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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
Although the situation in this book is disturbing and sad, the author took on the perspective of an innocent child who has never known anything different. I liked it a lot because it's a piece of fiction that I feel could be very likely to be true. Maybe how it is for people in similar situations. I like attempting to think about things from other perspectives.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’m very back and forth on how much I liked this book. I found the child’s voice narration quite difficult to get used to and quite far into the book I was still being taken out by it. It was a cool choice but every so often as I was reading I was completely taken out by a thought or a piece of narration because my brain went “that’s not how 5 year olds think, that’s how an adult pretending to be a 5 year old thinks”.
I wouldn’t read it again and since now I’m allowing myself to watch the movie that might change my mind a little. Don’t regret reading it though, so there’s that.
I wouldn’t read it again and since now I’m allowing myself to watch the movie that might change my mind a little. Don’t regret reading it though, so there’s that.
Ugh...I don't even know where to start.
This book was different than anything I've ever read.
I don't know if I loved it, or hated it.
But I could not put it down until knew what happened.
It was depressing, to put it mildly.
But it was also a great story, and although it's fiction, it is easily based in reality, especially the reality of today's headlines.
It's the story of a girl who is kidnapped and kept for years in a tiny room, hidden away from the world. She bares the child of her captor.
It's the story of the love and devotion of a mother for her child. It's the story of survival and endurance and bravery when fear could easily paralyze anyone.
It's the story of a horror I can't even wrap my head around.
It's also the story of human nature as seen through the eyes of a child who is basically an empty palette...a child who does not even know how small his world is, until it's not..and even then, prefers that small world because in his eyes, that world is safe and quiet and he has his mother's love, which is all he believes he needs.
This book reminded me in some ways of a book I read years ago called "A Child Called It".
This book was different than anything I've ever read.
I don't know if I loved it, or hated it.
But I could not put it down until knew what happened.
It was depressing, to put it mildly.
But it was also a great story, and although it's fiction, it is easily based in reality, especially the reality of today's headlines.
It's the story of a girl who is kidnapped and kept for years in a tiny room, hidden away from the world. She bares the child of her captor.
It's the story of the love and devotion of a mother for her child. It's the story of survival and endurance and bravery when fear could easily paralyze anyone.
It's the story of a horror I can't even wrap my head around.
It's also the story of human nature as seen through the eyes of a child who is basically an empty palette...a child who does not even know how small his world is, until it's not..and even then, prefers that small world because in his eyes, that world is safe and quiet and he has his mother's love, which is all he believes he needs.
This book reminded me in some ways of a book I read years ago called "A Child Called It".
WOW! Reminicent of recent news stories, but with its own twist. Really enjoyed the way the story was told by the little boy. Enough information was shared without the need for explicit details that might have come from the adults telling the story.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book was compelling in its simplicity. The 5 year old narrator voice made it easier to take in the horror of the situation, and engrossed me in its little frustrations. I found myself getting so mad at every character, and upset at the impact of it. I really liked it. I didn't love it. But i'm really glad i read it.
Not as good as I expected but did have a good idea and understanding of the issues for both mother and son on escaping the Room.
I can't handle this audiobook--the little kid's voice is high-pitched and annoying. I lasted about 30 minutes. I'll try the book some other time....
And I finished the book a few days later!
This book was on the 2011 Alex Award list, so it's supposed to be good for teenagers, even though it was published adult. And I can definitely see the teen appeal!
Jack is 5 years old and lives in Room with his mother. And that's his whole world. His mother was kidnapped seven years ago, and she has tried to raise Jack the best that she can by sheltering him from Old Nick, the man who comes in the night. The two escape, but Jack isn't sure that Outside is better than Room. Told from Jack's point-of-view, the story is sweet and poignant in the right places. Recommend this to Lurlene McDaniel or Jodi Picoult fans.
And I finished the book a few days later!
This book was on the 2011 Alex Award list, so it's supposed to be good for teenagers, even though it was published adult. And I can definitely see the teen appeal!
Jack is 5 years old and lives in Room with his mother. And that's his whole world. His mother was kidnapped seven years ago, and she has tried to raise Jack the best that she can by sheltering him from Old Nick, the man who comes in the night. The two escape, but Jack isn't sure that Outside is better than Room. Told from Jack's point-of-view, the story is sweet and poignant in the right places. Recommend this to Lurlene McDaniel or Jodi Picoult fans.
I didn't understand why Jack called everything in Room by proper names - like Duvet instead of the duvet. I also found his spelling and reading skills to be greater than would be expected for most 5 year-olds. I found it really disturbing that he was still breast-feeding at 5 years-old, too. Maybe that was a comfort for both him and Ma.
I did like the ending, though. Closure.
I did like the ending, though. Closure.
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes