Reviews tagging 'Panic attacks/disorders'

Room by Emma Donoghue

16 reviews

grboph's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This was definitely one of the most depressing books I've read in quite a while, but I had to give it five stars because the premise and the way the story was told were both very intriguing. The story is told from the perspective of a five-year-old boy, which I felt added a lot of depth to the story - I was very impressed by Donoghue's ability to get inside this character's head and relate to him so strongly. This book nearly made me cry several times due to the pure emotionality with which Donoghue tells Jack and Ma's story. I found Jack's perceptions of the world around him to be very interesting, and thought a lot about all the tiny experiences and social conventions that I and those around me take for granted, and what navigating society for the first time at that age must be like. This was a very emotional and impactful book, and I would recommend it to anyone who likes true crime or stories about strong children.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Confinement, Kidnapping, Medical content, Child death, Gaslighting, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Chronic illness, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, and Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Abortion

brookey8888's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

At first I wasn’t really enjoying this that much because it is from the point of you have a five-year-old child so it was kind of annoying to hear his thoughts. But as it went on I got used to it and I kind of enjoyed it does also has a full cast narrated(I listened to the audiobook) which I really enjoyed. Also this might be a slight spoiler but they are in the room the whole time they get out like 50% through which I thought was interesting because you got to see how the child and everyone reacted. I do wish there was like some more I don’t know if closure is the right word or something but it makes sense because it’s the point of you have a five-year-old so everything that’s happening to the Mom we don’t really know like therapy and stuff like that.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Miscarriage, Stalking, Vomit, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Drug use, Drug abuse, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Blood, Domestic abuse, Medical content, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Emotional abuse, Death, Excrement, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, Rape, Suicide attempt, and Violence

jenny_wren's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This is the story of Jack and Ma and their survival in Room. Ma was kidnapped and has been held in Room ever since. Jack has no comprehension of there being an Outside. This book looks at their survival and their relationship. 

This book packs a real emotional punch - especially because we hear more and more real stories like this now. This book is told from 5 year old Jack's perspective so its an usual book to read and the style won't be for everyone. I tried to start this once before and couldn't get into it. This time around I stuck with it and found I couldn't put it down. Its sad but hopeful with a unique child's point of view on an unimaginable situation. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Suicide attempt, Vomit, Panic attacks/disorders, and Excrement

Minor: Rape and Kidnapping

emmadawsonn's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

This is 100% the most accurate book-to-movie adaptation I’ve ever come across. Heartbreaking and beautiful. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicide attempt, Violence, and Confinement

Moderate: Rape, Child death, Medical content, and Sexual violence

imy_reads's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I picked this one up randomly one day off my shelf and right from the start I was gripped. The way the first sentence was written was absolutely perfect. It makes you want to read more. This book was absolutely amazing. 

Based on the Fritzl case,this story is about a woman who gets kidnapped and locked away in a soundproof room. She bears a child and she has to  raise raise him in the confines of that 11 foot by 11 foot room. She has to teach him that that is the world. She has to teach him, nurse him, train him and so much more all the while carrying that huge emotional burden of truth, the reality, that Room is really just a prison.This book is in its core a story of motherly love and determination.

 The amount of respect and love I have for 'Ma' and all the other women who have had to go through(or are still going through) situations like this is enormous.My heart aches for them and I feel like now I have a bit more understanding of both the ugly side of life and the beautiful side. 

A lot of people believe that because its told from a five year olds perspective, it's irritating and whiny, but to me, it added to the effect. And it wasn't that bad, especially considering that the mother has had to teach him everything herself. The innocence of Jack's voice narrating this creepy tale, all the while adds to effect. The reader is left with more insight and understanding to what's REALLY happening while also reading about how confused and ignorant Jack is. 

You're left feeling so many emotions and made to think hard about life. It's raw, haunting, absorbing and truly a one of a kind book. It's originality is astounding and this tale is woven perfectly. A brilliant read from start to finish

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abortion, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, Vomit, Murder, Self harm, and Violence

booklover_04's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Kidnapping, Sexual violence, Vomit, Abortion, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Suicide attempt, and Violence