Room

Jack is five years old and lives with his mother in the Room, which is his whole universe. Narrated in the first person, Jack tells about the pair’s life in the room and their daily routine of play, TV, cooking and cleaning and reading together. Sometimes at night, when Old Nick visits, Jack has to sleep in the wardrobe and not come out until Old Nick has gone. Jack was born in the room, and has never known anywhere else. But after his fifth birthday something changes. Ma is no longer content to live in the room, and she needs Jack’s help to get out.

Based on famous abduction & captivity cases such as the “Fritzl” case, Emma Donoghue weaves an intriguing story of an unusual childhood, and of how “normal” relates to what we know and have been brought up with. After escaping from the room, Jack and his mother have to get adjusted to the outside world, which is a frightening and confusing place for Jack.

For me, the book worked in some parts and didn’t in others. Young Jack’s voice vacillates between childlike innocence and nearly-adult, with a great vocabulary one moment, and reverting to baby-ish the next. Whilst I understand this is to portray his developmental challenges, it came across as annoying and unbelievable at times. However, Jack’s challenge of expanding his horizons and adapt to the outside world was believable and well researched, and learning about his mother’s abduction and 7 years in captivity through the eyes of a child worked really well for me (which I believe wouldn’t have been the case had the mother told her own story).

All in all, this novel was an enjoyable and intriguing read (despite its rather grim subject matter), which kept me reading late into the night. 3 ½ stars from me.

I love this book. It's not my usual sort of read but for some reason it called to me from the shelf in my local booksellers and I'm so glad I decided to pick it up. I wasn't sure about the format at first, it's essentially just 5 long chapters of from 60 to 120 pages each with no real natural breaks and that is a little off putting especially if your life doesn't allow you time to read a whole book in one sitting. I personally don't like to leave a book mid chapter, I prefer to read to the end of the chapter before I go shopping/walk the dog/start dinner etc, but as it turns out once you get into it you don't even notice the lack of chapters you just race through it. And 5 year old Jack is such a gorgeous character and a genuine, honest to God, hero.

please add me as a friend xx please im begging you i wil do anything for madam xx

what the **** ??? what sort of video is this !!

this book sounds awesome ive never read it but the video is awesome

I have tried to recomend this book to many people, but the subject matter and the fact that it is written from a childs view has put them off. I am annoyed by this as the book is wonderful . It made me cry , smile and think and I believed that it was a child talking to me .

This was a huge literary success, shortlisted for the prestigious Man Booker Prize last year. I picked it up expecting fireworks...and was sorely disappointed. But of course, it could be just my own personal taste. I don't like it when an author forces his reader into the mind of a child. Certainly, this is very well done, but it is so...restrictive. And (to me) it felt forced...

I really liked this book. Very different that it is written from the child's perspective. It is quite touching. The author does a good job of speaking with Jack's voice. I recommend this book.

The book itself is well written, but I can't say I enjoyed it - it put me in a very sad place. Worse than the actual trauma endured by Jack and his Ma is the complete insensitivity that so many adults showed to a 5 year old that has been through a traumatic situation. Actually, I don't know how believable it is - if a child has been locked in a room his entire life, do you take him to a busy shopping mall within days of being free?

I have just finished ROOM and at first I thought I wouldn't enjoy it as it was completely different to the usual books I read, however it was AWESOME, a truly amazing story that tugs at your heart, mind and soul. The book is written through the eyes of a 5 year old wee boy who is sweet and innocent and has no idea of the big bad world outside. He is locked in a small world that is dominated by a routine that can only take place in a small room with his mum and the tv. Dora the Explorer plays a huge part in this little life and will make you look at things in a different way. You feel the pain that is within the mum and when they are released into the world you can imagine the turmoil they both go through. If you buy one book this year get this one you will not be dissappointed.

I found this book very frustrating to read at first, and I admit it was a struggle but I stook with it and would recommended it now - it is quite thought provoking.

I just finished this book and was amazed! It was a very sad and uplifting book at the same time. We've all read 'real' stories about things like this.........it gives great insite into how they deal with things like this. Loved this book

I loved this book but I'd love to know what others think? It's nominated for the Mann Booker. I hope it wins.