Room (Emma Donoghue)

The book needed a border!

I was reminded of this book during a brunch conversation yesterday morning.  I read it this past winter and thought it was deserving of a post! 

Room by Emma Donoghue is told from the perspective of Jack, a 5-year-old boy.  He has been living in a simple room for his entire life.  This is reality to him and he doesn't understand that there is a world outside of the room where he could have a much brighter life.  His mother, on the other hand, who has been in this prison since she was nineteen knows that she needs to do whatever she can to get her and her son out of the room alive. 

I enjoyed this novel.  It was interesting, being told from the point of view of a small child.  It's hard to imagine what it would be like to be stuck in one room for years at a time.  It would also be difficult to think what this would mean to a young child - this really is his reality and he doesn't know any better.  It would be hard to imagine that trees exist if you only see them on a television and have never seen one in real life.  It would also be a challenge for Jack's mother - how do you explain the world to your child who has been in the same small room his whole life?  And how do you keep things positive when all you really want to do is save yourself and your son?

I would recommend this novel.  It was interesting and kept you guessing.  Another book this makes me feel grateful for the life that I have!