Question #1: First impressions

[[deleted user]]

What were your first impressions of Room, and of Jack?

[Ashley]

This is one of my favourite books. I read it in print a few years ago and am revisiting it with the audiobook for the sake of this discussion. Initially, reading/listening to Jack was a bit exhausting. After awhile though, I considered that that was probably very deliberately done in order to have the reader feel some semblance of what Ma feels. Once I had come to that conclusion it felt more authentic to the very unique situation that Jack and Ma are in.

[Allison]

Ashley wrote: "This is one of my favourite books. I read it in print a few years ago and am revisiting it with the audiobook for the sake of this discussion. Initially, reading/listening to Jack was a bit exhaust..."

Ashley, I do hope you'll come out to see Emma Donoghue on the 28th this month. It sounds as if you are a big fan. Like you, I read this book shortly after it came out in 2010, and I liked it - especially the first half. My first impression upon finishing it was that it felt like two books in one: before the escape and after the escape.

I cannot even remember how I felt about the voice of Jack in this book ... like you, I am also going to reread it by listening to the audio. And then I will have to get back on this once my memory is refreshed! I'm also planning on watching the film. :)

[Eric]

I really enjoyed reading this book five years ago and, like Ashley, I listened to the audio version for this discussion. I was worried that I would quickly tire of listening to a little boy's voice for hours and hours but it actually somehow made the story seem more real.

I think I liked the second half better. It was interesting reading about Jack trying to navigate his way through Outside and things that we all take for granted like shoes and stairs and cars on the opposite side of the road knowing not to crash into us.

I also want to add that the biggest difference between five years ago when I read it and was entertained and now when I listened to it is that I now have a son and that made for quite the emotional experience; I can't imagine my son having to go through what Jack went through.

[Maureen]

Eric wrote: "I really enjoyed reading this book five years ago and, like Ashley, I listened to the audio version for this discussion. I was worried that I would quickly tire of listening to a little boy's voice..."

It's been a long while since I've read the book as well--just prior to Emma Donaghue's first visit to Oakville, I believe. At the time, I recall it being an impressive though harrowing read and it must've been difficult to re-visit as a young parent! I'll need to get a refresher on the book as well--gave my copy away! :-)

[ebookclassics]

I'm very curious to hear what other readers in the group think of Jack. I haven't started Room yet, but one of the reasons I've held off on reading the book is the mixed reviews I've heard of Jack as a child narrator. The Bear by Claire Cameron is an example of a book I read with a child narrator that I struggled with and found distracting, and I wondered if I would have the same difficulties with Room.

[Susan]

ebookclassics wrote: "I'm very curious to hear what other readers in the group think of Jack. I haven't started Room yet, but one of the reasons I've held off on reading the book is the mixed reviews I've heard of Jack ..."
I understand your troubles with a child narrator, as I experienced this with Jack. It took me awhile to get used to his voice, and I sometimes wished the author would get on with the story in an adult voice. But I came to appreciate Jack's voice, and admire Emma Donoghue's brilliance in entering the mind of a five-year-old. I can't imagine how else the reader could have come to appreciate Jack's experience in Room. No amount of psycho-analysis by an adult could have given the reader such insight into Jack's mind.

Like Eric, I read the book several years ago, and am just now listening to the audio version, which is so well done. In many ways, it's easier to listen to the voice of a small boy, rather than read it. He comes alive and I really feel like I know him. Through my second reading (or listening), I have come to admire how Ma raised Jack in Room. Her resilience, strength and intelligence shine through.

[Kate]

I enjoyed it a lot more this go around than the first time four or five years ago. I remember being really frustrated and feeling that the book seemed more like an experiment or gimmick. This time I appreciated it a lot more.

[Susan]

When I first heard about the plot of Room, I didn't think I could bear to read it. I couldn't stand to think about the abuse that I imagined the young woman would suffer, and the thought of a young child witnessing the abuse was difficult to deal with. After talking to several readers of the book, I decided I could and should read it, and I'm glad I did. While the voice of a five-year-old took some getting used to, I quickly came to be fascinated by Jack and how he had adapted (through his mother's perseverance and ingenuity) to life in an 11X11 foot room.

I appreciated that the plot did not dwell on the abuse, and that Ma found a way to shield Jack from it for the most part.

[Allison]

I agree, Susan, with your comment about the audio. Jack really does come alive when you can hear him and I appreciated this version very much.

On the flip side however, I found myself getting a bit irritated with the voice of Ma and pretty much the entire cast of characters in the second half. I found many of them to be incredibly insensitive. But Jack was brilliant and his voice seemed honest and true to that of a somewhat precocious five-year old child. I highly recommend listening to this book - if for nothing else than hearing the voice of Jack.

[Dana]

ebookclassics wrote: "I'm very curious to hear what other readers in the group think of Jack. I haven't started Room yet, but one of the reasons I've held off on reading the book is the mixed reviews I've heard of Jack ..."

I read this book last year and I enjoyed it. Honestly: I found Jack to be quite annoying, as most kids his age can be... But by the end, I realized that this was why the narration from his POV was so perfect if that makes any sense.

You can find hundreds of books with a female kidnapping storyline, but this book is so unique because of him. I thought the movie was really well done also.

[Allison]

Dana wrote: "ebookclassics wrote: "I'm very curious to hear what other readers in the group think of Jack. I haven't started Room yet, but one of the reasons I've held off on reading the book is the mixed revie..."

Dana, I think Ma also found Jack to be quite annoying ... so you are not alone. :)

Personally though I found Jack to be incredibly charming, rational, very literal, and pretty darned patient, no matter the circumstance, with the adults around him. An articulate little boy, which was maybe the one thing that made him seem older than his years. I cannot remember everything my children talked about and how they were when they were five, but I'm pretty sure that they did not have such elaborate reasoning and coping skills.

[Jennifer]

I agree with Susan about not being sure about the plot. I hate to think of something like this actually happening, but it has. However a friend told me that the book was from Jack's perspective and has someone who has never been outside, the plot was not as scary as I thought. Although I hesitate to see the film version as I feel that it might have more impact seeing it on screen as opposed to reading it.

[Dana]

Allison wrote: "Dana wrote: "ebookclassics wrote: "I'm very curious to hear what other readers in the group think of Jack. I haven't started Room yet, but one of the reasons I've held off on reading the book is th..."

That's one of the reasons I liked the Ma character so much, it was so "realistic". Can't forget she was fairly young and had to deal with all of this PLUS a child...yikes.

To further what Jennifer said, I thought the fact that the book wasn't too graphic is what made it good. The sensitive topics weren't forced in our face, a lot of it was left to the imagination. I really enjoyed the film version! They stayed very true to the book, I would give it a shot if you liked the book :) Great casting choices I thought.

[Susan]

Dana wrote: "Allison wrote: "Dana wrote: "ebookclassics wrote: "I'm very curious to hear what other readers in the group think of Jack. I haven't started Room yet, but one of the reasons I've held off on readin..."
I admired Ma very much as well, Dana. She was so strong and resilient. Given that she was 19 when she was kidnapped, she coped with her situation amazingly well. She intelligently taught Jack about their world, so it seemed natural to him. I'm not sure I could have been so imaginative in a similar situation.

And I agree that the movie was a terrific adaptation of the book, and not too upsetting. On my second reading of the book, I'm noticing so many details that the movie makers got just right, and of course many that couldn't make it to film, as is always the case.

[Allison]

Dana wrote: "Allison wrote: "Dana wrote: "ebookclassics wrote: "I'm very curious to hear what other readers in the group think of Jack. I haven't started Room yet, but one of the reasons I've held off on readin..."

Good point about Ma being so young and managing her situation! I think on paper she definitely reads young, but in the audio she sounds too mature, and that kind of annoyed me. I have yet to see the film, which i will do as soon as i finish the audiobook. I'm looking forward to it. :)

[Ashley]

Susan wrote: "When I first heard about the plot of Room, I didn't think I could bear to read it. I couldn't stand to think about the abuse that I imagined the young woman would suffer, and the tho..."

Definitely! As a bookseller, I handsell quite a few copies of Room and always, people are hesitant, thinking it will be too dark, too scary, but ultimately, I think it's a very uplifting story.

[Ashley]

I read this book a few years ago, but I think I was surprised when I realized the book was from the perspective of the child. I just wasn't expecting that. Even now, I think its a really interesting choice, because we often focus so much attention on the kidnapped woman, and it's our expectation to read from an adult perspective. I can see how it was frustrating though, and I'm sure at times I also was tired of Jack's perspective - because we "know better," and Jack's naiveté is a difficult aspect to negotiate.

[Ediesmith]

When I first received Room to read, I was surprised as it was, at that time, presented as a mature YA read. I quickly realized that the content, clarity of writing and strong characterization was going to make it a bestseller. These novels stick with you... Which is why I could not see the movie! I wondered for years how Jack would evolve as an adult, but ultimately felt that he would be ok because he knew he was loved. In a Q&A in an article from The Economist, Donoghue said that she wanted to explore the themes of mother-love, certainly Room is a testament to this. LMS

[Emily]

Ediesmith wrote: "When I first received Room to read, I was surprised as it was, at that time, presented as a mature YA read. I quickly realized that the content, clarity of writing and strong characterization was g..."

Oh, you need to see the film! It is so beautiful.

[ebookclassics]

Thank you for everyone's comments about Jack as a child narrator! I have to admit, I still find it distracting but I'm trying to focus on the story. I have a 5-year old and I find myself thinking about him and his innocent perspective of the world when I think about Jack.

[Karen]

Susan wrote: "When I first heard about the plot of Room, I didn't think I could bear to read it. I couldn't stand to think about the abuse that I imagined the young woman would suffer, and the tho..."
I was not able to read the book until years after publication, for the same reason. When the film was released, I thought the marketing glossed over the horror of the story. I finally tackled the book and film, in that order. I thought the film was a better representation of the book than I expected.

[Karen]

ebookclassics wrote: "I'm very curious to hear what other readers in the group think of Jack. I haven't started Room yet, but one of the reasons I've held off on reading the book is the mixed reviews I've heard of Jack ..."

I've listened to the audiobook version of both these titles. A child's voice as narrator takes a bit of getting used to, even for someone who reads/listens to a lot of juvenile fiction. I think both authors intended their story to unfold through the perspective of the children involved.

[Karen]

Emily wrote: "Ediesmith wrote: "When I first received Room to read, I was surprised as it was, at that time, presented as a mature YA read. I quickly realized that the content, clarity of writing and strong char..."

I was skeptical about the film too but glad I saw it in the end.

[Allison]

Karen wrote: "ebookclassics wrote: "I'm very curious to hear what other readers in the group think of Jack. I haven't started Room yet, but one of the reasons I've held off on reading the book is the mixed revie..."

Thanks for your comments, Karen. As much like a child the narrator of Room sounds, I hear that it's a she and that she's actually an adult, pretending to be a child. Totally fooled me!

[Rocio]

I never read the book or watch the movie, althought I was very curious about it. Now I am listening to the audiobook and I have to say that I have a constant knot in my throat, the whole time I am listening to it. I find the story extremely sad, more so knowing that the inspiration for the author was a real case in Austria. As some other reader mentioned, having two young children doesn't help. I am looking forward to reaching the second part because from what I heard from you it could be a bit more uplifting. The voice of the boy doesn't bother me at all, I find it quite credible and cute.

[Allison]

Rocio wrote: "I never read the book or watch the movie, althought I was very curious about it. Now I am listening to the audiobook and I have to say that I have a constant knot in my throat, the whole time I am ..."

Rocio, I didn't realize that the book was based on a real case in Austria. How sad! I just watched the movie last night, and having some real visuals (in particular, the actual size and state of room) had a profound impact on me. It really brought some things to life for me.