Room in Q & A with Emma Donoghue

Feb 25, 2011 Nicole rated it really liked it

Shelves: drama, book-club

"Room" is a book about the bond between a mother and son, and their survival in the room where "Old Nick" keeps them. At the beginning of the book, you're constantly wondering who Ma and Jack are, who "Old Nick" is, and how they got there. As you get to know the characters, you are sympathetic to their situation, and respect "Ma" for how deeply she cares for her son, and how she tries to make the best out of the situation they're in. And you also feel grateful for the life you have...and had as ...more

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Jan 18, 2011 Melissa Crytzer Fry rated it it was amazing

Wow. That pretty much sums up this novel by Emma Donoghue. Somehow, the author masterfully captures the voice and innocence of a five-year-old child, but in such a way that it’s still a captivating read for adults – and in such a way that we still clearly see the story of his mother, “Ma,” and hear her voice. This novel is, in my opinion, the quintessential example of the writing rule, “show don’t tell.” Magnificent example of accuracy in a character’s voice. Incredible, really.

I don’t think Don ...more

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Mar 07, 2011 Kim rated it it was amazing

Since "Room" by Emma Donoghue is one of the more popular books at the moment, a lot of you have probably heard the name and heard about it. Some of you may think because of the description that it would be too emotionally difficult to read. I was at first, scared to read it. Why would I want to read about this horrible thing? Thank Goodness a friend convinced me. Yes, it is a different kind of book. Not a happy topic- girl being kidnapped, held hostage many years, has a son and so on. I don't wa Since "Room" by Emma Donoghue is one of the more popular books at the moment, a lot of you have probably heard the name and heard about it. Some of you may think because of the description that it would be too emotionally difficult to read. I was at first, scared to read it. Why would I want to read about this horrible thing? Thank Goodness a friend convinced me. Yes, it is a different kind of book. Not a happy topic- girl being kidnapped, held hostage many years, has a son and so on. I don't want to go on or I will ruin the book. HOWEVER, the author is able to get across the anguish of the girls/woman's life while being held captive, without any explicit violent or sexual details. Instead, she focuses on: how the mother raises a boy in a 11 x 11 room, survival, mental tenacity, human relationships, and stories that touch on the darker side of mental health. All about a loving mom creating a happy environment for the child even in the worst of circumstances. It touched me and made me think about how much STUFF we really need in life to be happy. Not much if we have LOVE. Sometimes a book comes into your life when you need it most. This book is making me think about many things. Life- how we live it. My kids- how we teach them to live life and do much more.

The book is narrated by a 5 year old who was born and raised in this 11x11 room, a garden shed, that a man put his mom who he kidnapped 2 years before he was born. Making mom held hostage for 7 years. It took me a while to get use to the voice, the baby talk. Stay with it though because once you allow herself to get inside his 5 year old head, well, that is when you start thinking about things differently. The author said it best, "to frame this story through a mother's eyes "would be too obviously sad." To me, the author didn't want you to be sad for Jack because he was trapped in this room. She wanted you to ponder questions. Questions about love and materialistic things. What is really important in life? Questions about psychology, sociology and of course politics. With a few items the kidnapper provides her, the mom develops a routine for every day: Phys Ed, math, games, music, TV time (but mostly educational), Shakespeare, the bible, mother goose, manners and how to clean. The story focuses on how the mother educates, nurtures, loves and entertains her 5-year-old little boy in this one room while trying to stay sane herself. The 11x11 room is the only world he's ever known. To mom, the 11x11 room is a horrible place. A cell. To Jack, it is home. The only home he knows. Security, love, happiness, his life.
Of course, the book takes a turn, I don't want to ruin it, but more characters are introduced and the book extends beyond the 11x11 room. The author brings the story to a powerful ending that to me is the correct ending that leaves me pleased. You will not want to put it down.
Know that when you read this novel, by the end, you will have your own thoughts about the world we live in. To me, it was a very memorable novel presenting questions about real love, true love, what love really is.
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Feb 01, 2011 Digitalenviromentalist rated it liked it · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. INITIALLY, I WAS PLANNING to read this book in my white Kindle3G but I was lucky to grab a hardcopy from my favourite charity shop for 1 pound only! So, I spared a few schellings instead of purchasing its ebook version from Amazon. I was intrigued by the title and cover design of it, not to mention that this is one of the popular and recommended reads in GoodReads and to date, Room is still one of the best selling books in UK. Without a doubt, this book is also included in the 2011 Booklist of U ...more

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Jan 28, 2011 Anne Earney rated it really liked it

Shelves: audio-books

I listened to the audio version. At first, the child's voice bothered me, as did the monotony of life in Room. But about a third of the way in, the story got really good and after that I didn't want to stop listening. I'm sure if I'd read the book, I wouldn't have wanted to put it down. The subject matter is fascinating and the child's perspective provides just enough distance to make the more awful aspects of Jack and his mother's life palatable. Jack is an exceptionally observational child, wh ...more

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Jan 21, 2011 Ellie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: bournemouth-book-club, literary

I think one of the things that annoyed me most at the start is what makes this book great. The narrator turns 5 at the start of the book and the viewpoint is very much that of a small child. After a while, you start to ignore the poor grammar and the world as told by Jack becomes absorbing. I guessed the reason they were in Room pretty early on but it is a very unique view and very well done. May not be everyone's cup of tea but 5 stars for being different. ...more

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Mar 06, 2011 Rebekkila rated it it was amazing

Shelves: bookcrossing, award-winning-author, award-winning-books

This book is going to stay with me for a while, and that doesn't happen often. What impressed me most is that there were so many directions that the book could have gone and the way it was written was to me the best. She could have hated Jack for being half on Ole Nick's but it was the opposite. I like that she wasn't crazy and she was a fighter. I liked that Jack was a hero. I even liked that her father couldn't bear to be around Jack.
Great Book.
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Mar 04, 2011 Kewannah rated it liked it

It's so hard to follow this book when Jack is so stilted. His grammar is alternately impeccable and awful.

More than that though is his family's reaction to him in part 2. While I wanted to know what happened next, it was more out of curiosity than because I thought it was a gripping read. ...more

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Mar 05, 2011 Vanessa rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2011-challenge

I can't even put into words what I think of this book.
To say it's amazing seems to be underselling. This book is beautiful and shows strength and love,in both Jack & Ma. I could hardly bare to put the book down, and often found myself reading it out loud to my husband.I still find myself telling others about the book, and quoting it.
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Jan 06, 2011 Stacy rated it it was amazing

An amazing read. You find yourself stopping to think about just how poor little Jack saw his small little world within Room. How his life revolved around the friends he made in objects within that 11x11 room as well as his mother, to him the only other human in the world. Through a child's eyes, most things are still very innocent and simple. I would recommend this book highly to anyone, everyone. It is a fantastic book. ...more

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Feb 26, 2011 Jaimee rated it it was amazing

Amazing book...I was so emotionally attached to this book...although it was not an uplifting book- I loved every minute of it!

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Feb 07, 2011 Tracy rated it really liked it

I loved this book and found it amazing and also very perceptive - raises some great theoretical questions about how you would handle the situation.
Read by full www.ourbookclub.net.au book review at Room
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Feb 07, 2011 Jenny rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

Fabulous book...written from the perspective of a 5 year old. To quote the cover it was indeed "Darkly Beautiful". I read it for my book club and I can't wait for the discussion! ...more

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