5 year old Jack and his Ma live in one room. Jack has never known anything different; he adheres closely to their daily rituals and truly believes that the world doesn’t extend outside the one room. His only view of the outside world is a skylight and he thinks everything that happens there is really just in the TV. He dreads visits from “Old Nick”, the man who visits his mother, and has to hide in the wardrobe every time he comes to visit. When Jack turns five, his mother starts trying to tell him about the world, but Jack isn’t sure he’s ready to face it.
Just a quick warning, this book is best going into it knowing nothing more than that, and I will be including spoilers in my review.
I had two reactions to this book. I struggled with the beginning. Unlike Jack, I knew what was going on. I knew “Old Nick” had kidnapped and raped his mother, and that Jack was the product of that rape; it seemed incredibly sad to me how he simply got on with his life as though it were normal. I doubt any mother could have chosen to do anything else, there certainly isn’t any sense in raising a child to be miserable, but it was hard to take. I felt stifled just thinking about the life of Jack’s Ma. I must admit that I was also quite disgusted at the continuation of breast feeding, though I could see why there was no reason to actually stop.
And then they escape, and I started to appreciate the book more. For me, their integration into the real world was the interesting part. Seeing how much Jack hadn’t experienced and how poorly equipped he was for the actual world was, again, heartbreaking. One of the more interesting parts of it, though, was the fact that Jack completely misses out on societal stigmas. He doesn’t think it’s weird that he has long hair like a girl, or that Dora is his favorite television character. He carries a pink Dora backpack and thinks nothing of it – an interesting, and I think accurate, view on how society teaches us about the differences between boys and girls.
When they emerge into the real world, it’s also apparent that Jack has the adaptive ability of his age, while Ma struggles desperately to cope. Despite his confusion over separation from her, he continues to learn about the world and find his own place in it, which in contrast to the rest of the book is heartwarming and gives us hope. I loved the sections when he’s with his grandparents and learning little things about the world that he likes. It’s really a testimony to the power of childhood. He struggles at first, but he does realize that the outside world is a nice place – and that he can still be with his Ma in it.
Room has garnered quite a bit of attention in the press and on blogs due to its recent Booker prize nomination, so I don’t think I’m adding anything new to the discussion; regardless, I would definitely recommend this book. It’s dark, but not without its strands of hope.
I am an Amazon Associate. I received this book for review for free from Amazon Vine.
I haven’t read this yet but it is definitely on my list for 2011. I have mixed feeling because as you said, “Unlike Jack, I knew what was going on,” and I know that it’ll be an emotional investment.
Beth F´s last post …Imprint Friday- Get to Know Algonquin Books
It took me a little while to get used to Jack’s voice when I started this book, but once I did, I couldn’t put the book down. I loved the fact that Jack didn’t care that the backpack was pink – it made me wish we would stop teaching things like that.
I loved this one. I think the whole gender identity issue that you brought up about Jack is a great discussion point and not something that I had thought much about.
Stephanie´s last post …Book Review- Fool Me Once
I think you bring up several great points in your review that others may have shied away from. I loved this book and it went on my list for best of the year, yet like Kathy, I had trouble with Jack’s voice in the beginning, and the breastfeeding also bothered me a little bit. I am in agreement that the second part of the book was utterly fascinating though also somewhat disturbing. Fantastic review on this one!
It did take me a little while to get used to Jack’s voice as well. And I’ve told quite a few friends to stick with it because I think so many people pick up this book expecting to love it from the first word! I ended up thinking it was an outstanding book!
Julie P.´s last post …Review- Let the Great World Spin
I agree with you – the integration into the real world was so fascinating to me. I thought it seemed so well researched. It was one of those books I just wanted someone around me to read so I could talk to them about it!
Amused´s last post …Do You Control Tomorrow
I got myself this one for Christmas with a book voucher, I’ve heard such good things about it, really looking forward to reading it!
Darren @ Bart’s Bookshelf´s last post …Review- I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak
I had the pleasure of meeting the author at BEA – she was so nice! And after hearing so many good things, I absolutely cannot wait to read this book!
Allie ~ Hist-Fic Chick´s last post …New Year- New Beginnings
I also just reviewed this book recently, and agree with you. There were parts that disgusted me (the breast-feeding part), but so much of it was amazing!
Nice review! I had a hard time adjusting to the “syntax” of the book at first. I also had a similar reaction to the breastfeeding part. I actually had to re-read the passage when it first happened. I agree with you that I appreciated Emma spending time to show the reader how Jack and Ma adjusted (or didn’t) to the real world. It showed an interesting perspective both from Jack’s point of view, but also how his family (uncle & grandmother) adapted to him.
Happy Reading!
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This book struck me as really creepy when I first heard about it but review after review are convincing me otherwise.
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