was more thought put into the storytelling around the people who were around Jack.

All in all, I'm very happy that I read this book. It was gripping at times, unique and proceeded at a nice pace. I just thought that it felt short in some areas, which is why I can't put it in the same category as Fragile, The Last Child, or Still Missing among others.

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Jun 13, 2012 Olympia rated it it was amazing

I cried at the start of this book and at the end.A very powerhouse book told from the view of a five year old.
You are born into one room for five years its the only world you have known. Beautiful story.

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Aug 21, 2011 Helen rated it it was ok

I really gave this book about a 2 1/2 because I thought the concept of readjustment..and Adjustment
very interesting. For what ever reason I didn't have an emotional connection with any one in this story. Glad I read it tho as it did give me alot to think about and our group had a good discussion. ...more

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