Room
Bookpage Interviews and Reviews
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Life behind a locked door
Imagine living within the confines of a 12x12 room, the only natural light coming from a skylight, a television your only link to the outside world.
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The dark corners of research that inspired ‘Room’
I always knew I wanted my novel Room to work on two levels: as a universal, almost fairy-tale story about love between mother and son, and as a totally realistic child’s-eye account of
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Reader Reviews
RoomThis one was a hard one to read.......especially since it has actually occured several times. Unbelievable though it seems......people do survive! Living in a 25 sq. Ft room, never venturing outside,seems fictional.....would love to read a follow up book.......for sure!!!!
GrippingWhat hold could Old Nick have over Ma that would make that room her world? Why didn't she just leave? Or maybe she wasn't able to leave?
Jack's fifth birthday definitely wouldn't be what a normal five-year-old would be delighted with, but Jack was happy to spend the day with his Ma in their ordinary, same-as-always routine. They spent every day in the "room" with the food and clothing that Old Nick provided for them.
Ma doesn't allow Old Nick to see Jack but she never tells Jack why. Ma and Jack's days are creatively spent inventing things, measuring everything in the room that has been Ma's space for the past seven years, reading books and changing the characters to suit them, and watching the clock so they know when it is time to eat or sleep. They never leave their "room," and Jack really doesn't know any better or know anything about the outside world except what his Ma tells him when they read books.
As much as Ma tries to protect and shelter Jack, he begins to question what is beyond the walls they live in. Ma tries to divert Jack's attention to other things, but sometimes it is unavoidable......especially the night when Jack overheard a conversation between Ma and Old Nick about him and the life Old Nick provides for her.
One comment made by Old Nick that stuck in my mind was: "I don't think you appreciate how good you've got it here," "Do you?" Page 69 To me that would be highly questionable....how good could life be simply living in a room and never going outside?
I grew to hate Old Nick and how he treated both of them. When you find out the "whole" story, you won't want to stop reading.
This book is about fear, abuse, control, a mother's love, and wanting the best for your child. At first you may want to put the book down, but don't do it....you will share Ma's feelings of fear for Old Nick and her dependence on him and also the heartbreak of Jack's acceptance of the only life he has known. You will fall in love with sweet, innocent, literal Jack, and you will think about both characters and their experience long after you turn the last page.
To me this was actually a "creative" thriller...excellent storyline. I really liked the book. 5/5
A Room with a view for readers!incredible insightI would love to read a sequel to this book that would delve into what happened next. How did mother and son handle separation that was inevitable? How did they handle the relationship with her parents? the court trial of her kidnapper? did she move on with her life? did he? So many questions, but the author was brilliant, she ended it with the reader wanting more.
After reading "Room"After reading few pages of "Room" I had to put the ebook for awhile. I could not continue reading. I had to convince myself, like a small kid, that this is just the book. This novel made me a better parent, made me a better woman. I don't want to sound too dramatic. But I have felt so mach vanity in me, in my way of living, thinking. I wish that the kids arround the world would end sufferring. Surprisingly, we have to go through so much "check ups" and trouble while we are getting approved for the loans, and no check up to become a parent...
OH MY GOODNESSIndeed, Ms. Emma Donoghue knows how to write!!!!
Room is so intenese and exciting, that this old lady's heart was beating very fast while reading Jack's world in that Room.
I had to force myself to stop because 67 year old eyes, just lose it at times.
Thank you for writing such a powerful look into such an experience.