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Room: A Novel
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Room: A Novel
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Room: A Novel
Audiobook10 hours

Room: A Novel

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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About this audiobook

NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE -- nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture

To five-year-old-Jack, Room is the world. . . . It's where he was born, it's where he and his Ma eat and sleep and play and learn. At night, his Ma shuts him safely in the wardrobe, where he is meant to be asleep when Old Nick visits.

Room is home to Jack, but to Ma it's the prison where she has been held for seven years. Through her fierce love for her son, she has created a life for him in this eleven-by-eleven-foot space. But with Jack's curiosity building alongside her own desperation, she knows that Room cannot contain either much longer.

Room is a tale at once shocking, riveting, exhilarating--a story of unconquerable love in harrowing circumstances, and of the diamond-hard bond between a mother and her child.
LanguageEnglish
Release dateSep 13, 2010
ISBN9781607886280
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Room: A Novel
Author

Emma Donoghue

Born in Dublin in 1969, and now living in Canada, Emma Donoghue writes fiction (novels and short stories, contemporary and historical including The Pull of the Stars), as well as drama for screen and stage. Room, was a New York Times Best Book of 2010 and a finalist for the Man Booker, Commonwealth, and Orange Prizes, selling between two and three million copies in forty languages. Donoghue was nominated for an Academy Award for her 2015 adaptation starring Brie Larson. She co-wrote the screenplay for the film of her novel The Wonder, starring Florence Pugh and distributed by Netflix.

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Reviews for Room

Rating: 4.051440496689927 out of 5 stars
4/5

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  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I loved this book. Haunting tale from the eyes of a 5 year old that does not know the world is any different.

    2 people found this helpful

  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    While I stayed engaged through the entire novel, I closed the back cover feeling cheated--and maybe even violated. The first half hooked me because the main characters are prisoners of a sadistic man, and I had to keep reading because I cared about their well-being even if I didn't at all care for the story. During the second half I read to learn how they recover, but I felt very much like the paparazzi the book disparages. In the end, the love between mother and son triumphs despite severe abuse. Okay, that's fine. But, really, I'd like something more from a book.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    After reading such good praise about it, I was disappointed.

    What really bothered me was that why didn't 'Ma' just try out all the combinations on the keypad until it worked? If there was something preventing her from doing so, then it should have been explained.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I can see why this book is generating so much buzz. It is the story of a five year-old boy, born to a woman held in captivity within the 11 x 11 walls of "Room" since age 19. The boy, Jack, has never left Room in his life. He doesn't even know to question that a world exists beyond its walls. His Ma has created a fun, intricate world for Jack with what she has to give, but when they are sprung from captivity, even she questions what she could have done differently. This is told in Jack's voice, and it is unforgettable.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    OMG. Holy Shit! This was ah-mazing! Utterly Amazing!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Room by Emma DonoghueThis is the story of five year old jack and his Mother. He talks about his life, in "Room" which is home to him. He does not understand his "Ma" was abducted and held captive by "Old Nick" in the tiny room for years. One day Ma decides to try to escape with her son. Jack really is not sure what this means. Ma knows it is risky but is willing to do what ever she can to protect her son.A heart felt emotional story, which moves at a fast pace. Told through the voice of young Jack, in his sheer innocence and naivete. To him living in "Room" is normal, which in reality is truly heartbreaking. "Ma" tries the best she can to make life normal for the love of her son, which is what a Mother would want for her child.Overall I found Room an emotional, yet satisfying read. Although the reality of what Jack and Ma go through is depressing, the love they have for each other is endearing and heartwarming. I recommend to those who love emotional/drama.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    At first I did not like the style in which this book was written, but after awhile it sucked me in. The story is of awful events, but the author makes it better in the way she goes about telling the story. I enjoyed reading it and would recommend this book.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I've come to believe that there is a special category that includes books whose plot is well-known, whose end may be known too or clear enough for everyone to understand. And yet, they manage not only to attract your interest, but to make you really anxious, because you just want to go on reading and real life gets in the way. For some, these books may be predictable, devoid of any interest. For me, they provide meaning to the adage ''It's not about the destination, but about the journey''. Room by Emma Donoghue is one of these books.The plot is well-known to everyone, so there's no point to bore you with that. Donoghue is one of the those writers that I follow religiously, she can hardly do a story wrong as far as I am concerned. I haven't watched the film version of the novel, nor I intend to. There have been very few movies that were equally interesting to the original material and they were all made long before I was born, so there's no point wasting time on that.This is a book that I couldn't wait to pick up every day and continue reading. And I had been spoiled as to the plot and the ending. It didn't matter. In my opinion, this is one of the most significant achievements of a gifted writer. To make you care and feel, even though there's nothing to wait for. It happened with Hannah Kent's Burial Rites and it is repeated with Room. In the end, it all comes down to the writing and the characters.One could say that not much happen throughout the book and they would be right. However, that is exactly the biggest impact of the novel. What is important is the way every single development is described and communicated and this is done in a shuttering manner. There is an intense feeling of claustrophobia in the 2/3 of the novel, I guarantee you that you will feel your heart pounding, even though you may suspect what's coming next.What makes Room so unique is the way Donoghue chooses to speak to the reader. Our eyes in this story are Jack's, a five year old boy. Here we have a brilliant rendition of the boy's language inside his head. Is it absolutely realistic? No, of course not, but it would be less realistic for a reader to expect a completely truthful re-enactment of the way little children talk. Every question, fear and hope of Jack is easily met on childen all over the world. Every laughter, cry and hope of his mother is shared by mothers all over the world. What could be more realistic than that?Jack is one of the most unique narrators and his mother is the seams that hold the story tightly bound. Her character is possibly one of the best descriptions of motherhood in literature. There are not many secondary characters, but the ones that move in the periphery of the narration are incredubly well-written and fleshed out. What made me all the more satisfied with Room was Donoghue's decision to (view spoiler) She doesn't create a fairy-tale, she shows life as it is. If sensitive subjects are not your ideal reading, don't try this. It has quite a few themes that will make you incomfortable.Each book by Donoghue offers something different. She never repeats herself,it is as if she becomes a different writer every time, and I don't see this often in recent Literature. Arguably, for me, she belongs to the top-ten team of the best writers of our millenium. Room is a fine example of the way a novel can move you and make you nervous, frightened, frustrated and hopeful- all at the same time, mind you- without forcing your feelings with clichés and hysterics. Yes, The Light Between Oceans, I am still not over what a great bluff you proved to be...
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I liked ROOM even more than I expected to. I really liked the different point of view. By the end I found myself thinking in Jack-speak- "why he called me she?".

    I'd recommend ROOM.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    "Emma Donoghue's writing is superb alchemy, changing innocence into horror and horror into tenderness. ROOM is a book to read in one sitting. When it's over you look up: the world looks the same but you are somehow different and that feeling lingers for days." - Audrey Niffenegger, The Time Traveler's Wife

    I have to be at work in, um, a very short number of hours, but I really couldn't bear not to stay up and finish this book. I'm almost without words to describe it -- but I'll start by saying it's an almost outlandish premise that the author makes incredibly realistic, and *real*. I believe every word of it, yet know it's fiction.

    Definitely, definitely, read this book. And don't make any plans for several hours after you start it.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    When I heard how Room is narrated by a 5 year old boy, I first thought it was going to get annoying and be very basic, but surprisingly it was well written and didn't break character. Yes, its from a 5 year olds perspective, but you still learn a lot about his Ma and what happened to her, as well as have a connection with Jack and understand his thought process in something most people have never experienced. You learn so much background and setting not by being told directly when it happened and how the Room looks, but by Jack and Ma just having normal conversations and Jacks thoughts. My only negative about this novel is Emma Donogue's attempt to trash todays society is done through Jack and his observations about the outside and how parents don't care about their kids or spend time with them, the wording and what was being said didn't sound like something a 5 year old, no matter how smart, would ever notice at that age. Overall this is a great read and makes you think what kids really notice and think about their world.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I really enjoyed it, and completely understand the hype around it. Only complaint would be the intensity level of the first half takes the wind out of the second half. But all around, it's a really great read.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Absolutely amazing. I read this book in 2 days because I couldn't put it down.
    This story is told from the perspective of Jack, a five-year-old boy who lives in an 11x11 foot "Room" with his Ma. Jack's mother was kidnapped and held prisoner in a garden shed by a man Jack refers to as "Old Nick," who visits occasionally and rapes Jack's Ma (though Jack doesn't really know what's going on). All Jack knows of the world is what Ma has created from him in Room - toys made from cardboard boxes and eggshells, five broken crayons, or the 5 picture books he reads over and over. They watch some grainy television a little while each day, but Jack doesn't understand that the world on tv is reality. He thinks Room is the whole world and all he sees on tv is from other planets.
    The story that takes place in Room is rich with story; however, once Jack and Ma escape from Room, the real story begins. The accuracy with which the author told the story from Jack's perspective while allowing the reader to understand what the adults in Jack's world were trying to do is exceptional.
    Highly recommended.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Having seen the movie quite some time ago, I've had this sitting on the front page of my ebook library nagging me to read it. I'd avoided it for a while since it was pretty depressing (at least at the beginning) and more than a little triggering. However, I'm glad I finally dove in and finished it in one evening (staying up far too late in order to do so). I am the most impressed with Donoghue's ability to write convincingly from the perspective of a 5-year-old (albeit precocious) boy. Ma's efforts to educate Jack as best she could with her limited resources are commendable, effective and realistic. Their routine of exercise, creativity and limited television is impressive in their environment: locked in an 11-foot-square garden shed, their only source of supplies "Old Nick" who visits Ma in the night. SPOILERS : The book really shines, however, after the escape, when both Jack and Ma have to come to terms with the world outside the room. For Jack, it's the only thing he's ever known and although he's pretty intelligent, he's understandably naive. Ma has her own healing to do and Jack is suddenly not her only focus. His understanding and encountering events and items that most of us take for granted in every day life is a poignant revelation.I am so impressed by this book and this author. She's certainly done her research and crafted an immensely compelling narrative.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Wow. How do I give a review of this book without giving away any plot or spoilers? Basically, it was fantastic! I won't give any plot line as I think anyone who reads this book should go into it without any information! I didn't read the cover before reading it and loved finding out all the details from scratch.Anyone who doesn't mind a bit of disturbing content should read this book!
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    Actual rating: 2.5I know in large part my dislike of this story comes from listening to the audiobook. An adult (or so I presume it was an adult) voicing a five-year-old for almost 11 hours was taxing and that's putting it lightly. I appreciate the viewpoint of a young character, but I'm not sure, for me, it was entirely necessary in this story. It mostly served in making me want the book to be over sooner. It is eye-opening to realize how often adults 'lie' to children in order to explain the world around them. That must be incredibly confusing for a child, especially with a very alert child such as Jack. I'm interested to see how the film stands up to the book and if it will make it to my list on Letterboxd, 'Actually the Movie was Better'.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    It was really interesting to think about what things must have been like from this little boy's perspective. I was also impressed with what good care the mother took of her little boy.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I feel as though this book was hyped up a lot, and while I appreciate that it was told in Jack's child's voice, I feel as though once we reach "After" in the second half of the book, the story goes cold.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This book was really hard for me when I started it, having to read from a 5yr old perspective. It was tough. I almost didn't continue but I did. At the 2nd section I couldn't put it down. I was very impressed but then after that I thought it gradually petered out.I would still recommend.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This book was great, the twists caught me by surprise, but the foreshadowing should have triggered me to think of it..it was a great read. having the perspective from a little boy was a great new way to show the world. because of the simplistic nature, i think this is why the twist caught me off guard, because an innocent little boy, who knows nothing else is telling the story. overall great read
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I really enjoyed it -- it's a good read, told from an interesting perspective. I didn't really know what the book was about when I brought it home from the library, so I was quite surprised at the storyline once I started reading it, seeing as I had just finished reading Jaycee Dugard's memoir. Kinda freaky!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Difficult to quantify - not a thriller, exactly. Fascinating that it was so much from the view of a five-year-old; the mother certainly protected him from the horrors. You never find out anything about Old Nick - even his name... well-written, the few characters were worth caring about, a very fascinating and quick read.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    At first I thought this book was like Little Prince, you know? Room is Ma and Jack's world. But then I discovered, through the TV thing, the Scream activity they have, and Ma's turning the lights on and off at night before sleeping, that it was really Ma's way of keeping Jack innocent about their real predicament. It was the most fascinating part of this novel. And in most ways, it reminded me of Life Is Beautiful (which is a really good film too, by the way).

    One of the best books I've read, I swear. Hauntingly good.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    Jack's 5 year old perspective, though clever, seemed contrived and didn't interest me and so I was left wanting.

  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    enjoyed every word of it.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    The subject matter and content in the text are really written for an adult, however, the characters and plot would appeal to a teen. Emma Donoghue's novel leaves the reader thinking about the resiliency of youth, the limitless bond of parent and child, and the inaccuracy of human expectations. The use of the child narrator adds a sense of innocence regarding the situation, and keeps the reader off balance. Donoghue portrays the living arrangement of mother and son as odd, however, the lighthearted and funny voice of Jack keeps the reader from fully understanding that it is one room because the mother is a kidnapped victim. The relationship between the kidnapper and mother, though strained, also seems somewhat normal. The novel depicts a loving relationship between mother and son as they pass the days playing, reading, eating, and sleeping. When Ma begins to prepare an escape plan, the reader realizes the situation of the two main characters. Ma is somewhat unprepared for the escape plan to work and Jack is wholly unprepared for the world and freedom. The second half of the novel explores the flexibility and adaptability of youth, as Jack becomes indoctrinated in the real world and accepts changes in his life. Ma on the other hand, has difficulty coming to terms with changes in her family such as her parents divorce, and the realization that she has been traumatized. The road back to reality is much harder for Ma than Jack. This novel explores the effects of isolation and absence and the character, Ma, can be compared to the character, Gatsby. Jack and Ma can also be compared to a number of characters in Of Mice and Men. In the room, Ma teaches Jack to fear certain things for his own protection, but she does not teach Jack what to fear in the real world. This action can lead to debate about what should and should not be feared in society and connected to the theme of fear in The Crucible.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    A story told in two parts. A story told from the child's point of view about their journey and the incredible bond the two share in an incredible circumstance. a compelling read that makes the reader uncomfortable at times.
  • Rating: 1 out of 5 stars
    1/5
    I was infuriated by the narrated voice of the boy and how stupid the author tried to make him, while in the same breath he could easily read difficult words. It just didn't add up. I kept waiting for something to happen after the exciting middle but it was slow going the rest of the way.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This title was selected by my book club. I would never have picked it or read it otherwise. But I am glad I did.I read this book in sections. Back to middle to front and end because I could not handle it from beginning to end. I had to read in sections to reassure myself that all would be okay. There is much to mull over in this story. Having the child, Jack, as the narrator is brilliant . His voice is perfect to tell the story.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Room is full of wonderfully unique surroundings such as Wardrobe, Bed, Rug, Plant and Bathtub. For five-year-old Jack, there is no more than one of anything, so articles got tossed out (imaginary)Window.

    Room is also full of days - 2,492 of them - that Ma has been living in a kidnapper's maniacally-fortressed shed. Not one of those fancy ones you see on DIY shows, either. We're talking 10' x 10'.

    Seven years in that same room every single day.
    My claustrophobia just woke up in a cold sweat.

    Jack has been living in that room with her since he was born. In Room. In same Bed she sleeps in now. Makes me want to go live in Big Open Field. A really well-scrubbed field. With an autoclave.

    This was not the first story about captivity that disturbed me - in just fiction, Benjamin Saenz' House of Forgetting comes to mind - but being slowly immersed through the eyes of a kid made it even more disturbing. Our reactions - and our imagining of what Ma must be enduring through all this - tie us to the page and stuff a dirty rag in our mouths. We can only watch Jack, who has no terror about his surroundings, since he has nothing that came before. Unfazed, he shows us more of his everyday life and, finally, what happens when Ma takes a risk to make it better.

    I was incredibly immersed and paranoid the whole time I was reading. Which is good - but now I'm heading back to that open field.