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What Members Thought
I had some trouble getting into this at first. In fact, I almost stopped, due to the story being narrated in the childlike prattle of five-year-old Jack.
But I gave it another chance, and the story started to pick up a little. Then, it got really interesting.
I really admired how Jack's mom sacrificed herself and put so much effort and ingenuity into his development and nurture.
It wasn't an easy read, but I did like it and am glad I gave it another chance. ...more
But I gave it another chance, and the story started to pick up a little. Then, it got really interesting.
I really admired how Jack's mom sacrificed herself and put so much effort and ingenuity into his development and nurture.
It wasn't an easy read, but I did like it and am glad I gave it another chance. ...more
Audio book performed by Michal Friedman, Ellen Archer, Suzanne Toren & Robert Petkoff
Five-year-old Jack and his Ma have lived his entire life in a single Room, 11 ft x 11 ft, held captive by and dependent upon “Old Nick,” who grudgingly brings them groceries and “treats” (like aspirin). Sounds horrific. But to Jack, who has known nothing but Room, this is normal. He leads what he thinks is a full and active life. He and Ma have their routines, play games, make meals, clean, do Phys Ed, watch TV ...more
Five-year-old Jack and his Ma have lived his entire life in a single Room, 11 ft x 11 ft, held captive by and dependent upon “Old Nick,” who grudgingly brings them groceries and “treats” (like aspirin). Sounds horrific. But to Jack, who has known nothing but Room, this is normal. He leads what he thinks is a full and active life. He and Ma have their routines, play games, make meals, clean, do Phys Ed, watch TV ...more
Bottom line is that I did not really care for this book, I think probably more for the subject matter than anything else. Telling the story completely from the viewpoint of the 5-year-old Jack becomes grating after awhile. While it's interesting to see what Ma did to keep Jack occupied and stimulated both mentally and physically, I just wanted the story to move on. Same with Jack's voice. He has an incredible vocabulary and then mixes words up in a way that is just a little too cute. Sometimes I
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I read the synopsis of this book and was really dreading it. I don't like morbid stories, especially ones involving children and abuse, but I was really surprised with this book. It's told through the eyes of a 5 year old and it doesn't go into detail about what happens to the mom and there is no physical abuse that happens to the child. The story is really about how the 5 year old escapes and helps rescue his mother and how they acclimate to being in the real world. Considering the subject matt
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A very poignant read about a five-year-old, Jack, who has spent his entire life inside a 11X11 Room. Born there, and growing up there, he has a different view of life Outside. Told from his perspective, it is childlike, but he is advanced beyond his years to some degree. But when he and his mother manage to escape her abusive captor (Old Nick), life changes for both of them. It is truly a culture shock for him. After just completing A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard, it makes me appreciate how norm
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I didn't hate this book, but nor did I love it. I wasn't sure how I felt about it in fact. I couldn't really relate to any of the characters although I appreciated the clever use of the 5 year old narrator. It was a strange and eerie premise, and I was sure the whole book was going to be the story of this boy and his mother in the locked room, so I was quite glad that that only took us halfway. I have to admit, I couldn't stop reading it so I guess that should mean it was good. I wish I could gi
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This book starts off quietly, as the reader is immersed in the mind of a young boy and getting to know his reality (both as he sees it, and the terrible actuality of it). In the middle comes an escape and rescue scene that is action-movie intense. The last third of the book is part psychological study as we see the impact of the those first five years on the young boy, Jack, as well as their very different impact on his mother.
This is a pretty sensational story line, but I found it very well ex ...more
This is a pretty sensational story line, but I found it very well ex ...more
Jan 22, 2011
Charlotte (Buried in Books)
rated it
it was ok
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fiction
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I thought this book had a very happy ending and was very well written. The topic could have been extremely sad and depressing, and while it was sad, it was also uplifting. I was glad to read that while Jack and Ma suffered a great deal, they were given the tools and opportunity to create their own happy ending.
Some people reviewed that Jack was very immature, but I actually thought for his circumstances, he was very mature. I thought he had remarkable insight for taking care of things while Ma ...more
Some people reviewed that Jack was very immature, but I actually thought for his circumstances, he was very mature. I thought he had remarkable insight for taking care of things while Ma ...more
At first, it was very difficult for me to read "Room" because it is told from the point of view of a 5-year-old. Also, I felt that the beginning had a very slow start, and even after an exciting point, it still never really picked up.
I understand it is based off of an event that could truly happen, and it is very heartbreaking, but at the same time, I think I expected more out of the book.
It was also a reminder though of how easy the mind of a 5-year-old is to mold, and how naive and precious ch ...more
I understand it is based off of an event that could truly happen, and it is very heartbreaking, but at the same time, I think I expected more out of the book.
It was also a reminder though of how easy the mind of a 5-year-old is to mold, and how naive and precious ch ...more
I'm not a fan of this book, unfortunately, mainly due to being uncomfortable with the subject matter and the style of writing. It's strong issue being dealt in there but there are just times I felt like dropping it off but being myself, I can't not finish (very rarely anyway).
So I finished it and I think I quite like the way it's ended - it's a very rounded and therefore, I guess, provided closure to the whole story. ...more
So I finished it and I think I quite like the way it's ended - it's a very rounded and therefore, I guess, provided closure to the whole story. ...more
Sep 12, 2010
Juliana Philippa
marked it as to-read
Nov 06, 2011
Kate
marked it as to-read
Nov 13, 2012
Carol
marked it as to-read
Dec 26, 2012
Jane(Janelba)
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
books-read-in-2013
Jan 06, 2013
Vanessa Gayle ⚔️ Fangirl Faction
marked it as to-read
Oct 13, 2013
Christina
marked it as to-read
Nov 19, 2013
April
marked it as to-read
