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Room is a wonderful story, told from the point of view of a 5 year old boy as he is introduced to the "real" world. His first five years were spent in an 11x11 foot room with his mother. His entire existence consisted of the items in the room and what his mother taught him. They did have some books to read, and watched some television. But, he did not realize all of those things he read about - trees, mountains, boys & girls, animals, friends, etc - were actually REAL. The only person he has eve
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So scared to read this one.....
Okay, finished and it was an excellent book. The crime was not the issue, the relationship and the day-to-day existence of the young woman and her now 5 year old son is the focus. The first third is about their life in the "room", how they live, how she keeps him occupied and educated and healthy. The last 2/3 is about what happens next. The author captures all the different facets of their relationship. It is written from the little boy's point of view, so no terr ...more
Okay, finished and it was an excellent book. The crime was not the issue, the relationship and the day-to-day existence of the young woman and her now 5 year old son is the focus. The first third is about their life in the "room", how they live, how she keeps him occupied and educated and healthy. The last 2/3 is about what happens next. The author captures all the different facets of their relationship. It is written from the little boy's point of view, so no terr ...more

I expected this book to be scarier than it was. The premise is horrifying - a child raised for the first five years of his life in a single 11 x 11 room with only his mother. Never going outside. Never knowing that a world outside "room" exists. However, this book is not horrifying. It is a story of amazing love and resilience. I would recommend this book to an adult or even a high school student.
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Well, a very interesting and thought provoking book. In the sense that there is so much one could not possibly think about in relation to someone whose life is spent hidden in a small space at the hands of an abductor. The characters are really well developed and real, as are the issues we are introduced to. The main character, a little boy, is at once so smart and so innocent, as well as brave, and his mom, is made of superhuman stuff....Great read!

I read this for my book group and I couldn't put it down. It is such a compelling story that I was willing to overlook the sometimes annoying interplay between the child and his mom. Most of the time having a five year old tell the story not only works but provides an unusual perspective that was very real and believable. It is a must read in my opinion.
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Very unsettling, but hard to put down. (in this regard, it reminds me of The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold). Thought provoking in ways that I wasn't expecting.
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This book is soooo good! I didn't want it to be finished! To get full enjoyment this book should be listened to-the narration is beautiful!
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One of the most affecting books I've had the chance to read.
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I thought everything was well done in this book, with the exception of Ma's actions that did not consider her son once they got into the real world. I do not want to be a spoiler. I liked it very much. Topical and thought provoking.
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This is one of the most profound, gripping, and cathartic books I have read. I had tears in my eyes throughout the reading, which was a first to me. The little boy, Jack, was so real and his love for Ma so strong that this alone propelled me to the end. If you enjoy books that introduce you to real, dynamic, and interesting people who go on journeys of revelatory power, read this one. Now.

One of those books you don't want to keep reading, but can't put down. And how many toys do we really need?
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Feb 04, 2011
Owlish
added it