Room by Emma Donoghue

I've just finished reading Room.

Its an emotional and inspiring read about a 19 year old girl who is kidnapped and locked in an 11 foot by 11 foot room. She is held captive for 7 long years by a man twice her age. He is a loner and a bachelor and uses her for his pleasure.

The narrator is Jack, her 5 year old son who was born into this room and has never seen the outside before. He is a remarkably clever young boy, and together he and his mother develop ways of coping in this captivity.

It is such an amazing read. The first part of the book is dedicated to their experiences within the room, and especially the relationship between Jack and Ma. Ma tries her best to protect Jack, and she inspires him with what little resources they have. They have an exceptionally close relationship and she teaches him all that she can. Jack in many ways is more able than the average 5 year old, and in other ways, of course, he is not. But the relationship that they have forged is so special, it cannot fail to move you.

The second part of the book is dedicated to life on the outside of the room, and Jack's experiences of the world. It is about their ways of coping with their new found freedom, the press and the emotional anxieties that they are faced with.

Room is an outstanding book. Although the subject matter is one which is something we would rather not delve into, it is not a depressing book at all. It is inspiring and thought provoking and the relationship between Ma and Jack is overwhelming. It took me about a day to read it, I just could not put it down.

My Rating: 4.5 Stars