I'm sure many of you have heard of the movie, especially since Brie Larson won best actress for it. I have not yet seen the movie though.
Emma Donoghue's Room is about a girl who is kidnapped when she is nineteen years old. She is held captive in the man's outdoor shed that he reenforces to be soundproofed and locked at all times. He rapes her multiple times and she ends up having a little boy, Jack, in this room. The book opens up with him turning five, he has no idea that there is a world outside of Room and his entire life revolves around his Ma and the games they come up with to pass the time. Eventually, they come up with a plan for Jack to pretend he's dead and to escape their prison. The hardest part for them though becomes readapting to life outside.
This book was incredibly emotional and difficult to read. It's difficult to talk about because it was really interesting how Ma's character had to take care of Jack at all times and then when they escape it was so difficult for her to try and reintegrate herself into the world, but she had to take care of her five year old who was missing the simplicity of Room, which was her hellhole. As sweet as Jack was, I know I would have been driven a little crazy by him. However, both of their tenacity was so fascinating and well done, because their situation was so terrifying. I felt like Emma Donoghue managed to create a great balance in their bravery and fear. The book was amazing and so touching in showing how amazing a mother's love can be. They do ask the question at one point about what her feelings were on the fact that he is also the son of her rapist, but that does not deter her from loving her son. It's a scary book, but also beautiful. I loved that there would be times where the book would challenge gender roles too, because of Jack's long hair or the fact that he loved Dora. The mentions of social norms were so great and subtilely woven into the larger story that was going on.
I plan on watching the movie soon too! The actor who plays Jack is just adorable! He has an Instagram account that his parents help him run and he loves Star Wars, he honestly looks like the sweetest child.
Sorry short review, but I enjoyed the book so much and didn't dislike anything about it that I can't be as critical as I am in other reviews. There isn't anything bad to talk about! While a definitely more emotional book, it is a worthwhile read and I gave it five stars!
