Come and talk about Room
Thursday 6th Jan 2011
Author
Picador |
Friday 11th Feb 2011 12:49
I resisted reading this last year as I thought it would be a grim read. But decided to read it this week when I knew I could go and hear Emma Donoghue speak at Bury Library. I raced through it in 2 days and it really is a book that is hard to put down. It is so unusual to read a serious novel written in the voice of a convincing child. And I loved that it was about motherhood and hope for the future and wasn't at all depressing, even though the content is incredibly serious and disturbing.
Hearing Emma talk about it was icing on the cake. She pointed out things that I had missed on reading, such as the Resurrection metaphor, and answered questions I had in my own mind, like why did she think a 5 year old would be ready to deliver an escape plan. It was lovely to be in a room full of people who had all read and enjoyed the novel and all asking questions they really wanted to know the answer to. More than one person wanted to know what happens to Jack & Ma next. Emma said she was letting them go- but maybe inspired by her audiences enthusiasm this week- who knows?
Hearing Emma talk about it was icing on the cake. She pointed out things that I had missed on reading, such as the Resurrection metaphor, and answered questions I had in my own mind, like why did she think a 5 year old would be ready to deliver an escape plan. It was lovely to be in a room full of people who had all read and enjoyed the novel and all asking questions they really wanted to know the answer to. More than one person wanted to know what happens to Jack & Ma next. Emma said she was letting them go- but maybe inspired by her audiences enthusiasm this week- who knows?
Friday 11th Feb 2011 10:59
For me this novel is about a deep love for children. As a 65 year old male visual artist, the outside world is still scary! Well done Emma for touching and illuminating this raw nerve in each of our little lives.... Barry Cooper, Frome, Somerset, UK.
Monday 14th Feb 2011 10:43
Wow what a book, I downloaded this book to read whilst I was in hospital but didn't get to read it till recently. I couldn't put my iPhone down, I felt like I was in the Room with Ma & Jack. A brill read got to give credit to Emma Donoghue keep up the good work girl!
Friday 18th Feb 2011 12:40
I did not fancy reading this book at first as I too thought it would be a rather harrowing read. The stilted language of the five year old is quite offputting, but it is a difficult subject and the fact of its being told from the child's view, increases the sensitivity with which it is handled. I was fascinated by the world that Ma created for themboth within the Room, how she managed to impose a routine keep Jack interested and educate him
Monday 21st Feb 2011 02:59
In our reading group we were offered a copy to read and comment on. An avid reader of all types of fiction, I was eager to try it based solely on the cover's resume. Alas I could not get started: I tried several times in differing moods to give it justice but could not get into the dialogue delivered in what the author believes to be the way in which a child of five communicates. At 78 years of age I have children, grandchildren and great grandchildren but, have never heard any of my family speak in this way. Sorry but this book is not for me.
Saturday 26th Feb 2011 10:02
I've just reviewed this on my blog : http://madhousefamilyreviews.blogspot.com/2011/02/book-review-room-emma-donoghue.html
It's my first absolute must-read of the year and by turns uplifting and heart-breaking.
It's my first absolute must-read of the year and by turns uplifting and heart-breaking.
Sunday 27th Feb 2011 10:45
I did not like this book at all. Shame, as was quite excited after reading all the reviews and felt let down by it. The characters seemed rather flat and shallow. I couldn't feel any empathy for anyone
Monday 11th Apr 2011 09:46
A compelling and convincing piece of fiction.
Thursday 14th Apr 2011 06:02
The book engendered a very lively discussion with the general consensus that it was a difficult emotional and psychiogial story, sympathetically, and at times, told with wit.
Sunday 13th Nov 2011 02:53
A good story spoiled by the idiotic speech pattern of the little boy, no child of five would speak in such an idiom, in fact I've never heard a child older than 18 months speak in such a fashion, his mother was teaching him excellent use of words, so it stands to reason she'd teach him grammar. The author has children, so where on earth did this type of speech spring from. Written for an American audience I think, everything was laboured and you sis not have to work anything out.
Monday 20th Feb 2012 05:13
I reviewed this book on my blog, feel free to have a look!
http://becki-iwanttoknow.blogspot.com/2012/02/review-room-by-emma-donoghue.html#comment-form
I really enjoyed this book,the innocence and naive nature of Jack is heart-breaking. A deeply emotional book.
http://becki-iwanttoknow.blogspot.com/2012/02/review-room-by-emma-donoghue.html#comment-form
I really enjoyed this book,the innocence and naive nature of Jack is heart-breaking. A deeply emotional book.
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This is the kind of story that the media always sensationalises but because E.D. tells it from a 5-year-old's perspective, she avoids this completely and it is Ma's efforts to make everything normal for Jack and the ultimate survival of their spirit which prodominates over the inherent horror of the situation. An "easy" read but so rewarding.
VW, Malling District U3A Reading Group.