Sunday, January 16, 2011

Book review: Room

November's book club choice was Room by Emma Donoghue. I LOVED this novel and I think it took me record time to complete the book; I could NOT put it down! At once point I literally could not read fast enough to find out what would happen! It was similar to sitting at the edge of your seat during an intense part of a movie!

Writing this review is difficult because I don't want to give anything away. Suffice it to say that the book is AMAZING!

The novel is unique because it's written by five-year-old Jack's perspective, and Room is his world. Jack was born in Room; it's where he eats, sleeps, and plays. He's a highly intelligent five-year-old with a great imagination, which is credit to his mother, known only as Ma, since Room has been her prison for seven years.

It's not Jack's mother's choice to live in the windowless 11-by-11-foot space; she was kidnapped and imprisoned in the room when she was nineteen years old. Her captor, Old Nick, brings the pair food and necessary items on Sundays, and occasionally "visits" Ma late at night while Jack sleeps in Wardrobe.

Ma tries to give Jack as normal of a life as she can. She teaches him songs, how to read, and makes up exercises to keep his muscles toned and healthy. They do have a television, but she limits their time watching it. Because Jack was born in Room, Ma tells him that things like trees, birds, animals, and cars exist "outside" which he believes to be another planet, or "outer space".

But soon after Jack’s fifth birthday, Ma realizes she can’t raise him in confinement forever and forms an awful, desperate plan for escape.

I can't say any more. You will not be disappointed in this novel. Enjoy!

No comments:

Post a Comment