Room

I expected to be swept away by this book in the way most psychological thrillers impact me–my heart quickening with the pace, my chest aching for resolution, and a rush of relief when the novel ends, followed by a craving for more. That happened. Sure. But the twist in this book comes in the middle of the book with a buildup of suspense and a major resolution that satisfied all my expectations of a thriller.

After that, the novel thrust me into a whole new reading experience, almost another genre, one marked by a different kind of intensity and suspense.… show more.

You won’t find a more innocent narrator than five-year-old Jack. He lives in “Room”, the only place he knows, with Ma, and the only other person he has met is “Old Nick” – the man who abducted, imprisoned, and now visits his mother at night. Inspired by the horrendous Fritzl case, Room is heart-breaking and compelling. Jack’s only contact with the outside world is via what he sees on TV until he has to escape. Following this nail-bitingly intense episode, you’ll be gunning for Jack and his ma as they try to move on with their lives.

A young woman is held prisoner by her kidnapper/rapist and gives birth to Jack. She succeeds in protecting and providing for him for five years while trapped in a bunker which Jack calls “Room.” The novel is narrated by Jack and the room is Jack’s entire world. Because of Ma’s incredible efforts, he seems as happy as would be possible in this dire situation. An opportunity to escape arises. What follows is a realistic and heart-rending account of survival against the odds. Through Jack’s observations, I could read between the lines to understand what Ma endures. The author’s ability to… show more.

Five-year-old Jack knows no existence beyond the space where he’s been imprisoned with his mother since birth. Outside is nothing more than pictures flickering across a television screen. Jack’s isolated upbringing is exemplified by his voice. Omission of articles a or the (as in the title) elevates everyday items into proper nouns as if they are friends and have personalities. The use of capital letters heightens the visual experience of reading and enhances the audible quality. It’s as if readers can hear the cogs of a young child’s mind turning. Following Jack’s dramatic escape, the challenge for mother and son… show more.