What a ride. This book was a wonder. It's the story of a 5-year-old boy, Jack, {told from his perspective} and his mother captive in an 11-by-11 foot room. No windows, no access to the outside world {other than television} and no hope of escape. Until Jack and his mother attempt an act of bravery that is unbelievable to me as a mother of a 5-year-old boy myself.
I'm not one of those marathon readers; picking up a book and plowing through it until I get to the last page. I tend to savor a book, reading little bit at time and taking days - sometimes weeks - to finish a book. And, with my crazy life, I can't afford the time commitment and absence it takes to get lost in a book.
I got lost in Room. I read all it in a matter of 36 hours. {Broken up, but still...} And yeah, the reading was very easy and quick given that the perspective was from that of a preschooler. But it was so so good. A must-read. And will most definitely be my favorite for May.
Have you read this one? What did you think? I'd love to get a bit of a discussion started in the comments...
3 comments:
This was one of those books that stuck with me for a while. It affected me. I have no idea how that mom did it. Would I have been strong/creative enough to entertain a child day after day in an 11 x 11 room? I'm not so sure. Ha. I wanted to give my kiddos a big, squishy hug when I was done. I thought it was so unique the way it was written, even if it was a little tedious to read an entire book from the perspective of a preschooler.
I just finished the book Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close. I think you'd like it.
Katie - I can't imagine...I had great respect for the character of Ma. I don't have that type of creativity. But then again...if there is no choice, maybe we do have that in us, we just aren't required to access it.
It was amazing how she kept his attention and how resourceful they were. A snake made out of egg shells?! Never in my wildest dreams...
I'll check out Ext. Loud and Inc. Close. :)
I think this book really shows how redeeming and all powerful it is to love ( and have the love of) a child. Even though I don't have children I have felt this with my nieces, that when they really need you, you can do all kinds of things you thought you couldn't. How when nothing else could keep you going, the love of a child will make you get up and do your best.
It made me think about a lot of different things, can't bring them all to mind in this instant, but one bit that interested me was Ma's comments on how many people are locked up, restricted or held back by something in many situations different to hers. Could be an interesting idea in that, that many people can't or don't engage in the world as much as they should, getting out of their own 'room'.
I had worried about the child narrator, but actually I loved the narrative perspective. I wondered about what the future held for the little boy after the book finished.
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