Room: Book Review

Ma is kidnapped by Old Nick and was concealed in a secluded room. After two years, she gave birth to Jack. Despite the despair, Ma created a lovely world for Jack. In result, Jack regarded the room as a safe house rather than a prison. Room by Emma Donoghue is a story of a parent and child relationship amidst captivity and their adaptation to the environment.

The quirky voice of the exuberant Jack rings in the novel. The narration makes the novel funny and lively despite the dreadful reality. Emma retains this voice concrete and unified throughout the novel. The innocence is not stained with lust, pride and greed. This makes the novel completely pure.

Prototype of the 11x11 Foot Room

As Jack tells the story on his viewpoint, we discover how his condition affects his perspective. He views anything outside the room as fantasy and anything inside is perfectly real. He tells non-living things as a proper noun like room as Room, wardrobe as Wardrobe and rug as Rug. It was an excellent choice to highlight his limited perspective.

Emma Donoghue

However, at some point, I thought of giving it up. Five-year olds are full of questions. Not only Jack belongs to that age span but also he is a bit precocious on his age. He has high language proficiency and understanding. Although some of his thoughts take it literally but still it was unbelievable. He even knows negative numbers and the concept of sarcasm.

I doubt if you could feel any intensity of thrill or suspense but a mild realization. This book gives us an opportunity to wear mask and be an alien to our own world. Jack may be unreliable to tell a story. But the way I see it, he tells it from his heart. Room is a true gift for a mother to read.

PS: I read the book by listening from audiobook. (Is it even possible?). Anyways, you have to hear the voice of Jack, the five-year old kid.

Rating: ★★★☆☆