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ingaluna's review against another edition
5.0
Hauntingly beautiful, still incredibly innocent in a way. The best asset of the book is the way it was written. All through the eyes of a kid.
mswho42's review against another edition
4.0
Great book, but very difficult to read. What I mean by that is that it's written in the point of view of a child, so the grammar is horrible, to say the least. Once you get used to it, though, you don't even notice it.
gammonlindsey's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
purrs_between_pages's review against another edition
4.0
As a mother of 4 this book terrified me. It broke my heart and yet gave me courage at the same time.
alissamk's review against another edition
4.0
I thought this book was really interesting. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator who did the voice of Jack gave an amazing performance. I think it would have been a good (if harrowing) story from Ma's point of view as well but something about the story being told through the innocent point of view of a child made it that much more heartbreaking.
kerameia's review against another edition
4.0
I admit that when I was first given this book, I didn't think I had the mental or emotional energy to dive into this story. The publisher's synopsis sounds intriguing, of course, but given the subject nature you expect there to be some heavy material. I was pleasantly surprised, therefore, to enjoy "Room" much more than I thought I would (it's even made it onto my "books that give you the 'oh wow' factor" shelf!).
The thing about this story that really hooked me was/is its narrative style. Right from the beginning, the reader's eyes are opened to the world of "Room" and each of its individual, defining aspects--Table, underneath which is Spider, Wardrobe (safe place), Rug, etc. Seeing things first-hand from Jack's perspective, the reader gains an idea of what it would be like to grow up within this confined space and daily routine without knowing anything more. What I found especially haunting is the way in which the reader gleans details about the world outside of Jack's understanding through secondary characters and things said or not said. For instance, the "Screaming" game to Jack is just one of several routine activities that he and his Ma do to pass time, whereas we the readers realize its true significance.
I think that the way in which the author focuses the story on Jack and Ma's relationship both in Room and outside of it, rather than on Room's origins or the horrors of Ma's past, is what makes this book credible and unique. As a reader, I found it more appealing to read about how someone would survive in this situation and what it would be like for them afterwards, interacting with the world. The author handles the details of this subject matter with a subtlety that allows story to build on characters rather than on pure shock value.
The one thing about this story with which I have trouble believing is the maturity of Jack's narration. I found that he sometimes said things or (claimed to) understand things that seemed too mature, too complex, for a 5-year-old. I found myself wondering, "Would a 5-year-old really say/think that?" I'm not sure if some of these instances are meant to move the story along (i.e. suspension of disbelief) or whether I just don't know 5-year-olds very well. The latter could be the case. :)
At any rate, I'd recommend this book for a longer-term read.
The thing about this story that really hooked me was/is its narrative style. Right from the beginning, the reader's eyes are opened to the world of "Room" and each of its individual, defining aspects--Table, underneath which is Spider, Wardrobe (safe place), Rug, etc. Seeing things first-hand from Jack's perspective, the reader gains an idea of what it would be like to grow up within this confined space and daily routine without knowing anything more. What I found especially haunting is the way in which the reader gleans details about the world outside of Jack's understanding through secondary characters and things said or not said. For instance, the "Screaming" game to Jack is just one of several routine activities that he and his Ma do to pass time, whereas we the readers realize its true significance.
I think that the way in which the author focuses the story on Jack and Ma's relationship both in Room and outside of it, rather than on Room's origins or the horrors of Ma's past, is what makes this book credible and unique. As a reader, I found it more appealing to read about how someone would survive in this situation and what it would be like for them afterwards, interacting with the world. The author handles the details of this subject matter with a subtlety that allows story to build on characters rather than on pure shock value.
The one thing about this story with which I have trouble believing is the maturity of Jack's narration. I found that he sometimes said things or (claimed to) understand things that seemed too mature, too complex, for a 5-year-old. I found myself wondering, "Would a 5-year-old really say/think that?" I'm not sure if some of these instances are meant to move the story along (i.e. suspension of disbelief) or whether I just don't know 5-year-olds very well. The latter could be the case. :)
At any rate, I'd recommend this book for a longer-term read.
alexy_lynx's review against another edition
3.0
Fue buena lectura para empezar el año pero a la vez fue muy meh.
A pesar de la horrible historia de la mamá que tuvo que criar a un niño en una habitación tan pequeña desde el día que nació sin poder salir no me causo mucho sentimientos.
A pesar de la horrible historia de la mamá que tuvo que criar a un niño en una habitación tan pequeña desde el día que nació sin poder salir no me causo mucho sentimientos.
lunandi's review against another edition
3.0
Not for everybody's taste, hectic to see it from a child's perspective, a book that keeps your mind occupied for a while.
dizzy_reception's review against another edition
5.0
I will write a longer review at a later time.
This is the first book in a long time where I actually cried at the end because I was just that attached to the narrator. At first I was really annoyed by the narrator because he is a five year old child, and I felt like I was having flashbacks to when my son was an argumentative five-year-old, but the story is compelling enough that I was easily able to not only adjust to, but enjoy, the narrative choice.
This is the first book in a long time where I actually cried at the end because I was just that attached to the narrator. At first I was really annoyed by the narrator because he is a five year old child, and I felt like I was having flashbacks to when my son was an argumentative five-year-old, but the story is compelling enough that I was easily able to not only adjust to, but enjoy, the narrative choice.
tarareads517's review against another edition
dark
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I like to reread this book every year. This time, I tried the audiobook which was so good.