Sunday Book Club: The Room by Emma Donoghue

http://www.roomthebook.com/   Follow the link to a interactive representation of the room from the book.

Room is a Man-Booker-shortlisted seventh novel, is the story of a five-year-old called Jack, who lives in a single room with his Ma and has never been outside. When he turns five, he starts to ask questions, and his mother reveals to him that there is a world beyond the walls. Told entirely in Jack’s voice, Room is no horror story or tearjerker, but a celebration of resilience and the love between parent and child.

Room is the story of Ma and Jack. They live in a single, locked room. Five-year-old Jack loves watching TV, but he knows that nothing he sees on the screen is truly real – only him, Ma and the things in Room. Until the day Ma admits there’s a world outside . . . 

Deb's comments:  This is definitely not a horror novel; though it does show that humans can be the monsters.  It's not a story about abuse, as you might expect, but a story from a five year old point of view.  It's more about trying to understand the world and the love you have for the people who are yours.  Ms. Donoguhe says that this was based on a real life event from Austria, but I pictured Elizabeth Smart when I read Room.  Her case was slightly different, but that is how I thought of Ma. 

It's very different from anything else that I have read, but I would recommend it for that reason.  

A personal note from the author, Emma Donoghue: Room was inspired by… having kids; the locked room is a metaphor for the claustrophobic, tender bond of parenthood. I borrowed observations, jokes, kid grammar and whole dialogues from our son Finn, who was five while I was writing it. Room was also inspired by... ancient folk motifs of walled-up virgins who give birth (e.g. Rapunzel), often to heroes (e.g. Danaë and Perseus).  Room was also inspired by… the Fritzl family’s escape from their dungeon in Austria – though I doubt I’ll ever use contemporary headlines as a launching point again, since I didn’t like being even occasionally accused of ‘exploitation’ or tagged ‘Fritzl writer’.  But on the whole, publishing my seventh novel – and having the great good fortune to win new readers all over the world – has been a delight. 

As always, we love to know your opinion about the books featured or be delighted for recommendations for future Sunday Book Club offerings.

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