I avoided Room by Emma Donoghue for years. I was put off by the disturbing subject matter. A young woman, who was abducted as a college student, struggles to make a life for herself and her young son in their prison, a small sound proof room in a garden shed.
Last weekend, I found Room on the sale table at Munro’s and I decided to give it a try. At $4.99, I’d feel okay about abandoning it if it was too intense.
Although Room was both intense and horrifying, I couldn’t put it down. I haven’t read a novel this compelling for some time and it was wonderful to rediscover the all-consuming joy of being totally caught up in a story.
Room is narrated by Jack, a five year-old whose entire life has been spent in Room with his mother, Ma.
Ma is one of the most devoted parents in literature. Facing impossible challenges, she gives Jack a loving start in life. Their routine includes daily physical activity, toys made of items like egg shells and toilet paper rolls and a regular schedule of normal activities like dusting, laundry and hair washing. Fiercely protective, she puts Jack in the wardrobe whenever their captor, Old Nick makes his frequent visits to drop off groceries and rape her.
Room begins on Jack’s fifth birthday. Old Nick’s behaviour has become increasingly cruel and Ma realizes that life in Room can’t continue much longer. She engineers a daring escape attempt.
I won’t spoil the ending. I’ll just say that in Ma and Jack, Emma Donoghue created two characters about whom I cared deeply. I think you will, too.
The Sailor's Woman 
Wonderfully written, both this post and, of course, the book! I just finished reading it yesterday and thought of searching what other bloggers on WordPress have to say about it.
The book sure is a page-turner and fresh in its approach. I liked it a lot. I also wrote a review on it š
Thank you for the comment. I had a hard time putting Room down once I started it.
It’s great to be fully engulfed by a book, even with such a difficult subject.
Glad it was an enriching read.
Reading is one of my favorite activities, so finding a book that grabbed me and made me care about the characters was a real treat. The subject was difficult, but it ended on a positive, hopeful note. (I hope I didn’t give too much away there.)
It does sound like a gripping book, if harrowing. I’ve made a note of the title. Thank you for telling me about it.
It was one I couldn’t put down. I think you’ll enjoy it even though the subject matter is horrifying.
My partner was abducted in Romania and locked in a basement for 7 years where he was raped every night. He escaped just before he was shot dead. Will he write it down? No. He simply says, “Get on with life.” (Probably why he survived…) I myself had an idyllic childhood.
Your partner must be an incredibly strong person, both physically and emotionally, to have survived that experience. It’s chilling to think that horrors like this really do happen.