Review: Room

Room by Emma Donoghue

Summary: To five-year-old Jack, Room is the entire world. It’s where he was born, where he and his Ma eat and play and learn. At night, Ma puts him safely to sleep in the wardrobe, in case Old Nick comes.

Room is home to Jack, but to Ma it’s the prison where she’s been held for seven years. Through determination, ingenuity, and fierce motherly love, Ma has created a life for her son. But Jack’s curiosity is building alongside Ma’s desperation — and she knows Room cannot contain either indefinitely. …

Told in the inventive, funny, and poignant voice of Jack, Room is a powerful story of a mother and son whose love lets them survive the impossible.

My Thoughts: My feelings on this book are mixed. There are things I loved about it, things I most definitely did not like, and plenty in between. I’m honestly reluctant to say too much about what I did not like, as I envision receiving some negative response to that. But, I’m gonna lay it all out there because I think it’s just something I wanna say.

But first, what I loved. I loved the narration done in the 5-year-old’s voice. It was understandable, and it was occasionally funny to see his initial reaction to things adults say and/or do. Having three young kids of my own, this voice was especially interesting for me to read. I think Donoghue did a fabulous job of capturing Jack’s feelings, thoughts, and persona.

The subject in general is disturbing: Girl gets kidnapped. Girl is imprisoned for seven years, during which she’s repeatedly raped. Girl (now Ma) has baby as result of said rapes, and does her best to raise baby as normally as possible. Ma and child (now Jack) find their way out of Room, and have to adjust to life outside. Ma is clearly much more eager to be outside Room, but Jack is scared to be Outside. That is understandable, given that Room is the only world he’s ever known.

Yes, the whole premise of the story is disturbing, but what bothered me most was Jack talking about “having some” – meaning breastfeeding. Before I go on, let me make something clear. I am most definitely a supporter of breastfeeding. All three of my children were breastfed until they were roughly 13 months old. It is an accomplishment of which I’m quite proud, and in general I don’t care how long someone else chooses to breastfeed her child(ren). That’s for her (and her kids) to figure out, not me. But, in this book, 5-year-old Jack is still breastfeeding, and I found it icky. Given the situation. Ma is locked up and has been for seven years. The only contact she has is her abductor and her son. While, yes, breastfeeding makes perfect sense, and even extended breastfeeding doesn’t generally bother me, it did in this case. Not that she breastfed, but that her son was still breastfeeding, and that it was at least once or twice per day. And then when she finally does put a stop to it, he kisses each breast to say good-bye. ICK. Gave me the creeps. I found this to be more disturbing than the premise of the story. I dunno. Wish I could figure out why, but I just cannot put my finger on it.

Overall, the story was quite interesting, and it’s a very interesting premise. The breastfeeding issue aside, I actually do like this story a lot. I thought the depiction of Ma’s parents (especially her father) once they are Outside is very good. Her father’s reaction to Jack, while painful, is something I could totally see. What man wants to think of what had happened to his Little Girl! Sad. I do wish that there was a bit more toward the end. I want to know how well they adjusted. Did Jack go to school the following year? How did he socially adjust? Did he learn to love Outside? What about Old Nick? Did he get life? I sure hope so! And what about Ma? What happens with her? Does her father come to terms with things?

Despite these questions and (again) my biggest issue with the story, this is a very well-written novel. The story is compelling, the voice is really unique and fun to read. Overall, I really enjoyed it.

My Rating: 3 stars

Source: Received through Crazy Book Tours for review.

Read It: You can get your own copy HERE. (This is an Amazon link, and purchase through this link will result in my receiving a small commission. Your support is appreciated!)

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FTC Disclosure: All items reviewed were either obtained by me for my own enjoyment or sent (from the author, publisher, publicist, via tour sites, etc.) in exchange for an honest review. I receive no monetary compensation for my posts. All opinions expressed are my own.

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