Room in *~Can't Stop Reading~*

Sep 30, 2010 Stephanie *Eff your feelings* rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2013, horror, modern-lit

I listen to a lot of audio books…… I don’t have the time to sit down and read all the books I want. I’m a slow reader *sigh*, but along came the Ipod and the Audible and yay for me!

I don’t passively listen to books (unless I’m driving) It is always when I am actively doing something else, usually something quite boring like housework or grocery shopping. Or something that is not boring but is second nature like artwork. So, I’m listening to Room and something odd happens….. I want to sit down a I listen to a lot of audio books…… I don’t have the time to sit down and read all the books I want. I’m a slow reader *sigh*, but along came the Ipod and the Audible and yay for me!

I don’t passively listen to books (unless I’m driving) It is always when I am actively doing something else, usually something quite boring like housework or grocery shopping. Or something that is not boring but is second nature like artwork. So, I’m listening to Room and something odd happens….. I want to sit down and take a break from whatever I was doing at which point I would usually put on the TV, but I really didn’t want to because the darn book was so good, and the voice actors were equally as good. I had a dilemma here; I couldn’t justify sitting and listening. It was too weird. But I really wanted to sit down for a minute. ….and I didn’t want to stop listening.

I know, first world problem.

To Jack Room is all there is. It’s the world. He has no concept of anything beyond it. He knows there is an “outside” but he has no way of conceiving its’ true nature because he has never seen it, not even through a window. Room only has a sky light. Because it is only Jack and his Ma, everything in Room becomes his friend out of loneliness. There is no ‘the’ rug or ‘the’ sink; everything has a proper name like Rug, Sink, or Meltady Spoon.

Room is home for Jack but for his mother it is a prison. In reality, Room is a backyard shed that a psychopath named Nick tricks out with lead lined walls, central heat and air, refrigerator, stove, sink, bed and toilet. Everything a good psychopath needs to keep a sex slave alive in. Nick (old Nick to Jack) kidnapped Jacks’ Ma when she was a 19 year old college student and keeps her locked in the shed for seven years. She tries, early on, to escape but every attempt fails. When Jack is born she turns her focus on raising him and keeping him as safe as she can. But one day Old Nick does something that scares Ma and she comes up with a daring escape plan that relies on five year old Jacks’ bravery, to go out into the world he doesn’t believe is real.

I have had this book sitting in my library since it came out. I never felt I was in the mood for it, it seemed so depressing. But the other night, the book I was listening to finished and I still had to get through some really boring stuff and I had no way of getting to my computer to download anything. Room was there and I started listening. I’m glad I did.

A superbly written gem.
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Nov 06, 2014 Laura S rated it it was amazing

This book had me from the word go, the unique narrator and style and the emotion within. I really can't explain this book well but I really loved it and so glad I finally read it. ...more

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Feb 18, 2012 Maureen (Mews) rated it really liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I read this book in two days, which is saying something because these days it usually takes me about 2 weeks to finish a book. Although I almost didn't get past the first ten pages because I was so irritated at the writing style in the voice of the little boy. I had read that it was common for people to be put off slightly by the writing style but most said they got used to it within a few pages. I honestly didn't think I would get used to it though and felt a bit disappointed as I really wanted ...more

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Apr 09, 2012 Zingsho rated it really liked it

I loved the way the story lead me in the perspective of a boy. Innocent in it's ways and bright mind for a 5 year old kid. The subject was simple, yet showed me every emotion or expression in different situations that he was led to (the only place he had ever thought that world made up of was the room). I was literally punching the OLD Nick through the book imagining his face. The boy's mother is strong to hold on to her sanity for very long and her story brought me tears.

I love the mother who ...more

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Apr 09, 2012 Mimicha rated it really liked it

Interesting that I never thought about how much is altered after someone is held in captivity and how much they have to relearn physically

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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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Sep 23, 2010 Donna rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fiction

Read this book in one day. It was hard to put down. I kept thinking about the story even when I was finished.

Kidnapped, locked up in an unpenetrable shed, raped and having a child named Jack. Locked up for 7 years.

Very good book.

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Oct 01, 2010 Kelly rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-2011

Room was amazing. I've read it twice so far and it's on my to buy list.

It drew me in fast and didn't let me down at the end (although I would like to see a sequel!) ...more

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