Joel’s review of Room > Likes and Comments
1200 likes · Like
Joel -- very well written review and in my opinion spot on.
I just finished EL&EC, I thought it was ok. I have only started reading Room, and really appreciate this review, I really dislike 'reviews' that just say what happens, I don't want to know what happens in this book, util it happens. But I did wnat a sense of what I was getting into, and that I got, thanks. I need to find some serious reading time though, so I can get through more then a page or two at a time.
I very much enjoyed your review -- and mad props for incorporating the notion of the "Magical Negro". Well said. :)
extremely loud and incredibly close wasnt as muh "annoying " as it was confusing. i get that a 9 yr old was telling it, but there was no logic to it. the format was awkward too... i had to put it down.
so far... ROOM seems very good.
Joel, great review. I was also put off by Room by the reasons you mention in your review, and ended up giving it 5*.
BTW, I also gave 5* to Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. Best book for 2012 for me so far.
thanks for the comment. EL&IC didn't work as well for me but i still liked it somewhat... i actually had more of a problem with the adult characters in that one than the child narrator. i think it was ultimately too similar to JSF's other book, Everything is Illuminated.
I just wanted to add: Ma is named... her name is Sharon.
Samantha wrote: "I just wanted to add: Ma is named... her name is Sharon."
oh, thanks... i guess i forgot by the time i wrote my review, since she is only called that when jack overhears another adult do it.
Alana wrote: "You lost me at "I haven't read Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close but it's probably annoying." I happened to love that book and character dearly. Oh well. I haven't read Room but it probably is obno..."
you have the wrong, possibly jaded opinion of the room... sorry alana
Your review is exactly what I thought of the book, I wish I'd just read yours then I wouldn't have been trying to put into words what I thought.
Your review captures ALL the elements that make this such an extraordinary book. I see that you are one of the "reviewers" not the star givers. Keep up the good work! You seem to have a great deal of insight and the courage to put it into words. Thanks!
thank you for the kind words, gary. i am glad you enjoyed the review.
Just finished this and actually got EL&IC next on my bookshelf to read, what a coincidence. I loved Jack's naive take on the world, but for some unexplainable reason I didn't like the way it was told...
Lovely review without giving away too much. Now you've made me want to go get this book!
This book is stunning! What a hommage to maternal love, when almost all else is stripped away. This book was one of the reasons I decided to have a child. I wanted to experience that bond. To know what it feels like. The copy I was loaned back in 2010 had the following words on the back cover: 'A book to read in one sitting. When it's over you look up: the world looks the same but you are somehow different and that feeling lingers for days'. Too true.
Well said Sir! I had the same thoughts, I am glad I put my ego aside as well and gave this book a shot.
I have yet to read the whole book, but I am on page 214 and I'm totally bored with the premise and annoyed by the narration. I read the first paragraph of your review and thought that was where you should have left it, because that describes the book perfectly. This kid bounces back and forth from narrating like a 5-year-old to sounding like a full grown adult with much clarity--too much so for a child in his position with a mother who went into this imprisonment when she was just 19.
Your first assessment was correct: pure gimmickry for the easily impressed.
I didn't find young Jack obnoxious either, but realistic? Unfortunately not even a bit for me - though I seem to be in a minority.
Your review started off as totally narcissistic and arrogant but you redeemed yourself in the end. Good review
I couldn't agree more. I was surprised on how into it was trying to talk like a 5 year old in my head, but it made me laugh many times!
I agree with you when you say that it perfectly captures the child's mind. The way the writer shows how he tried to interpret everything going on around him in this "new world" was amazing. It was easy to understand everything that was going on in Jack's POV and understand why and how he was so confused. The author makes the story seem so real by all the good details presented in the story.
I have to agree...I started reading "extremely loud and incredibly close" but I haven't finished it. The narrator is kind of annoying. But I couldn't put "room" down. It's beautifully written and such a great read!
I just read this book and loved it very much. Going in I wasn't aware of it being in his perspective and at first thought it wasn't going to flow well and was very pleasantly surprised. Just read your review and just wanted to let you know that I have read Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, and in my opinion it is also one of the exceptions. Jonathan Safran Foer did an amazing job with it and I highly recommend it!
I have heard complaints from various people that the child goes between sounding 5 and 25 in narration at times but I have heard nothing else but good things about this book! It's at my school's library so I'll have to give it a try. Slammerkin by this author stunned me so if this book is anything close the the writing in Slammerkin then I'm sure I'll be impressed.
Thanks for not saying anything about the plot. Not because it would bother me to know something about the book, but because Goodreads does that for us already. I can't understand why everyone feels compelled to reiterate the plot in his or her review.
Yes I love how we were able to enter Jack's mind and understand exactly why he felt the way he did, which would have been confusing for people who weren't in his head, even Ma, especially Ma who already knew of the outside world and found Room to be Hell, not able to understand it was not only home for Jack but all he knew.
completely agree with your views upon this book. The author should be highly praised for her interpretation of a 5 year olds mind and making it digestible for a reader. I absolutely agree that she perfectly calculated and wrote a piece that embodies a 5 year old boy without making her piece too simplistic. The jumbled mind of the boy flows fluently with the situation of the book, although it juxtaposes the main situation by toning down the danger as he can't fully understand what's going on . What I truly love about reading from the mind of the boy is his interpretation and views of what he sees and captures in his learning brain. You state how what truly grabbed you is the molding of Jack's growing mind. His perception changes overall situations of the story which some points heightens the overall effect of how Jack's point of view may be wild, it perfectly captures the story arch. I felt that I would get lost within his crazy descriptions but instead, his view created a simplicity that is heightened by his crazy understanding of the world. When we enter his mind, we're learning along with him which enables the reader to label certain settings with words just like Jack. He labels items with certain names which allowed me to understand and see imagery of exactly what Jack was thinking. It does feel sad at some points, as Emma sort of works in truths upon the world. Although Jack can't understand it, it's a reveal for the reader and teaches upon the truth of relationships between our parents and certain situations that would take a mature person to fully grasp. The idea of Ma being kidnapped has never been fully grasped by Jack which creates a sad effect throughout the beginning but also shows the authors understanding of writing from point of view. I do agree with you that the book is more of a heart over mind, by objecting Jack to certain mature situations. By reading from his point of view, were forced to feel his inability to understand what's going on which allows us to feel the emotions implied through Emma's writing. I purely love the experience of being forced to try to grasp and understand a certain situation as usually with readings, our protagonist can decode a situation and lead to a solution. With Jack, he can't figure out what to do or how to control himself which creates a new element for the story.
Completely agree!! Living with a 5 year old currently it really amazed me how spot on Emma was with her narration, she really captured the essence of a 5 year old’s mind while still making it an enjoyable read for adults. A truly magnificent feat!!
would you like to suggest me a topic or title because i'm doing my thesis on this book....?
Great review! I felt the same way but I’m not able to put it into words as well as you did
This book grabs you in a different way and who doesn’t like to be grabbed by an interesting and intelligent read!
Couldn’t get past the first few pages once I saw that this gimmicky style was most of the book.
Your review nailed it. Was also hating it a bit in the beginning until it made sense why Jack was narrating the story. Absolutely a great yet very sad read
back to top
date
newest »
newest »
Joel -- very well written review and in my opinion spot on.
I just finished EL&EC, I thought it was ok. I have only started reading Room, and really appreciate this review, I really dislike 'reviews' that just say what happens, I don't want to know what happens in this book, util it happens. But I did wnat a sense of what I was getting into, and that I got, thanks. I need to find some serious reading time though, so I can get through more then a page or two at a time.
I very much enjoyed your review -- and mad props for incorporating the notion of the "Magical Negro". Well said. :)
extremely loud and incredibly close wasnt as muh "annoying " as it was confusing. i get that a 9 yr old was telling it, but there was no logic to it. the format was awkward too... i had to put it down.so far... ROOM seems very good.
Joel, great review. I was also put off by Room by the reasons you mention in your review, and ended up giving it 5*.BTW, I also gave 5* to Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. Best book for 2012 for me so far.
thanks for the comment. EL&IC didn't work as well for me but i still liked it somewhat... i actually had more of a problem with the adult characters in that one than the child narrator. i think it was ultimately too similar to JSF's other book, Everything is Illuminated.
I just wanted to add: Ma is named... her name is Sharon.
Samantha wrote: "I just wanted to add: Ma is named... her name is Sharon."oh, thanks... i guess i forgot by the time i wrote my review, since she is only called that when jack overhears another adult do it.
Alana wrote: "You lost me at "I haven't read Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close but it's probably annoying." I happened to love that book and character dearly. Oh well. I haven't read Room but it probably is obno..."you have the wrong, possibly jaded opinion of the room... sorry alana
Your review is exactly what I thought of the book, I wish I'd just read yours then I wouldn't have been trying to put into words what I thought.
Your review captures ALL the elements that make this such an extraordinary book. I see that you are one of the "reviewers" not the star givers. Keep up the good work! You seem to have a great deal of insight and the courage to put it into words. Thanks!
thank you for the kind words, gary. i am glad you enjoyed the review.
Just finished this and actually got EL&IC next on my bookshelf to read, what a coincidence. I loved Jack's naive take on the world, but for some unexplainable reason I didn't like the way it was told...
Lovely review without giving away too much. Now you've made me want to go get this book!
This book is stunning! What a hommage to maternal love, when almost all else is stripped away. This book was one of the reasons I decided to have a child. I wanted to experience that bond. To know what it feels like. The copy I was loaned back in 2010 had the following words on the back cover: 'A book to read in one sitting. When it's over you look up: the world looks the same but you are somehow different and that feeling lingers for days'. Too true.
Well said Sir! I had the same thoughts, I am glad I put my ego aside as well and gave this book a shot.
I have yet to read the whole book, but I am on page 214 and I'm totally bored with the premise and annoyed by the narration. I read the first paragraph of your review and thought that was where you should have left it, because that describes the book perfectly. This kid bounces back and forth from narrating like a 5-year-old to sounding like a full grown adult with much clarity--too much so for a child in his position with a mother who went into this imprisonment when she was just 19. Your first assessment was correct: pure gimmickry for the easily impressed.
I didn't find young Jack obnoxious either, but realistic? Unfortunately not even a bit for me - though I seem to be in a minority.
Your review started off as totally narcissistic and arrogant but you redeemed yourself in the end. Good review
I couldn't agree more. I was surprised on how into it was trying to talk like a 5 year old in my head, but it made me laugh many times!
I agree with you when you say that it perfectly captures the child's mind. The way the writer shows how he tried to interpret everything going on around him in this "new world" was amazing. It was easy to understand everything that was going on in Jack's POV and understand why and how he was so confused. The author makes the story seem so real by all the good details presented in the story.
I have to agree...I started reading "extremely loud and incredibly close" but I haven't finished it. The narrator is kind of annoying. But I couldn't put "room" down. It's beautifully written and such a great read!
I just read this book and loved it very much. Going in I wasn't aware of it being in his perspective and at first thought it wasn't going to flow well and was very pleasantly surprised. Just read your review and just wanted to let you know that I have read Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, and in my opinion it is also one of the exceptions. Jonathan Safran Foer did an amazing job with it and I highly recommend it!
I have heard complaints from various people that the child goes between sounding 5 and 25 in narration at times but I have heard nothing else but good things about this book! It's at my school's library so I'll have to give it a try. Slammerkin by this author stunned me so if this book is anything close the the writing in Slammerkin then I'm sure I'll be impressed.
Thanks for not saying anything about the plot. Not because it would bother me to know something about the book, but because Goodreads does that for us already. I can't understand why everyone feels compelled to reiterate the plot in his or her review.
Yes I love how we were able to enter Jack's mind and understand exactly why he felt the way he did, which would have been confusing for people who weren't in his head, even Ma, especially Ma who already knew of the outside world and found Room to be Hell, not able to understand it was not only home for Jack but all he knew.
completely agree with your views upon this book. The author should be highly praised for her interpretation of a 5 year olds mind and making it digestible for a reader. I absolutely agree that she perfectly calculated and wrote a piece that embodies a 5 year old boy without making her piece too simplistic. The jumbled mind of the boy flows fluently with the situation of the book, although it juxtaposes the main situation by toning down the danger as he can't fully understand what's going on . What I truly love about reading from the mind of the boy is his interpretation and views of what he sees and captures in his learning brain. You state how what truly grabbed you is the molding of Jack's growing mind. His perception changes overall situations of the story which some points heightens the overall effect of how Jack's point of view may be wild, it perfectly captures the story arch. I felt that I would get lost within his crazy descriptions but instead, his view created a simplicity that is heightened by his crazy understanding of the world. When we enter his mind, we're learning along with him which enables the reader to label certain settings with words just like Jack. He labels items with certain names which allowed me to understand and see imagery of exactly what Jack was thinking. It does feel sad at some points, as Emma sort of works in truths upon the world. Although Jack can't understand it, it's a reveal for the reader and teaches upon the truth of relationships between our parents and certain situations that would take a mature person to fully grasp. The idea of Ma being kidnapped has never been fully grasped by Jack which creates a sad effect throughout the beginning but also shows the authors understanding of writing from point of view. I do agree with you that the book is more of a heart over mind, by objecting Jack to certain mature situations. By reading from his point of view, were forced to feel his inability to understand what's going on which allows us to feel the emotions implied through Emma's writing. I purely love the experience of being forced to try to grasp and understand a certain situation as usually with readings, our protagonist can decode a situation and lead to a solution. With Jack, he can't figure out what to do or how to control himself which creates a new element for the story.
Completely agree!! Living with a 5 year old currently it really amazed me how spot on Emma was with her narration, she really captured the essence of a 5 year old’s mind while still making it an enjoyable read for adults. A truly magnificent feat!!
would you like to suggest me a topic or title because i'm doing my thesis on this book....?
Great review! I felt the same way but I’m not able to put it into words as well as you did
This book grabs you in a different way and who doesn’t like to be grabbed by an interesting and intelligent read!
Couldn’t get past the first few pages once I saw that this gimmicky style was most of the book.
Your review nailed it. Was also hating it a bit in the beginning until it made sense why Jack was narrating the story. Absolutely a great yet very sad read
I have yet to read this one, but your review makes me want to. Thanks!